Following on the heels of Sonne und Glanz (EB 8836), in which Klaus Uwe Ludwig presented merry and festive chorale preludes for special occasions, Ludwig is now bringing to the publics attention 21 organ preludes on popular Christmas carols and hymns in Engel und Hirten. For his new book, Ludwig has made a broad selection of pieces that deliberately goes beyond the hymns of the Evangelical Hymnal (and its regional sections). The musical design is stylistically wide-ranging and includes simple but sophisticated structures, emotionally moving pieces and works in a more modern musical idiom.

About half of the preludes can be played without pedal and thus on other keyboard instruments. The pieces are not only ideal as hymn preludes in the mass, religious service, or community celebrations, but are also suited as interludes for nativity plays, and can even be linked together to form a kind of Christmas carol suite.