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This single‑session, two‑hour lecture introduces Heinrich Schütz’s Christmas Story (Historia der Geburt Jesu Christi), composed around 1660 and regarded as one of the great narrative works of the early German Baroque. Set within the long Lutheran tradition of musical “historia,” Schütz’s work combines elegant recitative narration, colourful instrumental interludes, and vivid character portrayals, all shaped by his experience of Italian musical style under Giovanni Gabrieli and Monteverdi. We will explore the liturgical context, structure, instrumentation, and artistic aims of the Christmas Story, and examine how Schütz’s sensitive declamation and imaginative timbral writing bring the biblical narrative to life. Through guided listening and discussion, the session highlights why this work remains central to the history of sacred music.
What will we cover?
• Heinrich Schütz: biography, Venetian training, and late‑career context • The Lutheran “historia” tradition and the work’s original liturgical function • Structure and narrative design of the Christmas Story • The Evangelist’s role and Schütz’s expressive recitative style • Characterisation through timbre: the use of obbligato instruments to depict individual roles • Choruses, Symphoniae, and the work’s distinctive musical architecture • Performance history, modern editions, and contemporary interpretations
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
• Understand the historical, liturgical, and stylistic context of Schütz’s Christmas Story • Identify the work’s key structural elements: narration, choruses, instrumental symphonies, and character parts • Recognise Schütz’s approach to text‑setting and expressive recitative • Appreciate the role of instrumental colour in shaping dramatic meaning • Discuss the work’s significance for the development of German sacred music leading toward Bach
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
No prior musical training is required. The session is suitable for learners at all levels. An interest in early Baroque music, sacred works, or the German choral tradition will be helpful, but beginners are warmly welcome. English translations of the German text will be provided.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
The single session will comprise combinations of lecture, question-and-answer, guided listening, video and manuscript study. You may wish to do extra reading after this class and suggestions will be made for this. There will also be Spotify and Youtube playlists for this course if you wish to do extra listening.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
You may also wish to purchase some of the music books or recordings discussed in class, for further reading and study: links to these materials will be available online after the session.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
To find out more about music history classes Music history courses in London and online which lists our full programme of classes ordered by term, and by day of the week. You may then click on each title to read the full course outline.
Edward teaches music history and theory at City lit. His specialism is early music (medieval, renaissance and baroque) and he completed a PhD in historical musicology at King's College London (2013) on the performance of medieval music. Outside of teaching, Edward is a regular contributor to Gramophone magazine and has lectured for Dartington International Summer School, London's Southbank Centre and The British Library. He has also worked as a researcher for BBC Proms and written for the journal Early Music (OUP). His essays are published in: The Cambridge Encyclopaedia of Historical Performance in Music, (Cambridge University Press); The Montpellier Codex: Studies in Medieval and Renaissance Music 16 (Boydell Press); Recomposing the Past: Representations of Early Music on Stage and Screen (Ashgate 2018); and 30-Second Classical Music (Ivy Press).
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/great-works-schutz-s-christmas-story3034519Great works: Schütz's Christmas Storyhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/g/r/great_works_sch_tz_s_christmas_story_-_md040c-1080.jpg3939GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Performing arts/Courses/Performing arts/Music/Courses/Performing arts/Music/Music history/Courses/New courses228513141351136317431228513141351<p>Discover the expressive beauty and musical storytelling of Schütz’s Christmas Story.</p>003034363Great works: Schütz's Christmas Story3939https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/g/r/great_works_sch_tz_s_christmas_story_-_md040c-1080_1.jpgInStockDaytimeMonKeeley StreetAvailable coursesOne-off onlyWeekday2026-12-07T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allDec 2026Performing artsMD040C3939Great works: Schütz's Christmas Story393939Edward Breengreat-works-schutz-s-christmas-story/md040c-2627<p>Discover the expressive beauty and musical storytelling of Schütz’s Christmas Story.</p>0000-Available|2026-12-07 00:00:00<p>This single‑session, two‑hour lecture introduces Heinrich Schütz’s Christmas Story (Historia der Geburt Jesu Christi), composed around 1660 and regarded as one of the great narrative works of the early German Baroque. Set within the long Lutheran tradition of musical “historia,” Schütz’s work combines elegant recitative narration, colourful instrumental interludes, and vivid character portrayals, all shaped by his experience of Italian musical style under Giovanni Gabrieli and Monteverdi. We will explore the liturgical context, structure, instrumentation, and artistic aims of the Christmas Story, and examine how Schütz’s sensitive declamation and imaginative timbral writing bring the biblical narrative to life. Through guided listening and discussion, the session highlights why this work remains central to the history of sacred music.</p><p>Discover the expressive beauty and musical storytelling of Schütz’s Christmas Story.