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Recordings & Discussions of Other Vocal Works:
Main Page
| Motets BWV 225-231
| Mass in B minor BWV 232
| Missae Breves & Sanctus BWV 233-242
| Magnificat BWV 243
| Matthäus-Passion BWV 244
| Johannes-Passion BWV 245
| Lukas-Passion BWV 246
| Markus-Passion BWV 247
| Weihnachts-Oratorium BWV 248
| Oster-Oratorium BWV 249
| Chorales BWV 250-438
| Geistliche Lieder BWV 439-507
| AMN BWV 508-523
| Quodlibet BWV 524
| Aria BWV 1127
| Motet BWV 1165=Anh 159
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Weihnachts-Oratorium BWV 248 |
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Ref.: |
BWV 248 |
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German Title |
Weihnachts-Oratorium |
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Latin Title |
Oratorium Tempore Nativitatis Christi |
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English Title |
Christmas Oratorio |
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French Title |
Oratorio de Noël |
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Event |
In 6 parts for feastdays Christmas to Epiphany |
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Composed |
Leipzig, 1734-1735.
Parts of Nos. 1-5 adapted from secular cantatas BWV 213, BWV 214, BWV 215, most of No. 6 from lost cantata BWV 248a |
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Text |
Christian Friedrich Henrici (Picander) |
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Text: German-6 | J.S. Bach - Weinachtsoratorium (Texte)
Translations: English-5
Hebrew-1 | Hebrew-2 | Italian-7 | Italian-8 | Russian-3 | Spanish-2
Chorale Texts: Wie soll ich dich empfangen [BWV 248/5] | Vom Himmel hoch, da komm ich her [BWV 248/9] | Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ [BWV 248/7,28] | Ermuntre dich, mein schwacher Geist [BWV 248/12] | Schaut, schaut, was ist für Wunder dar? [BWV 248/17] | Wir singen dir, Immanuel [BWV 248/23] | Fröhlich soll mein Herze springen [BWV 248/33] | Laßt Furcht und Pein [BWV 248/35] | Jesu, du mein liebstes Leben [BWV 248/38,40] | Hilf, Herr Jesu, laß gelingen [BWV 248/42] | Nun, liebe Seel, nun ist es Zeit [BWV 248/46] | Ihr Gestirn, ihr hohlen Lüfte [BWV 248/53] | Ich steh an deiner Krippen hier [BWV 248/59] | Ihr Christen, auserkoren [BWV 248/64] |
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Scoring |
See individual cantatas below. |
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Examples from the Score
Chorale Melodies: Wir Christenleut habn jetzund Freud | Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ | Befiehl du deine Wege (I) |
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References |
See individual cantatas below. |
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Commentary |
The Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248 (Bethlehem)
The Christmas Oratorio - Bach’s Chorale Settings
J.S. Bach: Christmas Oratorio A Brief Introduction & a Survey of Recordings |
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Music |
Music Examples |
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Discussions |
May 1998 - July 2001; October-November 2004 |
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Ref.: |
BWV 248/1 |
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German Title |
Jauchzet, frohlocket, auf, preiset die Tage |
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English Title |
Rejoice, be Glad! Come, praise the days! (by Richard Stokes) |
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French Title |
Exultez, réjouissez-vous ! debout, louez ce jour (by Guy Laffaille) |
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Event |
Cantata for Christmas Day
Readings: Epistle: Titus 2: 11-14 / Isaiah 9: 2-7; Gospel: Luke 2: 1-14
Musical Context: Motets & Chorales for Christmas |
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Composed |
Leipzig, 1734-1735.
Adapted from: Mvt. 1 (1): Chorus<--- BWV 214/1; Mvt. 4 (4): Aria [A]<---BWV 213/9; Mvt. 8 (8): Aria [B]<---BWV 214/7.
