Sheet Music: Evening Prayer

TitleEvening Prayer
from Hänsel und Gretel
Alternate titlesAbendsegen
Abends, will ich schlafen geh'n
ComposerEngelbert Humperdinck (1854–1921)
InstrumentationTwo Flutes and Piano
KeyD major
RangeB4–G6
Time signature4/4
Tempo63 BPM
Performance time2:45
Difficulty levelintermediate
Download printable scorePDF Sheet Music (112 kB) (preview)
Download audio tracksMIDI (change tempo/key) MP3 (2.3 MB)
Play-along accompanimentMIDI (change tempo/key) MP3 (2.3 MB)
Date added2010-11-14
Last updated2010-11-14
Download popularity index☆☆☆☆☆ 1.9 (above average)
Categories
Opera excerpts, Traditional/Folk

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Sunday 14 November 2010

Tune of the Day: Evening Prayer

from “Hänsel und Gretel”, arranged for two flutes and piano

Hänsel und Gretel is an opera by 19th-century composer Engelbert Humperdinck. The libretto was written by Humperdinck's sister, based on the fairy tale of German origin Hansel and Gretel. The whole opera is much admired for its folk music-inspired themes, one of the most famous being the “Abendsegen” (“Evening Prayer”) from Act 2.

The idea for the opera was proposed to Humperdinck by his sister, who approached him about writing music for songs that she had written for her children for Christmas. The composer happily provided some musical numbers, and the entertainment went off so well that he decided to expand what he had written into a three-act opera.

Thanks to Colleen for suggesting this piece!