Die Freude der Hirten über die Geburt Jesu [Christmas oratorio HoWV I.1]

1780. Folio. Manuscript score in pen and ink by copyist N.G. Vigittil. [4 (title, libretto), 101 (score), 1 (blank)] pp. Contemporary paste-paper wrappers, printed label on front cover; some wear to covers with loss at lower spine end, first few leaves lightly soiled and worn, occasional foxing and toning, some unobtrusive pencil annotations, book-plate A fine contemporary copyist manuscript of Homilius's Christmas oratorio, first published in 1777 in Frankfurt. Complete score in an accomplished hand comprising decorative calligraphic title, libretto, and the complete parts for soprano, alto, tenor, bass, organ, strings, woodwinds, brass and timpani, notated in brown ink on up to twenty single-stave systems per page. RISM records 10 partial or complete manuscript copies of the Christmas oratorio dating from the late 18th to early 19th century. The present example is unrecorded and the copyist, N.G. Vigittil, does not appear in any RISM records.Homilius (1714-1785) was a German organist and composer, allegedly a pupil of J.S. Bach, and organist of the Frauenkirche in Dresden. He was well regarded in his time for his skill at the organ and was considered the leading late Baroque composer of Protestant church music. His reputation lasted through the late 19th-century then declined precipitously. There have been various attempts to revive his reputation, often hampered by the complexities of sorting the various manuscript copies of his work most of his work circulated in manuscript, with his Christmas oratorio one of his few works to see contemporary publication. The 21st century has finally seen a genuine rediscovery of Homilius, with more of his works, his motets in particular, seeing publication and increased performance, and in 2014 the publication of Uwe Wolf's thematic catalogue (Homilius Werkverzeichnis or HoWV). REFERENCE: RISM A/I/4 H 6434, A/I/12 HH 6434