Weihnachts-Oratorium, BWV 248 (Bach, Johann Sebastian)

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Contents

Composer Page Bach, Johann Sebastian
Movements/Sections 6 Parts/Days
Composition Year 1734-1735
Genre Categories Sacred oratorios; Oratorios; Religious works; Sacred cantatas; Cantatas; For 4 voices, mixed chorus, orchestra; For voices and chorus with orchestra; Scores featuring the voice; Scores featuring the soprano voice; Scores featuring the alto voice; Scores featuring the tenor voice; Scores featuring the bass voice; Scores featuring mixed chorus; Scores featuring the orchestra; German language; For oboe, English horn, bass oboe, bassoon (arr); Scores featuring the oboe; Scores featuring the English horn; Scores featuring the bassoon; Scores featuring the bass oboe; For 4 players; For organ (arr); For 1 player; Scores featuring the organ; For piano (arr); Scores featuring the piano; For 4 viols (arr); Scores featuring the viol; For 4 recorders (arr); Scores featuring the recorder; For cello, piano (arr); For 2 players; Scores featuring the cello

Performances

General

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Synthesized/MIDI

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Scores

Full Scores

Complete

 Cover pages
#138525 - 1.65MB, 4 pages - 1.0/10 (1) - V/V/V - 767x⇩

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 I. Jauchzet, frohlocket, auf, preiset die Tage
#139156 - 17.02MB, 24 pages - No ratings - V/V/V - 3039x⇩

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 II. Und es waren Hirten in derselben Gegend
#139157 - 17.00MB, 24 pages - No ratings - V/V/V - 855x⇩

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 III. Herrscher des Himmels, erhöre das Lallen
#139158 - 14.19MB, 20 pages - No ratings - V/V/V - 575x⇩

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 IV. Fallt mit Danken, fallt mit Loben
#139159 - 17.24MB, 24 pages - No ratings - V/V/V - 650x⇩

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 V. Ehre sei dir, Gott, gesungen
#139160 - 17.89MB, 26 pages - No ratings - V/V/V - 563x⇩

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 VI. Herr, wenn die stolzen Feinde schnauben
#139161 - 21.66MB, 30 pages - No ratings - V/V/V - 604x⇩

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Editor:

Carl Friedrich Zelter (1758-1832), cover pages (index)

Publisher Info.:

Composer's manuscript, 1734.

Copyright:

Public Domain     [tag all files]

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 Complete Score
#02418 - 24.19MB, 265 pages - 7.5/10 (2) - V/V/V - 9323x⇩

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 Part 1. Jauchzet, frohlocket, auf, preiset die Tage
#02419 - 4.41MB, 50 pages - 3.0/10 (2) - V/V/V - 6533x⇩

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 Part 2. Und es waren Hirten in derselben Gegend
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 Part 3. Herrscher des Himmels, erhöre das Lallen
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 Part 4. Fallt mit Danken, fallt mit Loben
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 Part 5. Ehre sei dir, Gott, gesungen
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 Part 6. Herr, wenn die stolzen Feinde schnauben
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Editor:

Wilhelm Rust (1822-1892)

Publisher Info.:

Bach-Gesellschaft Ausgabe, Band 5
Leipzig: Breitkopf & Härtel, 1856. Plate B.W. V (2).

Copyright:

Public Domain     [tag all files]

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Large score: US CA JP UK DE FR - Dover (reprint)

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Selections

I. No.9, II. Nos.1-2

 Autograph manuscript of six pages
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Editor:

Hermann Kretzschmar (1848-1924)

Publisher Info.:

Bach-Gesellschaft Ausgabe, Band 44
Leipzig: Breitkopf & Härtel, 1895. Plate B.W. XLIV.

