To God on high alone be praised (Allein Gott in der Hoh sei Ehr)

SKU: CA.3911900

ISBN 9790007055547. Key: B flat major. Language: German/English.

In his Christmas cantata Allein Gott in der Hoh sei Ehr (To God, on high alone be praise), Telemann celebrates the birth of Jesus as a symbol of the reconciliation with God and as a message of salvation for a sinful humanity. The cantata makes provision for a competent baritone soloist who sings two challenging arias, as well as a four-part choir which provides the framework for the composition with two unadorned chorale verses and, as a climax, intones the Christmas paean from Luke 2:14 Ehre sei Gott in der Hohe (Praise to God in his high heaven). In the first aria, the muted sounds of the optional high trumpet accompany the words O Freudengetone, wie lieblich, wie schone (O music of blessing! How lovely, how pleasing), evoking a gentle Christmas luster.