Weihnachts Ouvertüre (Christmas Overture) - Otto Nicolai

For Choir [ad lib.] and concert band.

Otto Nicolai (1810-1849) was a German composer and conductor. His is best known for his opera 'Die lustigen Weiber von Windsor'. Besides this opera he composed works for orchestra, piano, choir and solo voice. In 1833 Nicolai composed his 'Weihnachts Ouvertüre' for orchestra, organ and mixed choir (ad lib.). This overture is based on the choral “Von Himmel hoch, da komm’ ich her” and was first performed in the Garrison Church in Potsdam in may (!) 1833. Dutch arranger Andre Bodin transcribed this overture for Symphonic Band and Choir (ad lib.).