Johann Sebastian Bach
| BWV | 248 |
| Cantata 1 | |
| Title | Christmas Oratorio |
| Composed | 25th December 1734, Leipzig |
| Scoring | Choir
for 4 voices |
| Movements | Choir:
Triumph, rejoicing, rise, praising these days now Recitative (Tenor): It occurred, however, at the time Recitative (Alto): Now is my dearest bridegroom rare Aria (Alto): Prepare thyself, Zion, with tender affection Chorale: How shall I then receive thee ? Recitative (Tenor): And she brought forth her first born son Chorale and Recitative (Tenor): He is to earth now come Aria (Bass): Mighty Lord, O strongest sovereign Chorale: Ah my belove'd Jesus-child |
| Category | Oratorio |
| Event | First Christmas Day |
| Author of text | probably Christian Friedrich Henrici (Picander) |
| Text Choir: Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass Trumpet I + II + III Bassdrum Travers flute I + II Oboe I + II Violin I + II Viola Basso continuo Recitative (Evangelist): Tenor solo Basso continuo Recitative: Alto solo Oboe d`amore I + II Basso continuo Aria: Alto solo Oboe d`amore I Violine I Basso continuo Chorale: Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass Travers flute I + II Oboe I + II Violine I + II Viola Violoncello Basso continuo Recitative (Evangelist): Tenor solo Basso continuo Choir and Recitative: Tenor solo Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass Oboe Oboe d`amore Basso continuo Aria: Bass solo Trumpet I Travers flute I Violin I + II Viola Basso continuo Chorale: Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass Trumpet I + II + III Bassdrum Travers flute I + II Oboe I + II Violin I + II Viola Basso continuo |
Part
1
How shall I then receive
thee And she brought forth her
first-born son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him within
a manger, for they had no other room in the inn for them. |
| Cantata 2 | |
| Title | Christmas Oratorio |
| Composed | 26th December 1734, Leipzig |
| Scoring | Choir
for 4 voices |
| Movements | Sinfonia Recitative (Tenor): And there were shepherds in that very region in the field Chorale: Break forth, O beauteous morning light Recitative (Soprano,Tenor): And the angel spake unto them Recitative (Bass): What God to Abraham did promise Aria (Tenor): Joyful shepherds, haste Recitative (Tenor): And let this be your sign Chorale: Look there, he lies in manger drear Recitative (Bass): So go then there, ye shepherds Aria (Alto): Sleep now, my dearest Recitative (Tenor): And suddenly there was with the angel Choir: Glory to God in the highest Recitative (Bass): 'Tis meet, ye angels, sing and triumph Chorale: We sing to thee amidst thy host |
| Category | Oratorio |
| Event | Second Christmas Day |
| Author of text | probably Christian Friedrich Henrici (Picander) |
| Text Sinfonia: Travers flute I + II Oboe d`amore I + II Violin I + II Viola Basso continuo Rezitativ: Tenor solo Basso continuo Chorale: Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass Travers flute I + II Oboe d`amore I + II Oboe da caccia I + II Violin I + II Viola Basso continuo Recitative: Soprano solo, Tenor solo Violin I + II Viola Organ Basso continuo Recitative: Bass solo Oboe d`amore I + II Oboe da caccia I + II Organ Basso continuo Aria: Tenor solo Travers flute I Organ Basso continuo Recitative (Evangelist): Tenor solo Organ Basso continuo Chorale: Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass Travers flute I + II Oboe d`amore I + II Oboe da caccia I + II Violin I + II Viola Basso continuo Recitative: Bass solo Oboe d`amore I + II Oboe da caccia I + II Basso continuo Aria: Alto solo Travers flute I + II Oboe d`amore I + II Oboe da caccia I + II Violin I + II Viola Basso continuo Rezitativ (Evangelist): Tenor solo Orgel Basso continuo Choir (Angel): Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass Travers flute I + II Oboe d`amore I + II Oboe da caccia I + II Violin I + II Viola Basso continuo Recitative: Bass solo Organ Basso continuo Chorale: Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass Travers flute I + II Oboe d`amore I + II Oboe da caccia I + II Violin I + II Viola Basso continuo |
Part