1st performance: December 25, 1734 - Leipzig |
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Text |
Christian Friedrich Henrici (Picander)
Paul Gerhardt (Mvt. 5); Martin Luther (Mvts. 7, 9) |
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Text: German-1 | NBA
Translations: English-1 | English-3I | English-3P | English-6 | English-10
Chinese-2 | Danish-2 | Dutch-0 | Dutch-3 | French-4 | French-6 | Hebrew-1 | Hebrew-2 | Hungarian-1 | Indonesian-1 | Russian-1 | Spanish-7
Chorale Texts: Wie soll ich dich empfangen [BWV 248/5] | Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ [BWV 248/7] | Vom Himmel hoch, da komm ich her [BWV 248/9] |
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Scoring |
Soloists: Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass; 4-Part Chorus
Orchestra: 3 trumpets, timpani, 2 transverse flutes, 2 oboes, oboe d'amore, 2 violins, viola, continuo (+ violoncello, fagott)
Mvt. 1 (1): Chorus | Mvt. 2 (2): Recitative | Mvt. 3 (3): Arioso | Mvt. 4 (4): Aria | Mvt. 5 (5): Chorale | Mvt. 6 (6): Recitative | Mvt. 7 (7): Chorale & Recitative | Mvt. 8 (8): Aria | Mvt. 9 (9): Chorale |
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Score Vocal & Piano [1.52 MB] | Score BGA [4.25 MB] |
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References |
BGA: V/2 | NBA: II/6 | BC: D 7 | Zwang: K 190 | First Published: BG, 1856 |
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Commentary |
Crouch |
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Music |
Music Examples |
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Discussions |
May 1998 - July 2001; October-November 2004; Week of March 15, 2009 |
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Ref.: |
BWV 248/2 |
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German Title |
Und es waren Hirten in derselben Gegend |
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English Title |
And there were in the same country shepherds (by Richard Stokes) |
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French Title |
Et il y avait des bergers dans la même région (by Guy Laffaille) |
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Event |
Cantata for the 2nd Day of Christmas [St. Stefanus Day]
Readings: Epistle: Titus. 3: 4-7 / Acts 6: 8-15 & 7: 55-60; Gospel: Matthew 23: 35-39 / Luke 2: 15-20
Musical Context: Motets & Chorales for Christmas |
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Composed |
Leipzig, 1734-1735.
Adapted from: Mvt. 6 (15): Aria [T]<---BWV 214/5; Mvt. 10 (19): Aria [A]<---BWV 213/3.
1st performance: December 26, 1734 - Leipzig |
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Text |
Christian Friedrich Henrici (Picander)
Johann Rist (Mvt. 3); Paul Gerhardt (Mvts. 8, 14) |
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Text: German-1 | NBA
Translations: English-1 | English-3I | English-3P | English-6 | English-10
Chinese-2 | Danish-2 | Dutch-0 | Dutch-3 | French-4 | French-6 | Hebrew-1 | Hebrew-2 | Hungarian-1 | Indonesian-1 | Russian-1 | Spanish-7
Chorale Texts: Ermuntre dich, mein schwacher Geist [BWV 248/12] | Schaut, schaut, was ist für Wunder dar? [BWV 248/17] | Wir singen dir, Immanuel [BWV 248/23] |
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Soloists: Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass; 4-Part Chorus
Orchestra: 2 transverse flutes, 2 oboes d'amore, 2 oboes da caccia, 2 violins, viola, continuo
Mvt. 1 (10): Sinfonia | Mvt. 2 (11): Recitative | Mvt. 3 (12): Chorale | Mvt. 4 (13): Recitative | Mvt. 5 (14): Recitative | Mvt. 6 (15): Aria | Mvt. 7 (16): Recitative | Mvt. 8 (17): Chorale | Mvt. 9 (18): Recitative | Mvt. 10 (19): Aria | Mvt. 11 (20): Recitative | Mvt. 12 (21): Chorus | Mvt. 13 (22): Recitative | Mvt. 14 (23): Chorale |
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Score Vocal & Piano [1.51 MB] | Score BGA [4:12 MB] |
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References |
BGA: V/2 | NBA: II/6 | BC: D 7 | Zwang: K 191 | First Published: BG, 1856 |
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Commentary |
Crouch |
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Music |
Music Examples |
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Discussions |
May 1998 - July 2001; October-November 2004; Week of May 17, 2009 |
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Ref.: |
BWV 248/3 |
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German Title |
Herrscher des Himmels, erhöre das Lallen |
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English Title |
Ruler of Heaven, hear our mumurings (by Richard Stokes) |
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French Title |
Roi du ciel, écoute le murmure (by Guy Laffaille) |
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Event |
Cantata for the 3rd Day of Christmas [St John's Day]
Readings: Epistle: Hebrews 1: 1-14 / Ecclesiastical Letters 15: 1-8; Gospel: John 1: 1-14
Musical Context: Motets & Chorales for Christmas |
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Composed |
Leipzig, 1734-1735.
Adapted from: Mvt. 1 (24): Chorus<---BWV 214/9; Mvt. 6 (29): Aria - Duet [S, B]<---BWV 213/11.
