Johann Sebastian Bach, hero of the Baroque, has many masterpieces to his name. Among them is the Weihnachts-Oratorium BWV248, also known as the Christmas Oratorio. The work was written in 1734 to be performed at several services spanning Christmas Day to Epiphany in Leipzig. A re-telling of the Christmas story, the work has become one of the most popular choral compositions of all time and is a regular fixture in the church and concert calendars all over the world.
In a manner of parody, as was popular at the time, Bach repurposed sections of his other cantatas, particularly the secular ‘Laßt uns sorgen, laßt uns wachen’ BWV213, ‘Tönet, ihr Pauken! Erschallet, Trompeten!’ BWV214 and ‘Preise dein Glück, gesegnetes Sachsen’ BWV215; if you recognise the melody, you’ve probably heard it before! In addition to these sections, passages of the Gospel were newly composed, along with the Chorale settings. While the soloists enact the details of the story and play the parts of different characters along the way, the Chorales represent the congregation – an affirmation of their trust in God. This recording, originally released in 1974, features several world-renowned soloists at the top of their game: Arleen Augér, Peter Schreier and Theo Adam, playing the Angel, the Evangelist and Herod respectively.
Other information:
- Recorded in 1974.
- A classic performance of Bach’s Christmas Oratorio, featuring the superb voices of Arleen Augér, Peter Schreier, Annelies Burmeister, Theo Adam and the famous Dresdner Kreuzchor and Dresdner Philharmonie, conducted by Martin Flämig.
- The traditional performance style gives full due to the jubilant character and the deep feeling of wonder about the mystery of the Nativitas, here expressed by the unique voice of the much lamented Arleen Auger.
- From the rich archives of Berlin Classics.
- Sung texts available (on release) by clicking on 'Download Booklet' below the cover.
Johann Sebastian Bach: Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248, Pt. 1: I. Chorus. Jauchzet, frohlocket!
Johann Sebastian Bach: Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248, Pt. 1: II. Recitative. Es begab sich aber zu der Zeit (Evangelist)
Johann Sebastian Bach: Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248, Pt. 1: III. Recitative. Nun wird mein liebster Bräutigam (Alto)
Johann Sebastian Bach: Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248, Pt. 1: IV. Aria. Bereite dich, Zion (Alto)
Johann Sebastian Bach: Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248, Pt. 1: V. Chorale. Wie soll ich dich empfangen (Chorus)
Johann Sebastian Bach: Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248, Pt. 1: VI. Recitative. Und sie gebar ihren ersten Sohn (Evangelist)
Johann Sebastian Bach: Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248, Pt. 1: VII. Chorale. Er ist auf Erden kommen arm (Chorus, Soprano) – Recitative. Wer kann die Liebe recht erhöh’n (Bass)
Johann Sebastian Bach: Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248, Pt. 1: VIII. Aria. Großer Herr und starker König (Bass)
Johann Sebastian Bach: Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248, Pt. 1: IX. Chorale. Ach mein herzliebes Jesulein (Chorus)
Johann Sebastian Bach: Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248, Pt. 2: I. Sinfonia
Johann Sebastian Bach: Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248, Pt. 2: II. Recitative. Und es waren Hirten in derselben Gegend (Evangelist)
Johann Sebastian Bach: Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248, Pt. 2: III. Chorale. Brich an, o schönes Morgenlicht (Chorus)
Johann Sebastian Bach: Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248, Pt. 2: IV. Recitative. Und der Engel sprach zu ihnen. Fürchtet euch nicht (Evangelist, Angel)
Johann Sebastian Bach: Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248, Pt. 2: V. Recitative. Was Gott dem Abraham verheißen (Bass)
Johann Sebastian Bach: Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248, Pt. 2: VI. Aria. Frohe Hirten, eilt, ach eilet (Tenor)
Johann Sebastian Bach: Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248, Pt. 2: VII. Recitative. Und das habt zum Zeichen (Evangelist)
Johann Sebastian Bach: Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248, Pt. 2: VIII. Chorale. Schaut hin, dort liegt im finstern Stall (Chorus)
Johann Sebastian Bach: Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248, Pt. 2: IX. Recitative. So geht denn hin, ihr Hirten, geht (Bass)
Johann Sebastian Bach: Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248, Pt. 2: X. Aria. Schlafe, mein Liebster (Alto)
Johann Sebastian Bach: Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248, Pt. 2: XI. Recitative. Und alsobald war da bei dem Engel (Evangelist)
Johann Sebastian Bach: Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248, Pt. 2: XII. Chorus. Ehre sei Gott in der Höhe
Johann Sebastian Bach: Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248, Pt. 2: XIII. Recitative. So recht, ihr Engel, jauchzt und singet (Bass)
Johann Sebastian Bach: Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248, Pt. 2: XIV. Chorale. Wir singen dir in deinem Heer
Disk 2
Johann Sebastian Bach: Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248, Pt. 3: I. Chorus. Herrscher des Himmels
Johann Sebastian Bach: Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248, Pt. 3: II. Recitative. Und da die Engel von ihnen gen Himmel fuhren (Evangelist)
Johann Sebastian Bach: Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248, Pt. 3: III. Chorus. Lasset uns nun gehen
Johann Sebastian Bach: Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248, Pt. 3: IV. Recitative. Er hat sein Volk getröst’ (Bass)
