Reichardt: Christmas Prophecy "Das Volk, so im Finstern"

Description

The prophecy Das Volk, so im Finstern wandelt was written – probably for performance at court services – in all likelihood by Johann Georg Reichard, a magistrate in the Grafschaft (County) of Reuss who later held higher judicial appointments. Reichard was born at Oels (Olefoica) in Silesia in 1710 and studied law at Leipzig from 1732. He then went to Schleiz and rose from the position of archivist to high legal office, at the same time succeeding Gottfried Siegmund Liebich (d. 1736) as director of the court chapel. He died in Schleiz on 2 June 1782.

This short and attractive work has all the lightness and exuberance of the rococo as well as genuine emotional depth. in addition, it is easy to perform and should prove very popular. Liturgically, it still occupies a place in Christmas matins or vespers. Permission for this publication was kindly given by Dr. Wolfgang Reich of the Sächsische Landesbibliothek Dresden, Musikabteilung.