Happy anniversary sounds: music and literature evening in Lübeck!

Happy anniversary sounds: music and literature evening in Lübeck!

The festive season is just around the corner and Christmas events are in full swing. This is also the case in the St. Joseph parish hall, where a Christmas music and literature evening will take place on Friday, January 2nd, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. This event has a very special meaning this year because it is celebrating its 20th anniversary. During these two decades, the harpsichord has proven itself as the main instrument that has been used in the community center since the event began. Under the direction of Hubertus Koch, members of the parishes of St. Vicelin, St. Joseph and St. Georg perform and present a varied mix of music and literature.

The program promises a festive atmosphere. The plan includes pastorals by Antonio Vivaldi and Arcangelo Corelli, as well as adaptations of well-known Christmas works. One or two movements from the sonatas of the baroque master Georg Philipp Telemann will not be missing. Listeners can also look forward to reading Christmas stories and poems that underline the contemplative mood. The evening is rounded off with singing traditional Christmas carols together. Admission is free and everyone in the parish is welcome to take part in this beautiful tradition and experience the joy of Christmas together.

Musical highlights of the Christmas season

A particularly good tip for musical accompaniment during Advent and Christmas is the recommended works, which are also presented in top-class performances. So called Classic radio some masterpieces that promise a treat for the ears.

• Cammile Saint-Saëns: Oratorio de Noël op. 12 – eine ca. 35-minütige Aufführung in zehn kurzen Teilen.
• Franz Schubert: Ave Maria – ein bekanntes Werk, das ursprünglich auf ein Gedicht von Sir Walter Scott basiert.
• Peter Tschaikowsky: Der Nussknacker – mit seinen berühmten Stücken wie dem Tanz der Zuckerfee und dem Blumenwalzer.
• Johann Sebastian Bach: Weihnachtsoratorium BWV 248 – ein beliebtes choreigentliches Werk, das die Geburt Christi thematisiert.
• Josef Rheinberger: Der Stern von Bethlehem – eine emotionale Chorkomposition, die sanfte Klänge liefert.

But it's not just Bach that is one of the favorites of the Christmas season. The star also highlights the beauty of classic Christmas music and recommends placing these traditional pieces over popular hits like “Last Christmas” and “All I Want For Christmas Is You.”

A feast for the senses

Topics such as the festive sounds of trumpets, flutes and choirs are discussed as ideal for getting in the mood for the holidays. Bach's Christmas Oratorio in particular, which in his time was not performed in one piece but in individual parts between Christmas and Epiphany, has established itself in the repertoire. More recent recordings, for example under the direction of John Eliot Gardiner or the Hamburg Ensemble Nein, bring a breath of fresh air into this old tradition.

So when it comes to this contemplative time of year, it's worth experiencing the magic of classical music. Perfect for contemplative moments and happy get-togethers - nothing beats the lovingly selected melodies and the warm voices that remind us what Christmas is all about. Be inspired by music and literature and enjoy the diverse offerings in our city!