Auf, auf, ihr Hirten
Staff Notation • Sacred, Christmas
Subscribed as
Want Sunday picks sent to another address too?
Your choir should not be left out in what's trending
Sunday mass selections, psalms, and trending songs in your area — straight to your inbox.
Auf, auf, ihr Hirten by Wilhelm Kienzl — Lyrics
About Auf, auf, ihr Hirten
Wilhelm Kienzl's motet Auf, auf, ihr Hirten is a vibrant celebration of Christmas, set for SSATB voices in German. The music opens with an energetic call to the shepherds, urging them to awaken and witness the dawning of a new day and the twinkling star. The piece unfolds with a sense of joyful anticipation as the text describes the celestial glow emanating from Bethlehem, transforming a humble stable into a radiant crystal. Kienzl's setting captures the text's rustic charm and profound spiritual significance, drawing the listener into the miraculous Nativity scene. The intricate interplay of the five vocal parts builds to a climactic depiction of the shepherds' journey and their reverent approach to the Christ child.