Known for its exceedingly high vocal standard, the choir has worked with musicians including Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Antonio Caldara, Antonio Salieri, Heinrich Isaac, Paul Hofhaimer, Heinrich Ignaz Franz Biber, Johann Joseph Fux, Christoph Willibald Gluck, and Anton Bruckner.
The choir is the modern-day descendant of the boys' choirs of the Viennese Court, dating back to the late Middle Ages. The choir was, for practical purposes, established by a letter written by Maximilian I on 7 July 1498. In the letter the Emperor instructed court officials to employ a singing master, two basses and six boys. A Slovene, Jurij Slatkonja, became the director of the ensemble.
The role of the choir (numbering between fourteen and twenty) was to provide musical accompaniment to the church mass. The boys received a solid musical education, which in most cases had a significant impact on the rest of their lives, as many went on to become professional musicians. Composers Jacobus Gallus, Franz Schubert, and conductors Hans Richter, Felix Mottl and Clemens Krauss were members of the choir.[1]
In 1920 the Hofkapelle (court musicians) was disbanded. However, the rector at the time, Josef Schnitt, sought a continuation of the tradition. In 1924 the "Vienna Boys' Choir" was officially founded and has extended into being a professional music group. Since 1948 the Palais Augarten has served as their rehearsal venue and boarding school which goes from kindergarten level up to middle school level.
The choir is a private, not-for-profit organization. There are approximately 100 choristers between the ages of ten and fourteen. The boys are divided into four touring choirs, which perform about 300 concerts each year in front of almost 500,000 people. Each group tours for about nine to eleven weeks.
Dr. Eugen Jesser became the choir's president in 2001 and its director in 2003. Gerald Wirth became the choir's artistic director in 2001.
Hark! the Herald Angels Sing
Vienna Boys Choir Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
"Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled"
Joyful, all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With the angelic host proclaim:
"Christ is born in Bethlehem"
"Glory to the newborn King!"
Christ by highest heav'n adored
Christ the everlasting Lord!
Late in time behold Him come
Offspring of a Virgin's womb
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see
Hail the incarnate Deity
Pleased as man with man to dwell
Jesus, our Emmanuel
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"
Hail the heav'n-born Prince of peace!
Hail the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings
Ris'n with healing in His wings
Mild He lays His glory by
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King
The Vienna Boys' Choir's song Hark! The Herald Angels Sing is a very famous Christmas carol that has been performed by many artists over the years. The song begins by calling everyone to listen and pay attention to the news being shared by the angels. The angels are announcing the birth of a new king who has come to save the world. This new king is called the newborn king and the angels sing out in glory and praise to him. They also call for peace on earth and for mercy to be shown to all.
The song then goes on to describe who this newborn king is - he is Christ, the highest being in heaven, who has come down to earth in human form. He was born to a virgin and is God incarnate. The angels invite everyone to hail the newborn king and to recognize that he brings light and life to all. He is the prince of peace and the son of righteousness. He has come to heal the world and to save mankind.
The final part of the song speaks directly to Jesus, calling him Emmanuel which means "God with us". The song acknowledges that Jesus has come to earth as a human, to dwell among men, to save mankind from sin and death. The angels celebrate the birth of Jesus and pledge their devotion to him. They express gratitude and joy that he has been born so that mankind can have a second chance at redemption.
Line by Line Meaning
Hark the herald angels sing
Listen to the announcement of the angels singing
"Glory to the newborn King!"
Let us celebrate the birth of the King with great honor and respect!
Peace on earth and mercy mild
May there be peace and forgiveness on earth
God and sinners reconciled"
God has reunited with sinners
Joyful, all ye nations rise
All nations should be full of joy
Join the triumph of the skies
Rejoice, and join in a song of happiness that is as magnificent as the heavens
With the angelic host proclaim
Together with the company of angels, announce and declare
"Christ is born in Bethlehem"
"Christ is born in Bethlehem" is the announcement that must be made
Christ by highest heav'n adored
Jesus Christ was worshipped in the highest heaven
Christ the everlasting Lord!
Jesus Christ is the eternal ruler!
Late in time behold Him come
He came later than expected
Offspring of a Virgin's womb
He was born of a virgin
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see
Although He was divine, He was hidden in human form
Hail the incarnate Deity
He is the divine who has taken human form!
Pleased as man with man to dwell
He was happy to live among humans like a human
Jesus, our Emmanuel
Jesus is our Emmanuel (meaning 'God with us')
Hail the heav'n-born Prince of peace!
Let us celebrate the prince of peace, who was born in heaven!
Hail the Son of Righteousness!
Let us welcome the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings
He brings light and life to everybody
Ris'n with healing in His wings
Risen with the power to heal
Mild He lays His glory by
He left His majesty to be humble
Born that man no more may die
He was born to eliminate death for people
Born to raise the sons of earth
He was born to make the people of earth soar high!
Born to give them second birth
He was born to give humanity a second chance at life!
Hark! The herald angels sing
Listen to the announcement of the angels singing
"Glory to the newborn King!"
Let us celebrate the birth of the King with great honor and respect!
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Universal Music Publishing Group, Walt Disney Music Company, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: PAUL BATEMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind