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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

Weihnachts-Oratorium BWV 248


Ref.:

BWV 248

German Title

Weihnachts-Oratorium

Latin Title

Oratorium Tempore Nativitatis Christi

English Title

Christmas Oratorio

French Title

Oratorio de Noël

Event

In 6 parts for feastdays Christmas to Epiphany

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

Text

Christian Friedrich Henrici (Picander)

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]

Scoring

See individual cantatas below.

Examples from the Score
Chorale Melodies: Wir Christenleut habn jetzund Freud | Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ | Befiehl du deine Wege (I)

References

See individual cantatas below.

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

Music

Music Examples

Discussions

May 1998 - July 2001; October-November 2004


Ref.:

BWV 248/1

German Title

Jauchzet, frohlocket, auf, preiset die Tage

English Title

Rejoice, be Glad! Come, praise the days! (by Richard Stokes)

French Title

Exultez, réjouissez-vous ! debout, louez ce jour (by Guy Laffaille)

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

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

Text

Christian Friedrich Henrici (Picander)
Paul Gerhardt (Mvt. 5); Martin Luther (Mvts. 7, 9)

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]

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

Score Vocal & Piano [1.52 MB] | Score BGA [4.25 MB]

References

BGA: V/2 | NBA: II/6 | BC: D 7 | Zwang: K 190 | First Published: BG, 1856

Commentary

Crouch

Music

Music Examples

Discussions

May 1998 - July 2001; October-November 2004; Week of March 15, 2009


Ref.:

BWV 248/2

German Title

Und es waren Hirten in derselben Gegend

English Title

And there were in the same country shepherds (by Richard Stokes)

French Title

Et il y avait des bergers dans la même région (by Guy Laffaille)

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

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

Text

Christian Friedrich Henrici (Picander)
Johann Rist (Mvt. 3); Paul Gerhardt (Mvts. 8, 14)

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]

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

Score Vocal & Piano [1.51 MB] | Score BGA [4:12 MB]

References

BGA: V/2 | NBA: II/6 | BC: D 7 | Zwang: K 191 | First Published: BG, 1856

Commentary

Crouch

Music

Music Examples

Discussions

May 1998 - July 2001; October-November 2004; Week of May 17, 2009


Ref.:

BWV 248/3

German Title

Herrscher des Himmels, erhöre das Lallen

English Title

Ruler of Heaven, hear our mumurings (by Richard Stokes)

French Title

Roi du ciel, écoute le murmure (by Guy Laffaille)

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

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

Text

Christian Friedrich Henrici (Picander)
Martin Luther (Mvt. 5); Paul Gerhardt (Mvt. 10); Christoph Runge (Mvt. 12)

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]

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

Score Vocal & Piano [1.36 MB] | Score BGA [3:03 MB]

References

BGA: V/2 | NBA: II/6 | BC: D 7 | Zwang: K 192 | First Published: BG, 1856

Commentary

Crouch

Music

Music Examples

Discussions

May 1998 - July 2001; October-November 2004; Week of June 14, 2009


Ref.:

BWV 248/4

German Title

Fallt mit Danken, fallt mit Loben

English Title

With thanks and praise prostrate yourselves (by Richard Stokes)

French Title

Prosternez-vous avec gratitude, avec louange (by Guy Laffaille)

Event

Cantata for New Year's Day
Readings: Epistle: Galatians 3: 23-29; Gospel: Luke 2: 21
Musical Context: Motets & Chorales for Turning Time

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

Text

Christian Friedrich Henrici (Picander)
Johann Rist (Mvts. 3, 5, 7)

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]

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

Score Vocal & Piano [1.40 MB] | Score BGA [3.63 MB]

BGA: V/2 | NBA: II/6 | BC: D 7 | Zwang: K 193 | First Published: BG, 1856

Commentary

Crouch

Music

Music Examples

Discussions

May 1998 - July 2001; October-November 2004; Week of September 6, 2009


Ref.:

BWV 248/5

German Title

Ehre sei dir, Gott, gesungen

English Title

Glory to be Thee, O Lord (by Richard Stokes)

French Title

Que gloire à toi, ô Dieu, soit chantée (by Guy Laffaille)

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

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

Text

Christian Friedrich Henrici (Picander)
Georg Weissel (Mvt. 4); Johann Franck (Mvt. 11)

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]

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

Score Vocal & Piano [1.85 MB] | Score BGA [3.62 MB]

References

BGA: V/2 | NBA: II/6 | BC: D 7 | Zwang: K 194 | First Published: BG, 1856

Commentary

Crouch

Music

Music Examples

Discussions

May 1998 - July 2001; October-November 2004; Week of September 27, 2009


Ref.:

