Recorded live on the 8th of December 2013, Matthias Beckert leads the Thüringer Symphoniker Saalfeld Rudolstadt, the Montiverdi Chorus and soloists in Joseph Eybler’s Weihnachtsoratorium (Christmas Oratorio) from 1794.
 

Eybler, as conductor and composer, was admired by Mozart and one of three composers Constanze Mozart turned to to finish Wolfgang’s Requiem after his untimely death.

Eybler’s Christmas Oratorio greatly inspired Joseph Haydn when he came to write his Seasons and Creation oratorios in later years. And here for your consideration is a true rival for Handel’s Halleluia chorus: Eybler’s double chorus and vocal fugue for the angels and shepherds of the nativity

https://youtu.be/OTIEGkM96rA?t=1974