Christmas in Vienna
| Confirma hoc Deus (Confirm this, oh God) Offertory for four voices a cappella |
Jacobus Gallus (c. 1550–1591) Words: Psalm 68(67):29 |
| De torrente in via bibet (He shall drink from the stream by the way) from Dixit Dominus, HWV 232 | George Frideric Handel (1685–1756) Words: Psalm 110:8 Arr. Oliver Stech |
| Macht hoch die Tür (The mighty gates of earth unbar) | Johann Anastasius Freylinghausen (1670–1739) Text: Georg Weissel (1590–1635) Arr. Gerald Wirth |
| Et exsultavit spiritus meus (And my spirit rejoiceth) from Magnificat, BWV 243 |
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750) |
| Abendlied zu Gott (Evening song for God), Hob. XXVc: 9 (1796) | Joseph Haydn (1732–1809) Words: Christian Fürchtegott Gellert (1715–1769) |
| Mariä Wiegenlied (Mary’s lullaby) from Schlichte Weisen (Simple melodies), Op. 76/52 | Max Reger (1873–1916) Words: Martin Boelitz (1874–1918) |
| There Is No Rose of Such Vertue This Little Babe, So Few Days Old from A Ceremony of Carols, Op. 28 |
Benjamin Britten (1913–1976) Words: Robert Southwell (c. 1561–1595) |
| Schlaf, Jesulein zart (Sleep, gentle Jesus) | Peter von Brachel Hymnal, Cologne, 1623 Arr. Micha Sengschmid |
| O salutaris hostia (O saving sacrifice) | Ēriks Ešenvalds (b. 1977) Words: Thomas Aquinas (c. 1225–1274) |
| Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day | 16th-century carol Arr. John Rutter (b. 1945) |
INTERMISSION
| God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen | Old English carol Arr. Gerald Wirth |
| La virgen lava pañales (The virgin washes the swaddling clothes) |
Traditional villancico from Spain Arr. Robert DeCormier |
| El burrito de Belén (The little donkey from Bethlehem) Villancico from Venezuela |
Hugo Blanco (1940–2015) |
| Ein Kind geboren gar wunderschön (A beautiful child is born) |
Sacred lullaby from Lower Austria Arr. Gerald Wirth |
| Still, still, still (Softly, softly, softly) | Sacred lullaby from Salzburg Arr. Gerald Wirth |
| Am Weihnachtsbaum die Lichter brennen (The candles are alight on the Christmas tree) |
Folk song from Saxony and Thuringia, Germany Words: Gustav Hermann Kletke (1813–1886), 1841 Arr. Gerald Wirth |
| Leise rieselt der Schnee (Softly falls the snow) | Eduard Ebel (1839–1905) Arr. Gerald Wirth |
| Mister Santa Arr. Ed Lojeski |
Pat Ballard (1899–1960) |
| “Who Would Imagine a King,” from the 1996 film The Preacher’s Wife | Meryvn Warren (b. 1964) and Hallerin Hilton Hill (b. 1964) Arr. Keith Christopher |
| See, amid the Winter’s Snow | Sir John Goss (1800–1880) Text: Edward Caswall (1814–1878) Arr. Dan Forrest |
| Go, Tell It on the Mountain | Traditional Spiritual Arr. Michael Engelhardt |
Texts and Translations
| Jacobus Gallus Confirma hoc Deus Words: Psalm 68(67):29 for four voices a cappella |
Confirm this, oh God |
| Confirma hoc Deus, quod operatus es in nobis a templo tuo quod est in Jerusalem. Alleluia |
Confirm this, oh God, what you have caused in us from your temple in Jerusalem. Halleluja |
| George Frideric Handel De torrente in via bibet from Dixit Dominus, HWV 232 Words: Psalm 110:8 Arr. Oliver Stech |
He shall drink from the stream by the way |
| De torrente in via bibet propterea exaltabit caput. |
He will drink from the stream by the way, therefore he will lift up his head. |
| Johann Anastasius Freylinghausen Macht hoch die Tür Text: Georg Weissel Arr. Gerald Wirth |
The mighty gates of earth unbar |
| Macht hoch die Tür, die Tor macht weit; es kommt der Herr der Herrlichkeit, ein König aller Königreich, ein Heiland aller Welt zugleich, der Heil und Segen mit sich bringt; derhalben jauchzt, mit Freuden singt: Gelobet sei mein Gott, mein Schöpfer reich von Rat.Er ist gerecht, ein Helfer wert, Sanftmütigkeit ist sein Gefährt, sein Königskron’ ist Heiligkeit, sein Zepter ist Barmherzigkeit; all uns’re Not zum End’ er bringt, derhalben jauchzt, mit Freuden singt: Gelobet sei mein Gott, mein Heiland groß von Tat. Komm, o mein Heiland Jesu Christ, |
