Selections from Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)

THE STORY

Johann Sebastian Bach was an incredibly busy man. As part of his duties in the position of Thomaskantor in the German city of Leipzig, he prepared music for services in four Lutheran churches, composed liturgical music, hand-copied scores, rehearsed choirs, and performed music every Sunday. He held the position for 27 years, from 1723 until his death in 1750.

The Christmas Oratorio was composed in 1734 for Leipzig’s 12-day Christmas Festival. Each of the six cantatas was performed on a different day, beginning on Christmas and ending on the feast of the Epiphany on January 6. This was Bach’s first oratorio, and the music incorporates more than a dozen existing hymn tunes—as well as reusing a great deal of music Bach had previously written for both sacred and secular occasions.

Much of Bach’s work was never published during his lifetime; the Christmas Oratorio was forgotten by the public for decades after his death, until his music was rediscovered in the 19th century. Since then, it has remained a regularly performed work.

LISTEN FOR

• The timpani, not an instrument typically used by Bach, giving emphasis to the first words sung by the choir as they joyfully announce the birth of Christ
• Numerous “Lutheran chorales” throughout the work: these simple melodies for hymns were meant to be easily learned by everyday members of the congregation
• The duet in the 39th number, the aria “Flößt, me in Helmand, de in Namen” (“O My Savior, Does Your Name Instill”), between soprano and oboe

INSTRUMENTATION

Two flutes, four oboes, oboe d’amore, oboe da caccia, bassoon, two horns, three trumpets, timpani, continuo, strings