BWV 248/6

German Title

Herr, wenn die stolzen Feinde schnauben

English Title

Lord, if proud enemies rage (by Richard Stokes)

French Title

Quand nos ennemis orgueilleux enragent (by Guy Laffaille)

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

Composed

Leipzig, 1734-1735.
Adapted from: Most of No. 6 from lost cantata BWV 248a.
1st performance: January 6, 1735 - Leipzig

Text

Christian Friedrich Henrici (Picander)
Paul Gerhardt (Mvt. 6); Georg Werner (Mvt. 11)

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]

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

Score Vocal & Piano [1.84 MB] | Score BGA [5.29 MB]

References

BGA: V/2 | NBA: II/6 | BC: D 7 | Zwang: K 195 | First Published: BG, 1856

Commentary

Crouch | Text and Music Lost (BWV 248/VIa) | EvH [Dutch]

Music

Music Examples

Discussions

May 1998 - July 2001; October-November 2004; Week of November 1, 2009


Contents

Part 1: Complete Recordings 1900-1949 (0)
Part 2: Complete Recordings 1950-1959 (13)
Part 3: Complete Recordings 1960-1969 (9)
Part 4: Complete Recordings 1970-1979 (13)
Part 5: Complete Recordings 1980-1989 (16)
Part 6: Complete Recordings 1990-1999 (62)
Part 7: Complete Recordings 2000-2009 (97)
Part 8: Complete Recordings 2010-2019 (44)
Part 9: Complete Recordings 2020-2029 (12) = 266
Part 11: Reccordings of Individual Movements

General Discussions - Part 1
General Discussions - Part 2
General Discussions - Part 3
General Discussions - Part 4
General Discussions - Part 5
General Discussions - Part 6
General Discussions - Part 7

Systematic Discussions: Cantata 1 | Cantata 2 | Cantata 3 | Cantata 4 | Cantata 5 | Cantata 6 | Part 7: Summary

Weihnachts-Oratorium BWV 248 - performed by Collegium Aureum
Weihnachts-Oratorium BWV 248 - conducted by Harry Christophers
Weihnachts-Oratorium BWV 248 - conducted by John Eliot Gardiner
Weihnachts-Oratorium BWV 248 - conducted by Nikolaus Harnoncourt
Weihnachts-Oratorium BWV 248 - conducted by Philippe Herreweghe
Weihnachts-Oratorium BWV 248 - conducted by René Jacobs
Weihnachts-Oratorium BWV 248 - conducted by Nicholas McGegan
Weihnachts-Oratorium BWV 248 - conducted by Ralf Otto
Weihnachts-Oratorium BWV 248 - conducted by Karl Richter
Weihnachts-Oratorium BWV 248 - conducted by Helmuth Rilling
Weihnachts-Oratorium BWV 248 - conducted by Peter Schreier
Weihnachts-Oratorium BWV 248 - conducted by Masaaki Suzuki
Weihnachts-Oratorium BWV 248 - conducted by Kurt Thomas
Weihnachts-Oratorium BWV 248 - conducted by Jos van Veldhoven
Baker does Bach - conducted by Menuhin & Marriner

Article: A Bottomless Bucket of Bach - Christmas Oratorio [by Donald Satz]
Article: BWV 248/19 “Schlafe, mein Liebster” - A Background Study with Focus on the Colla Parte Flauto Traverso Part [by Thomas Braatz] [PDF]

--

Prepared by Aryeh Oron (November 2000 - January 2023)

Weihnachts-Oratorium BWV 248 (1734-1735): Details
Complete Recordings: 1900-1949 | 1950-1959 | 1960-1969 | 1970-1979 | 1980-1989 | 1990-1999 | 2000-2009 | 2010-2019 | 2020-2029 | Recordings of Individual Movements
General Discussions: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8
Systematic Discussions: Cantata 1 | Cantata 2 | Cantata 3 | Cantata 4 | Cantata 5 | Cantata 6 | Part 7: Summary
Individual Recordings: BWV 248 – Collegium Aureum | BWV 248 - H. Christophers | BWV 248 - J.E. Gardiner | BWV 248 - N. Harnoncourt | BWV 248 - P. Herreweghe | BWV 248 - R. Jacobs | BWV 248 - N. McGegan | BWV 248 - R. Otto | BWV 248 - K. Richter | BWV 248 - H. Rilling | BWV 248 - P. Schreier | BWV 248 - M. Suzuki | BWV 248 - K. Thomas | BWV 248 - J.v. Veldhoven
Articles: A Bottomless Bucket of Bach - Christmas Oratorio [D. Satz] | BWV 248/19 “Schlafe, mein Liebster” - A Background Study with Focus on the Colla Parte Flauto Traverso Part [T. Braatz]


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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Last update: Tuesday, January 03, 2023 08:49