Open the door wide, open the gates wide, for the Lord of Glory arrives. King of all Kingdoms, at the same time Savior of all the world, who brings with him salvation and blessings. So rejoice, and sing with joy: My God be praised, my creator and great adviser.He is just, and a valuable helper, gentleness is what drives him. His crown is holiness, his sceptre is mercy; He ends all our hardships. So rejoice, and sing with gladness: My God be praised, my Savior of mighty deeds. Come, oh my Savior Jesus Christ, |
| Johann Sebastian Bach Et exultavit spiritus meus from Magnificat, BWV 243 Words: Luke 1:47 |
And my spirit rejoices |
| Et exultavit spiritus meus in Deo salutari meo. | And my spirit rejoices in God, my savior. |
| Joseph Haydn Abendlied zu Gott, Hob. XXVc : 9 (1796) Words: Christian Fürchtegott Gellert |
Evening song for God |
| Herr, der du mir das Leben bis diesen Tag gegeben, dich bet ich kindlich an! Ich bin viel zu geringe der Treue, die ich singe, und die du heut an mir getan. |
Lord, you who have given me life Until this day, I pray to you as a child would. I am much too insignificant Compared to the faith of which I sing And which you have shown me today. |
| Max Reger Mariä Wiegenlied from Schlichte Weisen (Simple Melodies), Op. 76/52 Words: Martin Boelitz |
Mary’s lullaby |
| Maria sitzt im Rosenhag Und wiegt ihr Jesuskind. Durch die Blätter leise Weht der warme Sommerwind.Zu ihren Füßen singt Ein buntes Vögelein: Schlaf, Kindlein süsse, Schlaf nun ein! Hold ist dein Lächeln, |
Mary sits in the rose garden And rocks her baby Jesus. Through the leaves softly Blows the warm summer wind.At her feet, a multicolored bird sings: Sleep, sweet child, sleep now. Your smile is precious, |
| Benjamin Britten from A Ceremony of Carols, Op. 28There is no rose of such vertu (Anonymus) |
This little Babe so few days old Text: Robert Southwell |
| There is no rose of such vertu As is the rose that bare Jesu. Alleluia. For in this rose containèd was Heaven and earth in litel space, Res miranda. [A miracle.] By that rose we may well see There be one God in persons three, Pares forma. [Equal in nature.] The aungels sungen the shepherds to Gloria in excelsis Deo, Gaudeamus. [Let us rejoice.] Leave we all this werldly merth And follow we this joyful birth, Transeamus. [Let us pass over.] |
This little Babe so few days old, Is come to rifle Satan’s fold; All hell doth at his presence quake, Though he himself for cold do shake; For in this weak unarmed wise The gates of hell he will surprise. With tears he fights and wins the field, His naked breast stands for a shield. His battering shot are babish cries, His arrows looks of weeping eyes, His martial ensigns Cold and Need, And feeble Flesh his warrior’s steed.His camp is pitched in a stall, His bulwark but a broken wall; The crib his trench, haystalks his stakes; Of shepherds he his muster makes; And thus, as sure his foe to wound, The angels’ trumps alarum sound. My soul with Christ join thou in fight; Stick to the tents that he hath pight. Within his crib is surest ward; This little Babe will be thy guard. If thou wilt foil thy foes with joy, Then flit not from this heavenly Boy. |
| Peter von Brachel Hymnal, Cologne, 1623 Schlaf, Jesulein zart Arr. Micha Sengschmid |
Sleep, gentle Jesus |
| Schlaf, Jesulein zart, das Betterl ist hart das Kripperl ist kalt schlaf, Jesulein, bald. Ach, schlaf’ und tu die Äugelein zu Gib uns, schenk uns die ewige Ruh.O Jesu, mein Kind, kalt wehet der Wind, es fallet der Schnee tut Jesus, dir weh. Ach, schlaf’ und tu die Äugelein zu Gib uns, schenk uns die ewige Ruh. Ei, schweige doch Wind, Sieh’, Jesulein, hier |
Sleep, gentle Jesus, the little bed is hard, the crèche is cold, sleep soon, little Jesus. Oh, sleep and close your little eyes, give us, grant us eternal rest.Oh Jesus, my child, the cold wind blows, the snow falls, to hurt you, Jesus. Oh, sleep and close your little eyes, give us, grant us eternal rest. Oh, be quiet, wind, Look, little Jesus, |
| Ēriks Ešenvalds O salutaris hostia Words: Thomas Aquinas |
O saving sacrifice |