1st performance: December 27, 1734 - Leipzig |
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Text |
Christian Friedrich Henrici (Picander)
Martin Luther (Mvt. 5); Paul Gerhardt (Mvt. 10); Christoph Runge (Mvt. 12) |
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Text: German-1 | NBA
Translations: English-1 English-3I | English-3P | English-6 | English-10
Chinese-2 | Danish-2 | Dutch-0 | Dutch-3 | French-4 | French-6 | Hebrew-1 | Hebrew-2 | Hungarian-1 | Indonesian-1 | Russian-1 | Spanish-7
Chorale Texts: Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ [BWV 248/28] | Fröhlich soll mein Herze springen [BWV 248/33] | Laßt Furcht und Pein [BWV 248/35] |
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Scoring |
Soloists: Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass; 4-Part Chorus
Orchestra: 3 trumepts, timpani, 2 transverse flutes, 2 oboes, 2 oboes d'amore, 2 violins, viola, continuo
Mvt. 1 (24): Chorus | Mvt. 2 (25): Recitative | Mvt. 3 (26): Chorus | Mvt. 4 (27): Recitative | Mvt. 5 (28): Chorale | Mvt. 6 (29): Aria - Duet | Mvt. 7 (30): Recitative | Mvt. 8 (31): Aria | Mvt. 9 (32): Recitative | Mvt. 10 (33): Chorale | Mvt. 11 (34): Recitative | Mvt. 12 (35): Chorale | Mvt. 13 (24): Chorus |
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Score Vocal & Piano [1.36 MB] | Score BGA [3:03 MB] |
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References |
BGA: V/2 | NBA: II/6 | BC: D 7 | Zwang: K 192 | First Published: BG, 1856 |
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Commentary |
Crouch |
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Music |
Music Examples |
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Discussions |
May 1998 - July 2001; October-November 2004; Week of June 14, 2009 |
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Ref.: |
BWV 248/4 |
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German Title |
Fallt mit Danken, fallt mit Loben |
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English Title |
With thanks and praise prostrate yourselves (by Richard Stokes) |
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French Title |
Prosternez-vous avec gratitude, avec louange (by Guy Laffaille) |
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Event |
Cantata for New Year's Day
Readings: Epistle: Galatians 3: 23-29; Gospel: Luke 2: 21
Musical Context: Motets & Chorales for Turning Time |
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Composed |
Leipzig, 1734-1735.
Adapted from: Mvt. 1 (36): Chorus<---BWV 213/1; Mvt. 4 (39): Aria [S]<---BWV 213/5; Mvt. 6 (41): Aria [T]<---BWV 213/7.
1st performance: January 1, 1735 - Leipzig |
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Text |
Christian Friedrich Henrici (Picander)
Johann Rist (Mvts. 3, 5, 7) |
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Text: German-1 | NBA
Translations: English-1 | English-3I | English-3P | English-6 | English-10
Chinese-2 | Dutch-0 | Dutch-3 | French-4 | French-6 | Hebrew-1 | Hebrew-2 | Indonesian-1 | Russian-1 | Spanish-7
Chorale Texts: Jesu, du mein liebstes Leben [BWV 248/38,40] | Hilf, Herr Jesu, laß gelingen [BWV 248/42] |
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Scoring |
Soloists: Soprano, Tenor, Bass; 4-Part Chorus
Orchestra: 2 corno da caccia, 2 oboes, 2 violins, viola, continuo
Mvt. 1 (36): Chorus | Mvt. 2 (37): Recitative | Mvt. 3 (38): Recitative & Chorale | Mvt. 4 (39): Aria | Mvt. 5 (40): Recitative & Chorale | Mvt. 6 (41): Aria | Mvt. 7 (42): Chorale |
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Score Vocal & Piano [1.40 MB] | Score BGA [3.63 MB] |
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BGA: V/2 | NBA: II/6 | BC: D 7 | Zwang: K 193 | First Published: BG, 1856 |
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Commentary |
Crouch |
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Music |
Music Examples |
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Discussions |
May 1998 - July 2001; October-November 2004; Week of September 6, 2009 |
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Ref.: |
BWV 248/5 |
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German Title |
Ehre sei dir, Gott, gesungen |
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English Title |
Glory to be Thee, O Lord (by Richard Stokes) |
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French Title |
Que gloire à toi, ô Dieu, soit chantée (by Guy Laffaille) |
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Event |
Cantata the Sunday after New Year [2nd Sunday after Christmas Day]
Readings: Epistle: 1 Peter 4: 12-19; Gospel: Matthew 2: 13-23
Musical Context: Motets & Chorales for Turning Time |
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Composed |
Leipzig, 1734-1735.
Adapted from: Leipzig; Mvt. 3 (45): Chorus & Recitative [A]<---Markus-Passion BWV 247/114; Mvt. 5 (47): Aria [B] <---BWV 215/7.
1st performance: January 2, 1735 - Leipzig |
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Text |
Christian Friedrich Henrici (Picander)
Georg Weissel (Mvt. 4); Johann Franck (Mvt. 11) |
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Text: German-1 | NBA
Translations: English-1 | English-3I | English-3P | English-6 | English-10
Chinese-2 | Dutch-0 | Dutch-3 | French-4 | French-6 | Hebrew-1 | Hebrew-2 | Indonesian-1 | Russian-1 | Spanish-7
Chorale Texts: Nun, liebe Seel, nun ist es Zeit [BWV 248/46] | Ihr Gestirn, ihr hohlen Lüfte [BWV 248/53] |
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Scoring |
Soloists: Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass; 4-Part Chorus
Orchestra: 2 oboes d'amore, 2 violins, viola, continuo
Mvt. 1 (43): Chorus | Mvt. 2 (44): Recitative | Mvt. 3 (45): Chorus & Recitative | Mvt. 4 (46): Chorale | Mvt. 5 (47): Aria | Mvt. 6 (48): Recitative | Mvt. 7 (49): Recitative | Mvt. 8 (50): Recitative | Mvt. 9 (51): Aria (Trio) | Mvt. 10 (52): Recitative | Mvt. 11 (53): Chorale |
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Score Vocal & Piano [1.85 MB] | Score BGA [3.62 MB] |
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References |
BGA: V/2 | NBA: II/6 | BC: D 7 | Zwang: K 194 | First Published: BG, 1856 |
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Commentary |
Crouch |
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Music |
Music Examples |
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Discussions |
May 1998 - July 2001; October-November 2004; Week of September 27, 2009 |
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Ref.: |
BWV 248/6 |
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German Title |
Herr, wenn die stolzen Feinde schnauben |
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English Title |
Lord, if proud enemies rage (by Richard Stokes) |
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French Title |
Quand nos ennemis orgueilleux enragent (by Guy Laffaille) |
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Event |
Cantata for the Feast of Epiphany
Readings: Epistle: Isaah 60: 1-6; Gospel: Matthew 2: 1-12
Musical Context: Motets & Chorales for Turning Time |
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Composed |
Leipzig, 1734-1735.
Adapted from: Most of No. 6 from lost cantata BWV 248a.
1st performance: January 6, 1735 - Leipzig |
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Text |
Christian Friedrich Henrici (Picander)
Paul Gerhardt (Mvt. 6); Georg Werner (Mvt. 11) |
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Text: German-1 | NBA
Translations: English-1 | English-3I | English-3P | English-5 | English-6 | English-10
Chinese-2 | Dutch-0 | Dutch-3 | French-4 | French-6 | Hebrew-1 | Hebrew-2 | Indonesian-1 | Russian-1 | Spanish-7
Chorale Texts: Ich steh an deiner Krippen hier [BWV 248/59] | Ihr Christen, auserkoren [BWV 248/64] |
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Scoring |
Soloists: Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass; 4-Part Chorus
Orchestra: 3 trumpets, timpani, 2 oboes, 2 oboes d'amore, 2 violins, viola, continuo
Mvt. 1 (54): Chorus | Mvt. 2 (55): Recitative | Mvt. 3 (56): Recitative | Mvt. 4 (57): Aria | Mvt. 5 (58): Recitative | Mvt. 6 (59): Chorale | Mvt. 7 (60): Recitative | Mvt. 8 (61): Recitative | Mvt. 9 (62): Aria | Mvt. 10 (63): Recitative | Mvt. 11 (64): Chorale |
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Score Vocal & Piano [1.84 MB] | Score BGA [5.29 MB] |
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References |
BGA: V/2 | NBA: II/6 | BC: D 7 | Zwang: K 195 | First Published: BG, 1856 |
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Commentary |
Crouch | Text and Music Lost (BWV 248/VIa) | EvH [Dutch] |
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Music |
Music Examples |
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Discussions |
May 1998 - July 2001; October-November 2004; Week of November 1, 2009 |
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