Evening Prayer

Link to video.

Engelbert Humperdinck wrote the opera Hansel and Gretel as a favor to his sister, who had written a libretto based on the fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm. Hansel and Gretel premiered in December, 1893, and has been associated with Christmas time ever since.

Abendsegan (“Evening Benediction”) is the most famous piece from the opera, and is as beloved today as it was when it premiered. It is a charming folk melody that is suitable as a building block for jazz interpretation.