| O salutaris Hostia, Quae caeli pandis ostium: Bella premunt hostilia, Da robur, fer auxilium. Uni trinoque Domino Sit sempiterna gloria, Qui vitam sine termino Nobis donet in patria. Amen. |
O saving sacrifice, who opens the gates of heaven wide: While hostile forces exert pressure, give strength, deliver aid. To the One and Threefold Lord be everlasting glory, who gives us life without end in (our) true home. Amen. |
| Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day 16th century carol Arr. John Rutter |
God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen Old English carol Arr. Gerald Wirth |
| Tomorrow shall be my dancing day, I would my true love did so chance to see the legend of my play, to call my true love to my dance.Chorus Sing, oh! my love, oh! my love, my love, my love, This have I done for my true love. Then was I born of a virgin pure. Chorus In a manger laid and wrapped I was, Chorus INTERMISSION |
God rest ye merry, gentlemen Let nothing you dismay For Jesus Christ our Savior Was born upon this day To save us all from Satan’s power When we were gone astray O tidings of comfort and joy.In Bethlehem in Jewry This blessed Babe was born And laid within a manger Upon this blessèd morn To which His Mother Mary Did nothing take in scorn O tidings of comfort and joy. From God our heavenly Father |
| La virgen lava pañales Traditional villancico from Spain Arr. Robert DeCormier |
The virgin washes the swaddling clothes |
| La virgen lava pañales y los tiende en el romero; y los pajaritos cantan y el agua se va riendo.Pastores, venid, pastores, llegad, adorar al niño que ha nacido ya. El Niño Dios se ha perdido Pastores, venid, … |
The virgin washes the swaddling and places it on the rosemary and the birds are singing and the water flows by cheerfully.Shepherds, come, shepherds, come, adore the child, who has been born. The divine child was lost Shepherds, come, … |
| Hugo Blanco El burrito de Belén Villancico from Venezuela |
The little donkey from Bethlehem |
| Con mi burrito sabanero voy camino de Belén si me ven, si me ven, voy camino de Belén el lucerito mañanero ilumina mi sendero si me ven, si me ven, voy camino de Belén con mi cuatrico voy cantando, mi burrito va trotando si me ven, si me ven, voy camino de BelénTuqui tuqui tuqui, tuqui tuquita apurate mi burrito que ya vamos a llegar Tuqui tuqui tuqui, tuqui tuquitu apurate mi burrito que vamos a ver a Jesús |
With my little Savannah donkey, I am on my way to Bethlehem, if they see me, if they see me, I am on my way to Bethlehem, the little morning light will shine on my path, if they see me, if they see me, I am on my way to Bethlehem, with my little cuatro I sing along, my little donkey trots along if they see me, if they see me, I am on my way to BethlehemTuqui tuqui tuqui, tuqui tuquita Hurry, my little donkey, we are about to arrive, Tuqui tuqui tuqui, tuqui tuquitu Hurry, my little donkey, we are going to see Jesus. |
| Ein Kind geboren gar wunderschön | A beautiful child is born |
| Ein Kind geboren gar wunderschön Zur Erd’ ist kommen aus Sternenhöhen Da liegt im Stalle der hohe Gast Den aller Welt Gebäud’ nicht fasst. Halleluja.Auf rauem Lager von Heu und Stroh Wie macht der Himmel die Erde froh Anstimmen Engel den Friedensgesang Und Berg und Tal erfüllt Jubelklang. Halleluja. |
A beautiful child is born He came to earth from starry heights The high guest lies in the stable The entire world cannot contain him. Hallelujah.On a rough bed of hay and straw Heaven brings Earth great joy Angels begin to sing of peace And mountains and valleys resound with sounds of joy. Hallelujah |
| Still, still, still | Softly, softly, softly |
| Still, still, still, Weil’s Kindlein schlafen will. Maria tut es niedersingen ihre grosse Lieb’ darbringen. Still, still, still, Weil’s Kindlein schlafen will.Schlaf, schlaf, schlaf, Mein liebes Kindlein schlaf! Die Englein tun schön musizieren Bei dem Kindlein jubilieren, Schlaf, schlaf, schlaf, Mein liebes Kindlein schlaf! Gross, gross, gross, |
