Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy / Urs Stäuble (arr.) From heav’n on high

Cantata based on Luther’s Christmas chorale. Arrangement for chamber orchestra (Arr. U. Stäuble) MWV A 10

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Mendelssohn’s popular Christmas cantata on the Lutheran festive hymn “Vom Himmel hoch” (From heav’n on high) is available here in a chamber version, reduced to six wind instruments, string quintet and timpani. This means that the work can also be performed by smaller choirs, as well as choirs with more limited resources. The choir can use the vocal score and/or choral score of the original version.

Original version	Arrangement for chamber orchestra
Soli SBar, Coro SSATB, 2 Fl, 2 Ob, 2 Clt, 2 Fg, 2 Cor, 2 Tr, Timp, 2 Vl, 2 Va, 2 Vc, Cb	Soli SBar, Coro SSATB, Fl, Ob, Clt, Fg, Cor, Tr, Timp, 2 Vl, Va, Vc/Cb

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Print editions & CDs Downloads

Full score, foreword in German and English Carus 40.189/50, ISMN 979-0-007-33791-9 64 pages, paperback

Information for your performance Carus 40.189/51, ISMN 979-0-007-33791-9

Set of parts, complete orchestral parts, for hire, also available in digital form Carus 40.189/69, ISMN 979-0-007-33791-9 23 x 32 cm, without cover

Consisting of

1 x Set of parts, harmony parts, for hire, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, french horn, trumpet, timpani (40.189/59)

3 x Individual part, violin 1, for hire (40.189/61)

3 x Individual part, violin 2, for hire (40.189/62)

2 x Individual part, viola, for hire (40.189/63)

3 x Individual part, violoncello / double bass, for hire (40.189/64)

Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy: From heav’n on high. Cantata based on Luther’s Christmas chorale, Vocal score

Carus 40.189/03, ISMN 979-0-007-06458-7 32 pages, paperback

Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy: From heav’n on high. Cantata based on Luther’s Christmas chorale, Vocal score, XL in large print

Carus 40.189/04, ISMN 979-0-007-18732-3 32 pages, DIN A4

Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy: From heav’n on high. Cantata based on Luther’s Christmas chorale, Choral score

Carus 40.189/05, ISMN 979-0-007-06459-4 12 pages, DIN A4, without cover Minimum order quantity: 20 copies

Full score digital (download), pdf file Carus 40.189/50-010-000, ISMN 979-0-007-33792-6 64 pages

Set of parts digital (download), zip file, pdf file, complete orchestral parts, for hire Carus 40.189/69-010-000, ISMN 979-0-007-33791-9

Consisting of

1 x Set of parts digital (download), zip file, pdf file, harmony parts, for hire (40.189/59-010-000)

3 x Individual part digital (download), pdf file, violin 1, for hire (40.189/61-010-000)

3 x Individual part digital (download), pdf file, violin 2, for hire (40.189/62-010-000)

2 x Individual part digital (download), pdf file, viola, for hire (40.189/63-010-000)

3 x Individual part digital (download), pdf file, violoncello / double bass, for hire (40.189/64-010-000)

Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy: From heav’n on high. Cantata based on Luther’s Christmas chorale, Vocal score digital (download), pdf file

Carus 40.189/03-010-000, ISMN 979-0-007-35133-5 32 pages

Additional product information

Biographical details and role Feedback (1)

Composer
Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy
| 1809-1847

Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy (1809–1847) is regarded as one of the most important composers of the Romantic period. His compositions combine the formal clarity of the Viennese Classical period with the heightened expressiveness of the 19th century. His engagement with the music of Johann Sebastian Bach was particularly influential; he played a key role in its rediscovery through the performance of the St Matthew Passion in 1829.
Among his best-known vocal works are his two oratorios, Paulus and Elias, as well as his chorale cantata Verleih uns Frieden gnädiglich. Furthermore, Mendelssohn worked as a conductor, pianist and music teacher, and made a significant contribution to the professionalisation of the concert scene and to the development of the Leipzig Conservatoire. His work occupies a central position in 19th-century music history and combines a sense of tradition with Romantic sound aesthetics.
Personal details

Songwriter / Librettist
Martin Luther
| 1483-1546

Personal details

Arranger
Urs Stäuble
| 1951

Urs Stäuble studied at the Conservatory of the Music Academy in Basel (organ with Eduard Müller, piano with Klaus Linder) and at the University of Music in Vienna (organ with Michael Radulescu, orchestral conducting with Karl Österreicher, choral conducting with Günther Theuring). In addition to teaching at the Basel Music Academy (1980–2016), he worked as an organist and choir and orchestra conductor in various European countries and Australia. Personal details

Translator
Jean Lunn

Personal details

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Michael writes 06.05.2026

Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy’s cantata ‘Vom Himmel hoch’ is a wonderful treasure: magnificent choruses, exquisitely crafted arias, and an enchanting arrangement of the old Lutheran hymn. Yet the work is performed far too rarely. This is undoubtedly due to the large orchestral score. Now there is a new version by Urs Stäuble, published by Carus. It is extremely practical, finely orchestrated and yet remains true to the original. Hopefully, Mendelssohn’s cantata will now be heard more often: it is well worth it!

*This review was submitted in another language and has been translated for you.

Frequent questions about this work

Can the string parts of the original version (Carus 40.189/00) also be used for the arrangement?

Yes, the string parts in the arrangement have been taken over almost unchanged from the original version. Detailed information about the few changes in the string parts can be found in the epilogue of the full score. However, we also offer the slightly altered string parts on loan with article number Carus 40.189/69.

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