Copyright:

Public Domain     [tag all files]

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Parts

Complete

 Flute 1, 2
#56511 - 2.00MB, 20 (12, 8) pages - No ratings - V/V/V - 2348x⇩

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 Oboe 1, 2 (doubling Oboe d'Amore (in A)), Oboe da Caccia 1, 2 (in F)
#56512 - 7.09MB, 78 (40, 38) pages - 4.0/10 (1) - V/V/V - 3135x⇩

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 Bassoon 1, 2
#56513 - 2.86MB, 28 pages - No ratings - V/V/V - 1081x⇩

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 Horn 1, 2 (in F)
#56514 - 0.43MB, 6 (3, 3) pages - No ratings - V/V/V - 1171x⇩

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 Trumpet 1, 2, 3 (in D)
#56515 - 1.18MB, 14 (6, 4, 4) pages - No ratings - V/V/V - 2927x⇩

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 Timpani
#56516 - 0.33MB, 4 pages - No ratings - V/V/V - 969x⇩

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 Violins I
#56517 - 2.82MB, 30 pages - 8.0/10 (1) - V/V/V - 2995x⇩

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 Violins II
#56518 - 2.23MB, 24 pages - No ratings - V/V/V - 1607x⇩

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 Violas
#56519 - 1.93MB, 22 pages - 8.0/10 (1) - V/V/V - 1197x⇩

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 Cellos/Basses
#56520 - 4.35MB, 42 pages - No ratings - V/V/V - 2278x⇩

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 Continuo (Harpsichord)
#56521 - 10.48MB, 92 pages - No ratings - V/V/V - 2230x⇩

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 Organ
#56522 - 2.47MB, 22 pages - No ratings - V/V/V - 1655x⇩

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Publisher Info.:

Leipzig: Breitkopf und Härtel, n.d. Plate Orch-Bibl. 2514

Reprinted:

New York: Edwin F. Kalmus, n.d.(after 1933).

Copyright:

Public Domain     [tag all files]

Misc. Notes:

These files are part of the Orchestra Parts Project.

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Parts I-III

 Oboe/Oboe d'amore 1
#148676 - 0.80MB, 16 pages - No ratings - !N/!N/!N - 316x⇩

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 Oboe/Oboe d'amore 2
#148677 - 0.70MB, 14 pages - No ratings - !N/!N/!N - 202x⇩

PDF file, Typeset by Nils Jönsson
Uploader: wrshannon (9 November 2011)

Editor:

Nils Jönsson

Publisher Info.:

Nils Jönsson

Copyright:

Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial Share Alike 3.0     [tag all files]

Misc. Notes:

These file(s) are part of the Werner Icking Music Collection.

Parts IV-VI

 Oboe 1
#148678 - 0.78MB, 16 pages - No ratings - !N/!N/!N - 258x⇩

PDF file, Typeset by Nils Jönsson
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 Oboe 2
#148679 - 0.55MB, 12 pages - No ratings - !N/!N/!N - 170x⇩

PDF file, Typeset by Nils Jönsson
Uploader: wrshannon (9 November 2011)

Editor:

Nils Jönsson

Publisher Info.:

Nils Jönsson

Copyright:

Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial Share Alike 3.0     [tag all files]

Misc. Notes:

These file(s) are part of the Werner Icking Music Collection.

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Vocal Scores

Complete

 Complete score
#91281 - 12.45MB, 150 pages - No ratings - V/V/V - 4114x⇩

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 Color cover
#91282 - 0.75MB, 1 pages - No ratings - V/V/V - 408x⇩

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Arranger:

Friedrich Eduard Wilsing (1809-1893), piano reduction

Language:

German

Publisher Info.:

Berlin: Bote & Bock, n.d. Plate B. & B. 3988.

Copyright:

Public Domain     [tag all files]

Misc. Notes:

This file is part of the Sibley Mirroring Project.

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 Complete score
#19995 - 18.66MB, 163 pages - 5.0/10 (1) - V/V/V - 4756x⇩

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Uploader: Ottaviano (31 July 2008)

Arranger:

Salomon Jadassohn (1831-1902), piano reduction

Language:

German

Publisher Info.:

Leipzig: Breitkopf & Härtel, n.d.(1876), plate V.A. 13

Copyright:

Public Domain     [tag all files]

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 Complete score
#26544 - 9.24MB, 160 pages - 8.0/10 (1) - V/V/V - 4036x⇩

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Uploader: Carolus (10 January 2009)

Arranger:

Gustav Rösler (1819-1882), piano reduction

Language:

German

Publisher Info.:

Leipzig: C.F. Peters, No.38, n.d.(ca.1900). Plate 8795

Copyright:

Public Domain     [tag all files]

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US CA JP UK DE FR - Serenissima (reprint)

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 Complete score
#91283 - 37.92MB, 172 pages - No ratings - V/V/V - 801x⇩

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Uploader: Carolus (26 January 2011)

Arranger:

Alexandre Guilmant (1837-1911), piano reduction

Language:

French

Translator:

Paul Collin (1843–1915), French text

Publisher Info.:

Paris: Choudens, n.d. Plate A.C. 13122.