2 And there were shepherds in that very region in the field nearby their sheepfolds, who kept their watch by night over their flocks. And see now, the angel of the Lord came before them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them, and they were sore afraid. Break forth, O beauteous morning light, And bring day to the heavens! Thou shepherd folk, be not afraid, For thee the angel telleth That this the helpless little boy Shall be our comfort and our joy, Here for to conquer Satan And peace at last to bring us! Tenor (Evangelist): And the angel spake unto them: Soprano (Angel): Be not afraid, see now, I proclaim to you news of great gladness, which all the nations of the world will learn. For to you today is the Savior born, who is Christ, the Lord, in the city of David. What God to Abraham did promise, This hath he to the shepherd choir Revealed and proven. A shepherd all this once before Of God to learn was destined; And now as well a shepherd must The deed of yore he promised us Be first to see completed. Joyful shepherds, haste, ah hasten, Ere ye here too long should tarry, Haste, the gracious child to visit! Go, your gladness is too fair, Seek his grace's inspiration, Go and comfort heart and spirit. And let this be your sign: ye will discover the babe in swaddling clothes there wrapped and in a manger lying. Look there, he lies in manger drear Whose power reacheth ev'rywhere! Where fodder once the ox did seek, There resteth now the Virgin's child. So go then there, ye shepherds, go, That ye this wonder see: And when ye find the Highest's Son Within an austere manger lying, Then sing to him beside his cradle In tones that sweetly ring And with assembled choir This song of slumber bring! Sleep now, my dearest, enjoy now thy rest, Wake on the morrow to flourish in splendor! Lighten thy breast, With joy be thou blest, Where we hold our heart's great pleasure! And suddenly there was with the angel the multitude of the host of heaven, there praising God and saying: Glory to God in the highest and peace on the earth now and to mankind a sign of favor. 'Tis meet, ye angels, sing and triumph, That we today have gained such fortune! Up then! We'll join our voice to yours, We can as well as ye rejoice. We sing to thee amidst thy host With all our strength, laud, fame and praise, That thou, O long desiréd guest, Art come into this world at last. |
| Cantata 3 | |
| Title | Christmas Oratorio |
| Composed | 27th December 1734, Leipzig |
| Scoring | Choir
for 4 voices |
| Movements | Choir: Ruler
of heaven, give ear to our stammer Recitative (Tenor): And when the angel went away from them up to heaven Choir: Let us now go quickly to Bethlehem Recitative (Tenor): He brought his people hope Chorale: This hath he all for us brought forth Duett (Soprano, Bass): Lord, thy mercy, thy forgiveness Recitative (Tenor): And they went forth quickly and found Aria (Alto): Keep thou, my heart now, this most blessed wonder Recitative (Alto): Oh yes, my heart shall ever cherish Chorale: I will thee steadfastly cherish Recitative (Tenor): And the shepherds then turned back again Chorale: Be glad this while |
| Category | Oratorio |
| Event | Third Christmas Day |
| Author of text | probably Christian Friedrich Henrici (Picander) |
| Text Choir: Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass Trumpet I + II + III Bassdrum Travers flute I + II Oboe I + II Violin I + II Viola Organ Basso continuo Recitative (Evangelist): Tenor solo Organ Basso continuo Choir (Shepherds): Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass Travers flute I + II Oboe I + II Violin I + II Viola Organ Basso continuo Recitative: Bass solo Travers flute I + II Basso continuo Chorale: Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass Travers flute I + II Oboe I + II Violin I + II Viola Organ Basso continuo Duetto: Soprano solo, Bass solo Oboe d`amore I + II Organ Basso continuo Recitative (Evangelist): Tenor solo Organ Basso continuo Aria: Alto solo Violin solo Organ Basso continuo Recitative: Alto solo Travers flute I + II Organ Basso continuo Chorale: Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass Travers flute I + II Oboe I + II Violin I + II Viola Organ Basso continuo Recitative (Evangelist): Tenor solo Organ Basso continuo Chorale: Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass Travers flute I + II Oboe I + II Violin I + II Viola Organ Basso continuo Choir: Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass Trumpet I + II + III Bassdrum Travers flute I + II Oboe I + II Violin I + II Viola Organ Basso continuo |
Part