</p><p>• Heinrich Schütz: biography, Venetian training, and late‑career context<br/>• The Lutheran “historia” tradition and the work’s original liturgical function<br/>• Structure and narrative design of the Christmas Story<br/>• The Evangelist’s role and Schütz’s expressive recitative style<br/>• Characterisation through timbre: the use of obbligato instruments to depict individual roles<br/>• Choruses, Symphoniae, and the work’s distinctive musical architecture<br/>• Performance history, modern editions, and contemporary interpretations</p><p>• Understand the historical, liturgical, and stylistic context of Schütz’s Christmas Story<br/>• Identify the work’s key structural elements: narration, choruses, instrumental symphonies, and character parts<br/>• Recognise Schütz’s approach to text‑setting and expressive recitative<br/>• Appreciate the role of instrumental colour in shaping dramatic meaning<br/>• Discuss the work’s significance for the development of German sacred music leading toward Bach</p><p>No prior musical training is required. The session is suitable for learners at all levels. An interest in early Baroque music, sacred works, or the German choral tradition will be helpful, but beginners are warmly welcome. English translations of the German text will be provided.</p>The single session will comprise combinations of lecture, question-and-answer, guided listening, video and manuscript study. You may wish to do extra reading after this class and suggestions will be made for this.<br/>There will also be Spotify and Youtube playlists for this course if you wish to do extra listening.You may also wish to purchase some of the music books or recordings discussed in class, for further reading and study: links to these materials will be available online after the session.<p>To find out more about music history classes <a href="https://https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/performing-arts/music/music-history" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> Music history courses in London and online</a> which lists our full programme of classes ordered by term, and by day of the week. You may then click on each title to read the full course outline.</p>MusicMusic historyvirtual393939MD040CNONEMon07/12/2611:00 - 13:0011:0013:001 session1One-off onlyDaytimeWeekdayKSKeeley StreetEdward BreenBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-12-07T00:00:00+00:00Dec 2026Performing arts3939Great works: Schütz's Christmas Storygreat-works-schutz-s-christmas-story/md040c-2627<p>Discover the expressive beauty and musical storytelling of Schütz’s Christmas Story.</p>0000-Available|2026-12-07 00:00:00<p>This single‑session, two‑hour lecture introduces Heinrich Schütz’s Christmas Story (Historia der Geburt Jesu Christi), composed around 1660 and regarded as one of the great narrative works of the early German Baroque. Set within the long Lutheran tradition of musical “historia,” Schütz’s work combines elegant recitative narration, colourful instrumental interludes, and vivid character portrayals, all shaped by his experience of Italian musical style under Giovanni Gabrieli and Monteverdi. We will explore the liturgical context, structure, instrumentation, and artistic aims of the Christmas Story, and examine how Schütz’s sensitive declamation and imaginative timbral writing bring the biblical narrative to life. Through guided listening and discussion, the session highlights why this work remains central to the history of sacred music.</p><p>Discover the expressive beauty and musical storytelling of Schütz’s Christmas Story.</p><p>• Heinrich Schütz: biography, Venetian training, and late‑career context<br/>• The Lutheran “historia” tradition and the work’s original liturgical function<br/>• Structure and narrative design of the Christmas Story<br/>• The Evangelist’s role and Schütz’s expressive recitative style<br/>• Characterisation through timbre: the use of obbligato instruments to depict individual roles<br/>• Choruses, Symphoniae, and the work’s distinctive musical architecture<br/>• Performance history, modern editions, and contemporary interpretations</p><p>• Understand the historical, liturgical, and stylistic context of Schütz’s Christmas Story<br/>• Identify the work’s key structural elements: narration, choruses, instrumental symphonies, and character parts<br/>• Recognise Schütz’s approach to text‑setting and expressive recitative<br/>• Appreciate the role of instrumental colour in shaping dramatic meaning<br/>• Discuss the work’s significance for the development of German sacred music leading toward Bach</p><p>No prior musical training is required. The session is suitable for learners at all levels. An interest in early Baroque music, sacred works, or the German choral tradition will be helpful, but beginners are warmly welcome. English translations of the German text will be provided.</p>The single session will comprise combinations of lecture, question-and-answer, guided listening, video and manuscript study. You may wish to do extra reading after this class and suggestions will be made for this.<br/>There will also be Spotify and Youtube playlists for this course if you wish to do extra listening.You may also wish to purchase some of the music books or recordings discussed in class, for further reading and study: links to these materials will be available online after the session.<p>To find out more about music history classes <a href="https://https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/performing-arts/music/music-history" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> Music history courses in London and online</a> which lists our full programme of classes ordered by term, and by day of the week. You may then click on each title to read the full course outline.</p>MusicMusic historyconfigurable
13631351Music historyhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/performing-arts/music/music-history1/2/285/1314/1351/13631/Courses/Performing arts/Music/Music history