Copyright:

Public Domain     [tag all files]

Misc. Notes:

This file is part of the Sibley Mirroring Project.

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Chorales

 Collection of 10 chorales
#04862 - 2.26MB, 106 pages - No ratings - !N/!N/!N - 1724x⇩

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Uploader: A.Armendáriz (2 April 2007)

Editor:

Antonio Armendáriz

Language:

Spanish / German

Publisher Info.:

Lodosa: Antonio Armendáriz Navarro

Copyright:

Creative Commons Attribution 3.0     [tag all files]

Misc. Notes:

Corales I/05 y09 , II/03 y 08 , III/05, 10 y 12, V/04 y 11,VI/06.
Alta calidad, textos en alemán y español, datos biográficos

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Arrangements and Transcriptions

Selections

For Double Reed Quartet (Notenschreiber)

 Selected chorales - Complete Parts
#12110 - 0.08MB, 16 pages - No ratings - !N/!N/!N - 978x⇩

PDF file, Typeset by Notenschreiber
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Arranger:

Notenschreiber

Publisher Info.:

Notenschreiber

Copyright:

Creative Commons Attribution Share Alike 3.0     [tag all files]

Misc. Notes:

Notensatz Capella
Double Reed Quartet means Oboe, Cor anglais, Bassoboe, Bassoon

Aria: Bereite dich, Zion (No.4)

For Organ solo (Bækgaard)

 Organ score
#132439 - 0.06MB, 5 pages - No ratings - !N/!N/!N - 953x⇩

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 About the transcription
#135575 - 0.00MB, 1 pages - No ratings - !N/!N/!N - 211x⇩

PDF file, Typeset by Peter Bækgaard
Uploader: wrshannon (4 October 2011)

 Engraving files (Finale)
#176977 - 0.11MB, ? pages - No ratings - !N/!N/!N - 1x⇩

ZIP file, Typeset by Peter Bækgaard
Uploader: wrshannon (4 October 2011)

Arranger:

Peter Bækgaard

Publisher Info.:

Peter Bækgaard

Copyright:

Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial Share Alike 3.0     [tag all files]

Misc. Notes:

These file(s) are part of the Werner Icking Music Collection, and are also included in the Peter Bækgaard Collection.

Chorale: Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ (No.7)

For Organ solo (Bækgaard)

 Complete score (tune in left hand)
#132440 - 0.08MB, 4 pages - No ratings - !N/!N/!N - 332x⇩

PDF file, Typeset by Peter Bækgaard
Uploader: wrshannon (4 October 2011)

 Complete score (tune in left hand - transposed to F major)
#132441 - 0.05MB, 4 pages - No ratings - !N/!N/!N - 102x⇩

PDF file, Typeset by Peter Bækgaard
Uploader: wrshannon (4 October 2011)

 Complete score (tune in pedal)
#132442 - 0.08MB, 4 pages - No ratings - !N/!N/!N - 128x⇩

PDF file, Typeset by Peter Bækgaard
Uploader: wrshannon (4 October 2011)

 Complete score (tune in pedal - transposed to F major)
#132443 - 0.05MB, 4 pages - No ratings - !N/!N/!N - 101x⇩

PDF file, Typeset by Peter Bækgaard
Uploader: wrshannon (4 October 2011)

 About the transcription
#135577 - 0.00MB, 1 pages - No ratings - !N/!N/!N - 69x⇩

PDF file, Typeset by Peter Bækgaard
Uploader: wrshannon (4 October 2011)

 Engraving files (Finale)
#176977 - 0.11MB, ? pages - No ratings - !N/!N/!N - 1x⇩

ZIP file, Typeset by Peter Bækgaard
Uploader: wrshannon (4 October 2011)

Arranger:

Peter Bækgaard

Publisher Info.:

Peter Bækgaard

Copyright:

Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial Share Alike 3.0     [tag all files]

Misc. Notes:

These file(s) are part of the Werner Icking Music Collection, and are also included in the Peter Bækgaard Collection.

