Hymn of Praise op. 52

Instrumentation: Soli SST, Coro SSAATB, Fl, Ob, Clt, Fg, Cor, Tr, Trb, Timp, 2 Vl, Va, Vc, Cb, [Org]

Mendelssohn described his 1840 work Lobgesang as “a symphony for chorus and orchestra”. It is now firmly established in the standard repertoire of the major oratorio choirs. For many choirs, Lobgesang remains on their wishlist of works they want to sing. But what can be done if the choir is to small, the budget is limited, and the performance space is tight?

Here, the experienced arranger and orchestral musician Joachim Linckelmann offers an excellent tried-and-tested solution. In his arrangement for soloists, chorus, and chamber orchestra, he has reduced the wind instruments from the original 17 to just 7 single instruments. The string parts remain largely identical to the original, but can also be played by smaller numbers. And the vocal parts (soloists and choir) remain unaltered in this arrangement, so that they can be sung from the vocal and choral scores of the Carus Urtext edition.

• Major work which can now be performed by smaller choirs
• Wind and brass parts of the original version reduced to seven single instruments
• Vocal scores and choral scores from the original version can be used
• carus plus: the work (original version) is available in carus music, the Choir Coach, and in the Carus Choir Coach series (audio only)