The Star of Bethlehem – Carus Choir Coach

Scoring: Soli SB, Coro SATB, 2 Fl, 2 Ob, Eh, 2 Clt, 2 Fg, 2 Cor, 2 Tr, 3 Trb, Timp, 2 Vl, Va, Vc, Cb, Org, Arpa

Der Stern von Bethlehem is based on a text by Rheinberger’s wife. The composer created an impressive portrayal of the well-known story in nine movements. His masterly compositional style demands a confident, but precisely-judged choral sound, particularly in the louder, more imposing movements. There is always the threat of insecure hesitancy here.

Please note that the performance of the work used as a basis for this Coach is in a slightly shortened version in movement V.

The Carus Choir Coach offers choir singers the unique opportunity to study and learn their own, individual choral parts within the context of the sound of the entire choir and orchestra. For every vocal range a separate Audio or MP3 containing each choir part is available. The Carus Choir Coach is based on recorded interpretations by renowned artists who have performed the work from carefully prepared Carus Urtext editions. Each choir part is presented in three different versions:

• Original recording
• Coach: each part is accompanied by the piano, with the original recording sounding in the background
• Coach in slow mode: the tempo of the coach slows down to 70% of the original version – through this reduction passages can be learned more effectively.

Performers: Rita Streich (soprano), Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau (bariton) – Chor des Bayerischen Rundfunks, Symphonie-Orchester Graunke – Robert Heger