Sinfonia (No.10)

For Double Reed Quartet (Notenschreiber)

 Complete Parts
#87210 - 0.07MB, 4 pages - No ratings - !N/!N/!N - 716x⇩

PDF file, Typeset by Notenschreiber
Uploader: Notenschreiber (14 December 2010)

Arranger:

Notenschreiber

Publisher Info.:

Notenschreiber

Copyright:

Creative Commons Attribution Share Alike 3.0     [tag all files]

For Piano Solo (Willner)

 Complete Score
#83488 - 0.56MB, 4 (tp, 3 music) pages - No ratings - V/C/30 - 1909x⇩

PDF file, Scanned by Ralph Theo Misch
Uploader: Ralph Theo Misch (31 October 2010)

Arranger:

Arthur Willner (1881-1959)

Publisher Info.:

Corona-Collection. J. S. Bach. II Piano Solo C. 332
Vienna: Universal Edition, n.d.(ca. 1931). Plate C.C.98

Copyright:

Public Domain - Non-PD EU     [tag all files]

Misc. Notes:

Scanned at 600dpi grayscale, converted to monochrome.

Choral: Brich an o schones Morgenlicht (No.12)

For 4 viols (Folop)

 Complete score (Tr Tr T B)
#139858 - 0.02MB, 1 pages - No ratings - !N/!N/!N - 274x⇩

PDF file, Typeset by Albert Folop
Uploader: Afolop (20 October 2011)

 Treble1 viol
#139859 - 0.01MB, 1 pages - No ratings - !N/!N/!N - 59x⇩

PDF file, Typeset by Albert Folop
Uploader: Afolop (20 October 2011)

 Treble viol 2
#139860 - 0.01MB, 1 pages - No ratings - !N/!N/!N - 31x⇩

PDF file, Typeset by Albert Folop
Uploader: Afolop (20 October 2011)

 Tenor viol, alto clef
#139861 - 0.01MB, 1 pages - No ratings - !N/!N/!N - 34x⇩

PDF file, Typeset by Albert Folop
Uploader: Afolop (20 October 2011)

 Tenor viol, octave treble clef
#139862 - 0.01MB, 1 pages - No ratings - !N/!N/!N - 26x⇩

PDF file, Typeset by Albert Folop
Uploader: Afolop (20 October 2011)

 Bass viol
#139863 - 0.01MB, 1 pages - No ratings - !N/!N/!N - 36x⇩

PDF file, Typeset by Albert Folop
Uploader: Afolop (20 October 2011)

Arranger:

Albert Folop

Publisher Info.:

Albert Folop

Copyright:

Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial Share Alike 3.0     [tag all files]

Misc. Notes:

These file(s) are part of the Werner Icking Music Collection, and are also included in the Folop Viol Music Collection.

Vom Himmel hoch, da komm ich her (No.17)

For 4 Recorders (Mondrup)

 Complete Score
#123670 - 0.02MB, 1 pages - No ratings - !N/!N/!N - 451x⇩

PDF file, Typeset by Christian Mondrup
Uploader: Reccmo (16 September 2011)

Arranger:

Christian Mondrup

Publisher Info.:

Christian Mondrup

Copyright:

Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial Share Alike 3.0     [tag all files]

Misc. Notes:

Alto part in treble recorder notation. These file(s) are part of the Werner Icking Music Collection, and are also included in the Mondrup Recorder Collection.

Schlafe, mein Liebster (No.19)

For Cello and Piano (Roth)

 Piano score
#65829 - 1.21MB, 6 pages - No ratings - V/V/V - 982x⇩

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 Cello part
#65830 - 0.39MB, 2 pages - No ratings - V/V/V - 646x⇩

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Arranger:

Philipp Roth (1853-1898)

Publisher Info.:

Leipzig: Breitkopf & Härtel, n.d.(ca.1895) Plate V.A. 1562.

