A charming setting in several verses of this Christmas hymn, for high and low choir.
Altenburg was noted for his settings of Lutheran hymns.
This setting comes from Altenburg’s Musicalische Weynacht – und new jahrs Zierde Das ist Weynacht – und New Jahrs Gesänge / zu 4. 5. 6. 8. und 9. Stimmen, published in Erfurt in 1621
Altenburg sets three verses of the hymn, but each verse appears both in Latin and German and takes a slightly different approach, but the alleluias provide a constant element.
Translation:
1-2 A child is born in Bethlehem, therefore let Jerusalem rejoice, Alleluia
3-4 Here he lies in the cradle. His reign is without end, Alleluia
5-6 The ox and ass acknowledge that He is the Lord , Alleluia
(Bernard Thomas – 1993)
