Highland Shepherds – Submission to the YCF 2025 Christmas Event

Merry Christmas, dear fellow composers! This is my second (and „official“) submission to the YCF 2025 Christmas Event.

It is a Christmas Pastorale played by a small Baroque orchestra with the typical instruments of shepherds, such as flutes, violines, a lute and a „surprise instrument“.

Although the instrumentation is somewhat more colorful or mixed, I think the inspiration from the famous “Sinfonia” from Bach's Christmas Oratorio is easily recognizable.

The piece is based on my Prelude in E major I composed four years ago, already having that Christmas Pastorale style in mind. I’m glad that I now could realize the orchestration and be able to share it in this way.

This was fantastic to listen to! Your first submission was fun, but I feel like this one offers a lot more color and character. Excellent usage of all the instruments. The piece moved along, was extremely focused and had good momentum. I also feel like every note served a purpose. Well done.

I have no words, haha. I absolutely adore the style and the period you inspired yourself with. Plus, seeing all the details in the sheet music is a joy. And the music certainly lives up to it. Thanks!

Hi @Wieland Handke!

Of course this one is more colorful than your first submission, but both are good in their own ways. The first one in a chamber setting is more calm and serene in character, while this one is more "universal" and broader with an orchestral setting. Thx for sharing the second version and submission!

Henry