Copyright:

Public Domain     [tag all files]

Misc. Notes:

This file is part of the Sibley Mirroring Project.

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For Piano Solo (Willner)

 Piano Score
#83487 - 0.54MB, 3 pages - No ratings - V/C/30 - 966x⇩

PDF file, Scanned by Ralph Theo Misch
Uploader: Ralph Theo Misch (31 October 2010)

Arranger:

Arthur Willner (1881-1959)

Language:

German / English

Publisher Info.:

Corona-Collection. J. S. Bach. II Piano Solo C. 332
Vienna: Universal Edition, n.d.(ca. 1931). Plate C.C.98

Copyright:

Public Domain - Non-PD EU     [tag all files]

Misc. Notes:

Scanned at 600dpi grayscale, converted to monochrome.

Wir singen dir in deinem Heer (No.23)

For Piano Solo (Willner)

 Piano Score
#83489 - 0.15MB, 1 pages - No ratings - V/C/30 - 821x⇩

PDF file, Scanned by Ralph Theo Misch
Uploader: Ralph Theo Misch (31 October 2010)

Arranger:

Arthur Willner (1881-1959)

Language:

German / English

Publisher Info.:

Corona-Collection. J. S. Bach. II Piano Solo C. 332
Vienna: Universal Edition, n.d.(ca. 1931). Plate C.C.98

Copyright:

Public Domain - Non-PD EU     [tag all files]

Misc. Notes:

Scanned at 600dpi grayscale, converted to monochrome.

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Commercial Recordings

Amazon.com (learn why this link is here):
TitleArtists
Bach - Christmas OratorioJohn Eliot Gardiner, English Baroque Soloists, Nancy Argenta, ...
Bach: Christmas Oratorio - Highlights (Weihnachts Oratorium) (de Noël)J.S. Bach, Jochum
Bach J.S.: Weihnachts OratoriumDresdner Kammerchor Gewandhausorchester Leipzig Ri
Bach - Christmas Oratorio (Weihnachtsoratorium)Peter Schreier, Robert Holl, Concentus Musicus Opera, ...
Christmas OratorioHelmuth Rilling, Stuttgart Bach Collegium, Stuttgart Bach Collegium, ...
→ Search keyword (click for general results): "Weihnachts-Oratorium, BWV 248, Bach" (MP3 albums (US only), general composer works).
→ Search Amazons worldwide: Canada (.ca), France (.fr), Germany (.de), Japan (.co.jp), United Kingdom (.co.uk), United States (.com)

General Information

Work Title Weihnachtsoratorium
Alternative Title Christmas Oratorio
Composer Bach, Johann Sebastian
Opus/Catalogue Number BWV 248
Movements/Sections 6 Parts/Days
Year/Date of Composition 1734-1735
First Performance December 25, 26 & 27, 1734; January 1, 2, 6, 1735
First Publication 1856 (Bach Gesellschaft Ausgabe)
Librettist Picander (= Christian Friedrich Henrici, 1700–1764)
Language German
Average Duration 155 Minutes over 6 Days
Piece Style Baroque
Instrumentation Vocal — Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass; Mixed Chorus (SATB)
Orchestra — 2 Flutes, 2 Oboes (doubling Oboes d'Amore), 3 Trumpets, Timpani, Strings, and Organ/Continuo
N.B. Instrumentation varies per day; see below for specifics
Discuss this piece


Misc. Comments

The Christmas Oratorio is really not an oratorio as such, but a set of six cantatas to be performed on six separate days; they each have separate parody models, instrumentation, etc.
Parts of Cantatas 1-5 were adapted from the secular cantatas BWV 213 and BWV 215, most of Cantata 6 from lost cantata BWV 248a.