Johann Sebastian Bach: Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248, Pt. 3: V. Chorale. Dies hat er alles uns getan (Chorus)
Johann Sebastian Bach: Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248, Pt. 3: VI. Duet. Herr, dein Mitleid (Soprano, Bass)
Johann Sebastian Bach: Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248, Pt. 3: VII. Recitative. Und sie kamen eilend (Evangelist)
Johann Sebastian Bach: Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248, Pt. 3: VIII. Aria. Schließe, mein Herze, dies selige Wunder (Alto)
Johann Sebastian Bach: Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248, Pt. 3: IX. Recitative. Ja, ja, mein Herz soll es bewahren (Alto)
Johann Sebastian Bach: Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248, Pt. 3: X. Chorale. Ich will dich mit Fleiß bewahren (Chorus)
Johann Sebastian Bach: Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248, Pt. 3: XI. Recitative. Und die Hirten kehrten wieder um (Evangelist)
Johann Sebastian Bach: Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248, Pt. 3: XII. Chorale. Seid froh dieweil (Chorus)
Johann Sebastian Bach: Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248, Pt. 3: XIII. Chorus, da capo. Herrscher des Himmels
Johann Sebastian Bach: Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248, Pt. 4: I. Chorus. Fallt mit Danken, fallt mit Loben
Johann Sebastian Bach: Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248, Pt. 4: II. Recitative. Und da acht Tage um waren (Evangelist)
Johann Sebastian Bach: Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248, Pt. 4: III. Recitative. Immanuel, o süßes Wort! (Bass) – Arioso. Jesu, du mein liebstes Leben (Bass, Soprano)
Johann Sebastian Bach: Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248, Pt. 4: IV. Aria. Flößt, mein Heiland (Soprano, Soprano-Echo)
Johann Sebastian Bach: Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248, Pt. 4: V. Recitative. Wohlan, dein Name soll allein (Bass) – Chorale. Jesu, meine Freud’ und Wonne (Chorus-Soprano)
Johann Sebastian Bach: Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248, Pt. 4: VI. Aria. Ich will nur dir zu Ehren leben (Tenor)
Johann Sebastian Bach: Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248, Pt. 4: VII. Chorale. Jesus richte mein Beginnen (Chorus)
Disk 3
Johann Sebastian Bach: Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248, Pt. 5: I. Chorus. Ehre sei dir, Gott, gesungen
Johann Sebastian Bach: Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248, Pt. 5: II. Recitative. Da Jesus geboren war zu Bethlehem (Evangelist)
Johann Sebastian Bach: Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248, Pt. 5: III. Chorus. Wo ist der neugeborne König – Recitative. Sucht ihn in meiner Brust (Soprano)
Johann Sebastian Bach: Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248, Pt. 5: IV. Chorale. Dein Glanz all Finsternis verzehrt (Chorus)
Johann Sebastian Bach: Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248, Pt. 5: V. Aria. Erleucht auch meine finstre Sinnen (Bass)
Johann Sebastian Bach: Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248, Pt. 5: VI. Recitative. Da das der König Herodes hörte (Evangelist)
Johann Sebastian Bach: Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248, Pt. 5: VII. Recitative. Warum wollt ihr erschrecken? (Alto)
Johann Sebastian Bach: Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248, Pt. 5: VIII. Recitative. Und ließ versammeln alle Hohepriester (Evangelist)
Johann Sebastian Bach: Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248, Pt. 5: IX. Trio. Ach, wenn wird die Zeit erscheinen? (Soprano, Alto, Tenor)
Johann Sebastian Bach: Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248, Pt. 5: X. Recitative. Mein Liebster herrschet schon (Alto)
Johann Sebastian Bach: Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248, Pt. 5: XI. Chorale. Zwar ist solche Herzensstube (Chorus)
Johann Sebastian Bach: Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248, Pt. 6: I. Chorus. Herr, wenn die stolzen Feinde schnauben
Johann Sebastian Bach: Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248, Pt. 6: II. Recitative. Da berief Herodes die Weisen heimlich (Evangelist) – Ziehet hin und forschet fleißig (Herod)
Johann Sebastian Bach: Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248, Pt. 6: III. Recitative. Du Falscher, suche nur den Herrn zu fällen (Soprano)
Johann Sebastian Bach: Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248, Pt. 6: IV. Aria. Nur ein Wink von seinen Händen (Soprano)
Johann Sebastian Bach: Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248, Pt. 6: V. Recitative. Als sie nun den König gehöret hatten (Evangelist)
Johann Sebastian Bach: Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248, Pt. 6: VI. Chorale. Ich steh an deiner Krippen hier (Chorus)
Johann Sebastian Bach: Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248, Pt. 6: VII. Recitative. Und Gott befahl ihnen im Traum (Evangelist)
Johann Sebastian Bach: Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248, Pt. 6: VIII. Recitative. So geht! Genug, mein Schatz (Evangelist)
Johann Sebastian Bach: Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248, Pt. 6: IX. Aria. Nun mögt ihr stolzen Feinde schrecken (Tenor)
Johann Sebastian Bach: Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248, Pt. 6: X. Recitative. Was will der Hölle Schrecken nun (Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass)
Johann Sebastian Bach: Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248, Pt. 6: XI. Chorale. Nun seid ihr wohl gerochen (Chorus)
