Christmas Oratorio
BWV 248
J.S. Bach
One of Bach's most celebrated choral works is presented here with the original German text and a singable English version in an Urtext edition for soloists, choir and orchestra. For the composition of the Christmas Oratorio, Bach made use …
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One of Bach's most celebrated choral works is presented here with the original German text and a singable English version in an Urtext edition for soloists, choir and orchestra. For the composition of the Christmas Oratorio, Bach made use of the parody method, a commonly used compositional method for larger works that draws on material from previously composed pieces and adapts them to the new text. The Christmas Oratorio draws on his Congratulatory Cantatas (BWV 213 and 214). It is likely that Bach composed the music during the Advent season in 1734, as the first performances took place during the Christmas season 1734/35. However, it seems probable that many subsequent performances took place during Bach's lifetime since the original, partly autographic performance material discloses traces of frequent use.
Nun seid ihr wohl gerochen (Now Christ hath taken vengeance) Was will der Holle Schrecken nun (No more can Hell's dark force avail) Nun mogt ihr stolzen Feinde schrecken (My foes so proud may try to frighten) So geht! genug, mein Schatz geht nicht von hier (Depart? Oh no, my treasure stays with me) Und Gott befahl ihnen im Traum (And being warn'd of God in a dream) Ich steh an deiner Krippen hier (Here I beside Thy cradle stand) Als sie nun den Konig gehoret hatten (And the wise men when they heard the King) Nur ein Wink von seinen Handen (If the Lord but raise His finger) Du Falscher, suche nur den Herrn zu fallen (Deceiver! Thou dost hope to find the Lord) Da bereif Herodes die Weisen heimlich (Then did Herod privily call the wise men) Herr, wenn die stolzen Feinde schnauben (Lord! When our haughty foes rejoice) Zwar ist solche Herzensstube (My poor heart so weak and weary) Mein Liebster herrschet schon (My Master Jesus reigns) Ach! wann wird die Zeit erscheinen? (Ah! when shall we see Him reigning?) Und liess versammeln alle Hohenpriester (And gather'd he together all the chiefs of the Priests) Warum wollt ihr erschrecken? (Why is there sorrow here?) Da das der Konig Herodes horte (When Herod the King heard these things) Erleucht auch meine finstre Sinnen (Instruct my darken'd understanding) Dein Glanz all Finsternis verzehrt (Thy glory drives all gloom away) Sucht ihn in meiner Brust (Seek Him within my breast) Wo ist der neugeborene Konig der Juden (Where is He that is born, the King of the Hebrews) Da Jesus geboren war zu Bethlehem (Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem) Ehre sei dir, Gott, gesungen (Glory be to God! Almighty) Jesus, richte mein Beginnen (Jesu, guide my ev'ry action) Ich will nur dir zu Ehren leben (Let me but live to tell my story) Sinfonia Ach, mein herzliebs Jesulein (Ah dearest Jesu, Child Divine) Grosser Herr und starker Konig (Sov'reign Lord and King Almighty) Wer kann die Liebe recht erhohn (What man can calculate the love) Es ist auf Er