[Das neugeborne Kindelein]

Composer: Melchior Vulpius

Born into a poor family named Fuchs, Melchior Vulpius (b. Wasungen, Henneberg, Germany, c. 1570; d. Weimar, Germany, 1615) had only limited educational oppor­tunities and did not attend the university. He taught Latin in the school in Schleusingen, where he Latinized his surname, and from 1596 until his death served as a Lutheran cantor and teacher in Weimar. A distinguished composer, Vulpius wrote a St. Matthew Passion (1613), nearly two hundred motets in German and Latin, and over four hundred hymn tunes, many of which became popular in Lutheran churches, and some of which introduced the lively Italian balletto rhythms into the German hymn tunes. His music was published in Cantiones Sacrae (1602, 1604), Kirchengesangund Geistliche Lieder… Go to person page >

Tune Information

Title: [Das neugeborne Kindelein]
Composer: Melchior Vulpius (1609)
Meter: 8.8.8.8.8.8
Incipit: 11154 35432 55676
Key: d minor
Copyright: Public Domain

Notes

Also known as JENA, DAS NEUGEBORNE KINDELEIN was originally a chorale melody for Cyriacus Schneegass' text "Das neugeborne Kindelein." Composed by Melchior Vulpius (PHH 397) and published in his Ein Schön Geistlich Gesangbuch (Jena, 1609), the tune was introduced to English congregations primarily because of its inclusion in George R. Woodward's (PHH 403) Cowley Carol Book (1901 ed.). The harmony is simplified from a setting by Johann S. Bach (PHH 7) in his Cantata 122.

DAS NEUGEBORNE KINDELEIN is a beautiful carol tune that allows contemplation of this vibrant text on the Spirit's work. Sing stanza 1 in unison and stanzas 2-5 in parts, possibly with some antiphonal singing. Return to unison singing for stanza 6 with strong accompaniment. Use lighter accompaniment on stanzas 1-5; maintain one pulse per bar. Note how stanza 5 propels into stanza 6!

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook

Timeline

Arrangements

Harmonizations, Introductions, Descants, Intonations

  • Free Harmonizations of Hymn Tunes: By Fifty American Composers
    Composer/Editor D. DeWitt Wasson
    Published By: Hinshaw Music, Inc. (1984) pp. 28-29
  • The Concordia Hymn Prelude Series Volume 17: Holy Communion: B - M
    Composer/Editors Herbert Gotsch; Harald Rohlig
    Published By: Concordia Publishing House (1983) pp. 19
  • Organ Descants for Selected Hymn Tunes
    Composer/Editor G. Winston Cassler
    Published By: Augsburg Publishing House (1972) pp. 34
  • Deck Thyself, My Soul, With Gladness: Organ Music for Communion and General Use
    Composer/Editor David N. Johnson
    Published By: Augsburg Publishing House (1968) pp. 52-53

Organ Solo

  • Hymn Settings for Organ
    Composer/Editor David N. Johnson
    Published By: Augsburg Fortress (2002) pp. 11
  • The Sacred Organ Folio No. 46
    Composer/Editor James Mansfield
    Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (1993) pp. 24
  • The Sacred Organ Journal Volume 27 Number 1 September 1992: A Bi-Monthly Anthology for Church Organists
    Composer/Editors Howard Wells; James Mansfield
    Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (1992) pp. 24
  • The Concordia Hymn Prelude Series Volume 17: Holy Communion: B - M
    Composer/Editors Herbert Gotsch; Harald Rohlig
    Published By: Concordia Publishing House (1983) pp. 17
  • Five Chorale Preludes for Organ
    Composer/Editor Virgil Thomson
    Published By: G. Schirmer, Inc. (1979) pp. 4-6
  • Preludes for the Hymns in Worship Supplement Volume I: Advent, Christmas, Epiphany Nos. 701 - 724
    Composer/Editor Paul G. Bunjes
    Published By: Concordia Publishing House (1971) pp. 36
  • Deck Thyself, My Soul, With Gladness: Organ Music for Communion and General Use
    Composer/Editor David N. Johnson
    Published By: Augsburg Publishing House (1968) pp. 52-55, 57
  • Hymn Preludes for the Liturgical Year Volume IX: Holy Baptism Holy Communion
    Composer/Editor Flor Peeters
    Published By: C. F. Peters Corporation (1966) pp. 20
  • Hymntune Preludes for the Organ Volume IV: Communion General
    Composer/Editor G. Winston Cassler
    Published By: Augsburg Publishing House (1962) pp. 19

Instruments: Instrumental Solo with Organ

  • Hymntune Duets for C Instruments and Organ
    Composer/Editor G. Winston Cassler
    Published By: Augsburg Publishing House (1970) pp. 19

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