3 Ruler of heaven, give ear to our stammer, Let these our weary refrains bring thee pleasure, As thee thy Zion with psalms doth exalt! Hear thou our hearts, though, exultant with praises, As we to thee here our homage now render, For our salvation stands strong and secure! And when the angel went away from them up to heaven, said the shepherds one to another: Let us now go quickly to Bethlehem and this event now witness which hath here taken place, that which the Lord made known to us. He brought his people hope, He hath his Israel redeemed, His help from Zion he hath sent us And all our suff'ring ended. See, shepherds, this thing hath he done; Go, this thing go and see! This hath he all for us brought forth, His great love to manifest; Rejoice thus all Christianity And thank him in eternity. Kyrieleis! Lord, thy mercy, thy forgiveness, Comforts us and sets us free. Thy most gracious love and favor, Thy most wonderful affection Here make thy paternal faith New again. And they went forth quickly and found there both Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they, however, had ceased their looking, they spread forth the saying which had been told unto them concerning this child. And all to whom it came wondered at the story which had been reported to them by the shepherds. But Mary kept to herself then all these sayings, and she pondered them within her heart. Keep thou, my heart now, this most blessed wonder Fast within thy faith alway! And let this wonder, these godly achievements, Ever as comfort Of thy feeble faith abide! Oh yes, my heart shall ever cherish All it at this most gracious time To its eternal bliss With certain signs of proof hath witnessed. I will thee steadfastly cherish, For thy sake My life make, In thee I will perish, With thee will I one day hover Full of joy For alway There when life is over. And the shepherds then turned back again, glorifying and praising God for all the things which they had seen and had heard, just as it had been told to them. Be glad this while, For now your health Is here as God and as a man born to you, The one who is The Lord and Christ In David's city, out of many chosen. Ruler of heaven, give ear to our stammer, Let these our weary refrains bring thee pleasure, As thee thy Zion with psalms doth exalt! Hear thou our hearts, though, exultant with praises, As we to thee here our homage now render, For our salvation stands strong and secure! |
| Cantata 4 | |
| Title | Christmas Oratorio |
| Composed | 1st January 1735, Leipzig |
| Scoring | Choir
for 4 voices |
| Movements | Choir: Fall
and thank him Recitative (Tenor): And when eight days were accomplished Recitative (Soprano, Bass): Immanuel, O sweetest word! Aria (2 Sopranos): Doth, my Savior, doth thy name have Rezitative (Arioso, Soprano, Bass): O joy, thy name shall now alone Aria (Tenor): I would but for thine honor live now Chorale: Jesus order my beginning |
| Category | Oratorio |
| Event | New Year |
| Author of text | probably Christian Friedrich Henrici (Picander) |
| Text Choir: Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass Travers flute I + II Oboe I + II Violin I + II Viola Organ Basso continuo Recitative (Evangelist): Tenor solo Organ Basso continuo Recitative and Chorale: Soprano solo, Bass solo Violin I + II Viola Organ Basso continuo Aria: Soprano I + II solo Oboe solo Organ Basso continuo Recitative and Chorale: Soprano solo, Bass solo Violin I + II Viola Organ Basso continuo Aria: Tenor solo Violin I + II solo Basso continuo Chorale: Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass Horn da caccia I + II Oboe I + II Violin I + II Viola Organ Basso continuo |
Part
4 Fall and thank him, fall and praise him At the Highest's throne of grace! God's own Son Will of earth the Savior and Redeemer be now, God's own Son Stems our foe's great wrath and fury. And when eight days were accomplished that the child be circumcised, was his name then called Jesus, which was so named by the angel, before he was conceived within his mother's womb. Tenor: Immanuel, O sweetest word! My Jesus is my shield, My Jesus is my being. My Jesus is to me devoted, My Jesus shall I ever hold Before my eyes suspended. My Jesus is my joyful rest, My Jesus soothes my heart and breast. Chorale Soprano: Jesus, thou, my life belove'd, Tenor: Of my soul the bridegroom true, Chorale Soprano: Come! I would now with joy embrace thee, Tenor: My heart shall nevermore release thee, Chorale Soprano: Thou who didst for me surrender Tenor: To the bitter cross's tree! Chorale Soprano:