In the lyrical calm middle section of the overture from DIE WEIHNACHTSPASSION (The Christmas Passion), which is basically very rhythmic and with powerful brass fanfares, the carol “Ihr Kinderlein kommet” (Oh, come, little children) is heard, partly and harmonically altered.
If you listen carefully to the second part, you will discover how a bizarre winter world is created by “O du fröhliche” (Oh, how joyful) and “Maria durch ein Dornwald ging” (Maria walks amid the thorns) set in a minor key, and how a snowstorm is imitated by forward-pushing triplets. It ends with the slightly alienated but bright Advent melody “Es wird schon glei dumpa” (It will soon be dark), again in a minor key.
In the Gloria, the composer Simon Gamper captivates us with the “Silent Night” song, artfully arranged in his own way, which reaches its peak at the end in the solemn “O du fröhliche”.

In this arrangement, Advent and Christmas melodies are given a whole new splendour with a little twinkle.