Christmas Suite for chamber orchestra (op. 13b, 1950)
I. Andante, II. Allegro con brio, III. "Pastorale, IV. Scherzando, V. Finale (Passacaglia)
Chamber orchestra (1.1.1.1 - 1.1.0.0 - Strings)
Duration: 13 minutes
Kleines Unterhaltungsorchester des SWF | Willi Stech
Lapin Kamariorkesteri | John Storgårds
Title: Christmas Suite (for chamber orchestra) - Length: 24 pages - Date: 1950 - Location: Bavarian State Library, Munich
Schott Music score: Con 256 / ISMN: M-001-15144-3, set of parts: CON 256-50 / M-001-15221-1
Misprint: score and parts:
1st movement, bar 62: Vcl: 3rd crotchet e instead of f
2nd movement, bar 57: Vcl: solo instead of tutti | bar 131, 6th quaver b instead of b
3rd movement, bar 85: Clear: 2nd dotted crotchet a whole tone lower
4th movement, bar 29: Kb: 2nd crotchet c instead of a
First edition: Schuberth & Co., Hamburg 1990
op. 13b, IV Scherzando
Bertold Hummel | Christmas Suite op. 13b | Jena Philharmonic Orchestra
In the finale from Bertold Hummel's Christmas Suite op. 13b, which was also the finale of the concert evening, the college presented the impressive fullness of all its orchestras and choirs. The repetition of this oratorio-style movement also formed the encore.
The orchestra played the contemporary composer Bertold Hummel's "Christmas Suite" in an entertaining, light-footed and technically confident manner, just as he intended. Hummel obviously enjoyed incorporating well-known Christmas melodies such as "Vom Himmel hoch da komm ich her" and "Morgen kommt der Weihnachtsmann" into his work, which the musicians realised perfectly.
Foreword (Schott Music Con 256)
"Imagine, with all this going on, a few days ago I was commissioned by SWF to write Christmas music for orchestra." Bertold Hummel, then newly in love, told his future wife in October 1950. On his 25th birthday, he completed the Christmas Suite, which was not only his first public commission, but also his first ever orchestral work. On 28 December 1950, the work was played over the frequencies of Südwestfunk in an afternoon Christmas concert.
The composer's great enthusiasm during the work is conveyed in each of the five movements of this light-footed work. Bertold Hummel skilfully interweaves well-known Christmas melodies with wit and technical confidence. For example, the chorale"Vom Himmel hoch da komm ich her" is heard once as a counterpoint to"In dulci jubilo" (1st movement), once as a cheeky trumpet signal (2nd movement) and in the finale jubilantly over a festive passacaglia. The well-known carols"Es ist ein Ros entsprungen" (2nd movement) and"Vom Himmel hoch, o Englein kommt" (3rd movement) emphasise the festive character of the composition, while the scherzando with the cheerful"Morgen kommt der Weihnachtsmann" (Tomorrow Father Christmas is coming) (based on the French children's song Ah! vous dirai-je, Maman) sets the mood for a merry Christmas season.
Young listeners will also enjoy this entertaining piece due to the recognition of the popular melodies, so that the Christmas Suite will not only find its place in festive Christmas programmes but also in youth concerts.
Martin Hummel
August 2007