Quiet, quiet, quiet, the child is trying to sleep. The angels are rejoicing beautifully, And make music by the crèche. Quiet, quiet, quiet, the child is trying to sleep.Sleep, sleep, sleep, my dear little child, sleep! Mary sings you to sleep, Offering you her great love. Sleep, sleep, sleep, my dear little child, sleep! Great, great, great, |
| Am Weihnachtsbaum die Lichter brennen Folk song from Saxony and Thuringia, Germany Words: Gustav Hermann Kletke, 1841 Arr. Gerald Wirth |
The candles are alight on the Christmas tree |
| Am Weihnachtsbaum die Lichter brennen, Wie glänzt er festlich, lieb und mild, Als spräch’ er: “Wollt in mir erkennen Getreuer Hoffnung stilles Bild.”Die Kinder stehn mit hellen Blicken, Das Auge lacht, es lacht das Herz, O fröhlich, seliges Entzücken, Die Alten schauen himmelwärts. Zwei Engel sind hereingetreten, Kein Ohr hat ihren Spruch vernommen |
The candles are alight on the Christmas tree, glowing festively, warm, and cosy, As if the tree wanted to say, “You shall see in me an image of staunch hope.”The children are standing by, eyes bright, with a laughing eye and a laughing heart. O cheerful, happy bliss, as the older generation looks up to the heavens. Two angels have entered, No ear has heard their speech, |
| Eduard Ebel Leise rieselt der Schnee Arr. Gerald Wirth |
Softly falls the snow |
| Leise rieselt der Schnee Still und starr liegt der See, Weihnachtlich glänzet der Wald, freue dich, Christkind kommt bald.In den Herzen ist’s warm Still schweigt Kummer und Harm Sorge des Herzens verhallt: freue dich, Christkind kommt bald. |
Softly falls the snow, Still and motionless lies the lake, The forest sparkles with Christmas, Be happy, the Christ child is coming.In the hearts it is warm Sorrow and pain are silent, And your heart’s pain dies off: Be happy, the Christ child is coming. |
| Pat Ballard Mister Santa Arr. Ed Lojeski |
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| Mister Santa Bring me some toys Bring merry Christmas To all girls and boys And every night I’ll go to sleep singing And dream about The presents you’ll be bringingSanta Promise me please Give every reindeer A hug and a squeeze I’ll be good As good can be Mister Santa Don’t forget me Mister Santa Santa Oh Santa |
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| Meryvn Warren and Hallerin Hilton Hill “Who Would Imagine a King,” from the 1996 film The Preacher’s Wife Arr. Keith Christopher |
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| Mommies and daddies always believe That their little angels are special indeed And you could grow up to be anything But who would imagine a kingA shepherd or teacher is what you could be Or maybe a fisherman out on the sea Or maybe a carpenter building things But who would imagine a king It was so clear when the wise men arrived One day an angel said quietly Who would imagine, who could imagine |
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| Sir John Goss See, amid the Winter’s Snow Text: Edward Caswall Arr. Dan Forrest |
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| See, amid the winter’s snow, Born for us on Earth below, See, the tender Lamb appears, Promised from eternal years.Chorus: Hail, thou ever blessed morn, Hail redemption’s happy dawn, Sing through all Jerusalem, Christ is born in Bethlehem. Hallelujah.Lo, within a manger lies He who built the starry skies; He who, throned in height sublime, Sits among the cherubim. Chorus Sacred Infant, all divine, Chorus |
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| Traditional Spiritual Go, Tell It on the Mountain Arr. Michael Engelhardt |
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| Chorus Go, tell it on the mountain Over the hills and everywhere Go, tell it on the mountain That Jesus Christ is bornWhile shepherds kept their watching O’er silent flocks by night Behold throughout the heavens There shone a Holy lightChorusThe shepherds feared and trembled When, lo! Above the Earth Rang out the angel chorus That hailed our Savior’s birth Chorus Down in a lowly manger Chorus |