Touching

Even during Hugo Distler's lifetime (1908-1942), his Christmas story op. 10 is one of the most popular sacred works from his pen. He wrote it in 1933 at the age of just 25 during a very fruitful creative phase. It was printed in the same year, but only had a single edition of 2000 copies, which did not detract from its popularity. The premiere also took place in Cologne in 1933.

In terms of content, the main part of the work is based on the New Testament stories of the evangelists Luke and Matthew. Formally, Distler's Christmas story, as he himself emphasized in the preface, is based on the work of Heinrich Schütz. It thus fits in with the efforts of the time to renew church music through recollection. A motet-like introductory and final chorus frame the action. In addition, the story is told by seven variations on A rose has sprung pervaded. The overall mood is cheerful, restrained and delicate. The work is scored with recitatives and the polyphonic movements are very demanding.

Hugo Distler, The Christmas Story op. 10, edited by Klaus-Martin Bresgott, score, CV 10.011, € 18.00, Carus, Stuttgart 2015