Questions about Eybler's Christmas Oratorio

Date: 7 Jul 2003 08:43:23 -0700
Newsgroups: rec.music.classical
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I came across the Eybler "Christmas Oratorio" (a cpo recording)
during an Amazon.com search. Upon looking at the track listings
some questions came to my mind; namely:
Does the opening "Overture" end conclusively (i.e. Does it have
an authentic or plagal cadence) or does it (1) end with an open
cadence or (2) run smack into the next item on the same track
(Track #1) identified as a "recitative" with no true break?
In other words, how stand alone is the overture even though it
shares the same track as the first vocal/choral number.
I'd also like to know what people think of Eybler's music and
style in general, as well as specific thoughts on his oratorio.