Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy

Hark! the Herald Angels Sing

The melody we know today for "Hark! the Herald Angels Sing" was originally written by Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847) in 1840 as secular music for his Festgesang or Gutenberg Cantata to honor the creation of the printing press. British musician William Hayman Cummings adapted Mendelssohn's melody to fit the text of "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" in 1855, and the music and text have been associated ever since. This version of the holiday classic has been arranged and orchestrated by Arthur Harris for full orchestra and chorus. Instrumentation: 3+Picc.2+EH.2+BCl.2+CBsn: 4.4.3.1: Timp.Perc(3-4): Hp: Str (9-8-7-6-5 in set): Mix Chor. The choral score is available separately from the publisher.