Choral fantasia on "O du fröhliche" (op. 54, 1975)
written for Günter Jena and the St Michaelis Choir Hamburg
2 mixed choirs, 2 trumpets (high Bb and C) and 4 organs
Duration: 2 mixed choirs
Edward-Tarr-Bläser-Ensemble | G. Dickel, T. Dittmann, J. Henschen, J. Domagala - organs | St. Michaelis-Choir | conducter: Günther Jena
Title: Choral fantasia on "O du fröhliche" (1975) - Length: 38 pages - Date: 5 Nov. 75 - Location: Bavarian State Library, Munich
Bertold Hummel Foundation
It really is a spectacular sight when four organs, two choirs and several wind ensembles play together at the same time. At the “Music for Advent and Christmas” concert in St Michael’s Church, conducted by Günther Jena, a composition for this unusual ensemble formed the highlight and finale. Bertold Hummel had written a fantasia based on the Sicilian Christmas carol “O du fröhliche, o du selige” especially for this concert. All the organs and positive organs in “Michel”, along with their locations, were incorporated into the musical performance. Hummel combines apocalyptic foreboding with the joyful message of Christmas. Particularly impressive were the masses of sound emanating from virtually all four corners of the church (from three galleries and the chancel).
Dear Mr Hummel,
if you have managed to make up your mind at all, may I remind you once again of our magnificent Christmas production. I have already discussed this with Edward Tarr. (Please do not make his part or the part of the first organist too easy!) For the large choir (please not more difficult than ‘Silent Night’ – which will be performed again on this occasion), I would need the sheet music by 12 November.
By the way: I would like to performyour Fantasia in October 1977as part of a concert dedicated to B-A-C-H .
Kind regards
Hamburg, 29 September 1975, Günter Jena