Die Hirten bei der Krippe zu Bethlehem

In the words of Karl Wilhelm Ramler, this cantata is one of the most beautiful Christmas compositions of the 18th century. Written for a performance in 1759, it combines festive trumpet sounds with moving chorale settings.

Telemann has used his musical resources with moderation and restraint, allowing the chorus to appear at the central passages in both sections and painting an unobtrusive pastoral background for the Christmas setting. A worthy alternative in any Christmas concert.

Our edition contains an English translation of the German text in an appendix and follows the Urtext of the Telemann Edition (vol. 30), thereby providing a reliabletext reflecting the latest findings of scholarship.