Section Listing and Instrumentation

I. Jauchzet, frohlocket, auf, preiset die Tage (Cantata for Christmas Day)

2 Flutes, 2 Oboes/Oboes d'amore, 3 Trumpets, Timpani, Strings, BC. D Major (~29 minutes)

  1. Coro: Jauchzet, frohlocket, auf preiset die Tage. A festive da capo chorus reflecting the nature of the secular text (Timpani, Trumpets, Strings), which Bach in fact accidentally wrote in for the first line of text. The opening timpani solo is unique in Bach's output, but the fast dactyls are not, and surely are expressing joy. D Major
  2. Evangelista: Es begab sich aber zu der Zeit. Secco recitative. b minor-A Major
  3. Recitative (Alto): Nun wird mein liebster Bräutigam. Recitative with two oboes d'amore. A Major- E Major
  4. Aria (Alto): Bereite dich, Zion, mit zärtlichen Trieben. A dance-like da capo aria in 3/8 for oboe d'amore and violin 1 in addition to the soloist. a minor
  5. Choral: Wie soll ich dich empfangen? A plain chorale setting. a minor
  6. Envagelista: Und sie gebar ihren ersten Sohn. Secco recitative. e minor-G Major
  7. Choral, Recitativo (Soprano, Bass): Er ist auf Erden kommen arm. An unusual movement for oboe and oboe d'amore in addition to the two soloists. The movement alternates between Chorale and recitative, split between soprano and bass respectively. The key perpetually wanders as well.
  8. Aria (Bass): Großer Herr, o starker König. Trumpets and strings never quite in sync (and a flute with the first violins) lend this aria some air despite heavy scoring and a low voice. Coloratura writing is relatively thin on the ground, but the trumpet and violins more than compensate. D Major
  9. Choral: Ach mein herzliebes Jesulein. A plain choral setting with interjections from trumpet and drum. D Major

II. Und es waren Hirten in derselben Gegend (Cantata for the 2nd Day of Christmas)

2 Flutes, 2 Oboes d'amore, 2 Oboes da caccia, Strings, BC. G Major (~29 minutes)

  1. (10). Sinfonia. A siciliano including, unusually, both oboes d'amore and oboes da caccia. The relaxed tone of flutes and strings contrast with reedy oboes (but no bassoon). G Major
  2. (11). Evangelista: Und es waren Hirten in derselben. Secco recitative. e minor-b minor
  3. (12). Choral: Brich an, o schönes Morgenlicht. A plain chorale setting. G Major
  4. (13). Evangelista, An Angel (Soprano): Und der engel sprach zu ihnen. Recitative with string accompaniment. D Major-b minor
  5. (14). Recitative (Bass): Was Gott dem Abraham verheißen. Recitative with oboe chords (same 4-part scoring). G Major-e minor
  6. (15). Aria (Tenor): Frohe Hirten, eilt, ach eilet. Obbligato flute and pizzicato basses give this minuet a feel well suited to the shepherds here depicted. The long melismas and virtuosic flute of the section eniiven the movement. e minor
  7. (16). Evangelista: Und das habt zum Zeichen. Secco recitative. G Major-a minor
  8. (17). Choral: Schaut hin, dort liegt im finstern Stall. A plain chorale setting. C Major
  9. (18). Recitative (Bass): So geht denn hin, ihr Hirten, geht. Recitative with oboe chords (same 4-part scoring). The sextuplets and repeated quavers of the second half again fit the shepherds. a minor-G Major
  10. (19). Aria (Alto): Schlafe, mein Liebster, genieße der Ruh. All four oboes come back for this pastoral aria, drones and all. The adventurous harmonies, however, assure the listener of an interesting aural experience. The flute is constantly doubling the soloist. G Major
  11. (20). Evangelista: Und alsobald war da bei dem Engel die. Secco recitative. D Major
  12. (21). Chorus: Ehre sei Gott in der Höhe. A chorus for the entire instrumental and vocal ensemble; formally, the chorus is much like a motet. The repeated baseline of the first section, the pedal point of the second, and imitation of the third repeat before the close of the movement. G Major
  13. (22). Recitative (Bass): So recht, ihr Engel, jauchzt und singet. Secco recitative. G Major
  14. (23). Chorale: Wir singen dir in deinem Heer. A 4-part chorale with the sinfonia returning in between phrases. G Major

