Praetorius’ creations, often in acapella form with no accompaniment to the mixed voices, require the performers to choose to add a form of continuo, or not. As part of his Musae Sioniae II, composed in 1607, it is the one tune of his that we still all know today. The three verses from this piece using the musical theme are In Dulci Jubilo, O Jesu Parvule & O Patris Caritas . A century later J S Bach used the theme in his organ chorale prelude from the Orgelbuchlein, BWV608 , beautifully adapted for organ, and then coming forward a further 200 years we are into the Victorian period and, once again, we have a carol, Good Christian Men Rejoice , a favourite of that time, based on the same tune and still used today, mostly in the Church of England. John Mason Neale adapted the original words to appeal to a congregation of the day, the tune being wiggled a bit by Thomas Helmore, but still very recognisable as In Dulci Jubilo . 120 years further along bringing us into the 20th century, we have Mike Oldfield, the Tubular Bells’ composer, producing his own version, in a rather folksy, prog rock fashion with recorder, guitar, piano and even a kazoo, all played by him, which bounces along very much in the way it was first intended to 700 years ago.
This time not intended as a carol, just an instrumental, although released as a single at Christmas, alongside On Horseback and reaching number four in the UK pop charts just after Christmas in January 1976. So, we have the tune that keeps on giving and is still loved today, used in all its varied forms but offering the same joyful Christmas message. There may be more; let me know if you unearth one.
It bounces along very much in the way it was first intended to 700 years ago
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