Music: Franz Krenn, Text: Ferry Krauss, Arrangement: Franz Watz
Franz Krenn (1816 - 1897) was an organist, a conductor and later also teacher at the Conservatory of music of the 'Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde' in Vienna. The Graduale is part of the Roman Catholic liturgy: the vocal soloist sings a psalm or part of a psalm and the audience answers by singing the chorus 'Responsorium' (a kind of answer). The pastoral text is clearly related to the Christmas story. Krenn has written this piece for one male voice, choir and string accompaniment. This version can be performed with singers and orchestra, without singing or with a mixed instrumentation. The solo male voice can also be performed by a tenor instrument. The four-part score for mixed choir has been arranged for wind ensemble (at least a quartet). The original score for strings has been arranged for large wind orchestra, but thanks to the cue notes the piece can also be performed by smaller ensembles in a most satisfactory way. The numerous instrumentation possibilities are clearly indicated in the instrumentation list and range from a wind quartet to a full band. The percussion parts are ‘ad libitum'.