III. Herrscher des Himmels, erhöre das Lallen (Cantata for the 3rd Day of Christmas)

2 Flutes, 2 Oboes/Oboes d'amore, 3 Trumpets, Timpani, Strings, BC. D Major (~26 minutes)

  1. (24). Coro: Herrscher des Himmels, erhöre das Lallen. "The concise simplicity of the movement, its plain bipartite form, its clearly perceptible periodic phrase structure, and its dance-like character" combine with festive clarino writing and energetic drums to make this movement highly accessible, plagal final cadence and all. D Major
  2. (25). Evangelista: Und da die Engel von ihnen. Secco recitative. E Major-A Major
  3. (26). Chorus: Lasset uns nun gehen gen Bethlehem. Almost a turba chorus, the fast-moving violins and flutes and choral imitation give this movement a highly animated feel. A Major-c♯ minor
  4. (27). Recitative (Bass): Er hat sein Volk getröst. Recitative with two flutes. c♯ minor-A Major
  5. (28). Choral: Dies hat er alles uns getan. A plain chorale setting. A Major
  6. (29). Aria Duetto (Soprano, Bass): Herr, dein Mitleid, dein Erbarmen. Yet another 3/8 movement, this time with two oboes d'amore (of course, in A Major). Imitation and sweet sixths and thirds give this movement the feel of a love duet. The repeated semiquavers, which at one point take over the texture, give this movement its particular feel. A Major
  7. (30). Evangelista: Und sie kamen eilend und funden beide. Motivically imprinted secco recitative. f♯ minor-b minor
  8. (31). Aria (Alto): Schließe, mein Herze, dies selige Wunder. Solo violin sings plaintively , with almost every note carefully marked with an articulation. b minor
  9. (32). Recitative (Alto): Ja, ja, mein Herz soll es bewahren. Recitative with two flutes. D Major-G Major
  10. (33). Choral: Ich will dich mit Fleiß bewahren. A plain chorale setting. G Major
  11. (34). Evangelista: Und die Hirten kehrten wieder um. Secco recitative. e minor-f♯ minor
  12. (35). Choral: Seid froh dieweil. A plain chorale setting, followed by a complete reprise of the opening chorus. f♯ minor
  13. (24 — Reprise). (Herrscher des Himmels, erhöre das Lallen). D Major

IV. Fallt mit Danken, fallt mit Loben (Cantata for New Year's Day/Feast of the Circumcision)

2 Oboes, 2 Horns, Strings, BC. F Major (~27 minutes)

  1. (36). Chorus: Fallt mit Danken, fallt mit Loben. Hunting horns and other figuration lend this movement its own feel, originally applying to the infant hercules. F Major
  2. (37). Evangelista: Und da acht Tage um waren. Secco recitaitve. C Major-a minor
  3. (38). Recitative con Chorale (Soprano, Bass): Immanuel, o süßes Wort. Recitative with string accompaniment, sandwiching arioso.. d minor-C Major
    Jesu, du mein liebstes Leben
  4. (39). Aria (Soprano, Echo—Soprano): Flößt, mein Heiland, flößt dein Namen. Pizzicato basses and solo oboe combine with the echo to reinforce the "No" of the text. The effect is rather more convincing in its secular model. C major
  5. (40). Recitative con Chorale (Soprano, Bass): Wohlan! dein Name soll allein
    Jesu, meine Freud' und Wonne. Recitative, alternating with arioso/chorale. C Major-F Major
  6. (41). Aria (Tenor): Ich will nur dir zu Ehren leben. The most exciting movement of the fourth part. Two solo violins moving in rapid figurations (that and the key may remind the listener of the famous double concerto), long melismas, octave leaps, and stretti continuously propel the movement. d minor
  7. (42). Chorale: Jesus richte mein Beginnen. The 4-part chorale is tressed up by completely independent instrumental lines. F Major

