Dies Natalis

DIES NATALIS, for band, is in the form of an introduction, chorale, five variations and finale, based on the ancient and beautiful Lutheran Christian chorale-tune, celebrating the birth of Christ. It was performed for the first time in the Eastman Theatre, April 7, 1972 by the Eastman Wind Ensemble, under the direction of Donald Hunsberger for the 50th birthday of the Eastman School of Music. Dr. Hanson has the following to say about the chorale-tune: "I used to sing it as a boy in the Swedish Lutheran Church of Wahoo, Nebraska. This chorale has, without doubt, been the greatest single musical influence in my life as a composer. Traces of the chorale appear in my early orchestral work, LUX AETERNA, and in sections of my opera, MERRY MOUNT. The chorale form has also influenced my CHORALE AND ALLELUIA for band and my fourth and fifth symphonies for orchestra."