V. Ehre sei dir, Gott, gesungen (Cantata the Sunday after New Year)

2 Oboes d'amore, Strings, BC. A Major (~26 minutes)

  1. (43). Coro: Ehre sei dir, Gott, gesungen. Energetic violin figurations ("Vivace") and fast oboe d'amore parts are reminiscent here of one of the symphonies of C.P.E. and not J.S. The "praise" aspects of this movement are only too obvious. A Major
  2. (44). Evangelista: Ehre sei dir, Gott, gesungen. Secco recitative. f♯ minor-b minor
  3. (45). Chor + Recitativo (Alto): Wo ist der neugeborne König der Jüden? Again reminiscent of a turba chorus, the strings hang over to accompany the intermittent recitatives. b minor-f♯ minor
  4. (46). Choral: Dein Glanz all' Finsternis verzehrt. A plain choral setting. A Major
  5. (47). Aria (Bass): Erleucht' auch meine finstre Sinnen. The oboe d'amore obbligato is here carefully marked up with articulations and dynamics, just as the continuo part is full imitation of the same line. Clearly, the oboe d'amore is the "clear light" illuminating the bass's head.f♯ minor
  6. (48). Evangelista: Da das der König Herodes hörte. Secco recitative. A Major-c♯ minor
  7. (49). Recitative (Alto): Warum wollt ihr erschrecken. Fast repeated notes make this recitative even more dramatic than the one preceding. c♯ minor-E Major
  8. (50). Evangelista: Und ließ versammeln alle Hohenpriester. Secco recitative, leading to "Andante" arioso. E Major-b minor
  9. (51). Trio (Soprano, Alto, Tenor): Ach! wann wird die Zeit erscheinen? Most likely a parody, this trio also exploits the solo violin in a virtuosic capacity. The texture is sometimes duo, trio, or even solo. b minor
  10. (52). Recitative (Alto): Mein Liebster herrschet schon . Recitative with two oboes d'amore. f♯ minor-A Major
  11. (53). Choral: Zwar ist solche Herzensstube. A plain chorale setting. A Major

VI. Herr, wenn die stolzen Feinde schnauben (Cantata for the Feast of Epiphany)

2 Oboes/Oboes d'amore, 3 Trumpets, Timpani, Strings, BC. D Major (~25 Minutes)

  1. (54). Chorus: Herr, wenn die stolzen Feinde schnauben. A return to the trumpets-and-drums style, this ABA chorus concerns itself mainly with polyphony in all of its guises. The chorus is both immense and grand, fitting the dramatic text. D Major
  2. (55). Evangelista: Da berief Herodes die Weisen heimlich. Secco recitative. A Major-D Major
  3. (56). Recitative (Soprano): Du Falscher, suchet nur den Herrn zu fällen. Recitative withs string accompaniment. b minor-A Major
  4. (57). Aria (Soprano): Nur ein Wink von seinen Händen. The homophony of this aria (including the staccato chords) are its notable characteristic, along with its dance-like movement and clear phrases. A Major
  5. (58). Evangelista: Als sie nun den König gehöret hatten. Secco recitative. f♯ minor-G Major
  6. (59). Choral: Ich steh an deiner Krippen hier. A plain chorale setting. G Major
  7. (60). Evangelista: Und Gott befahl ihnen im Traum'. Secco recitative. e minor-f♯ minor
  8. (61). Recitative (Tenor): So geht! Genug, mein Schatz geht nicht von hier. Recitative with two oboes d'amore, alternating with with all sorts of "Allegro" instrumental interjections and "Adagio" arioso moments. f♯ minor-b minor
  9. (62). Aria (Tenor): Nun mögt ihr stolzen Feinde schrecken. Oboes d'amore in their favorite minor key here sing in thirds and sixths in this aria. THe pairing of almost every group of two notes by a slur is here notable. b minor
  10. (63). Recitative (SATB): Was will der Höllen Schrecken nun. An imitative recitative, this is one of the more unusual movements in the entire oratorio. D Major
  11. (64). Choral: Nun seid ihr wohl gerochen. Again, the 4-part chorale has instrumental lines to enliven it. In this case, the dactyls of the very first movement come back, and the extended ritornello almost turns this into a first-movement type chorus. D Major

Print Sources Consulted

Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2005.

External Links

Cantatas by Johann Sebastian Bach
Retrieved from "http://imslp.org/wiki/Weihnachts-Oratorium,_BWV_248_(Bach,_Johann_Sebastian)"
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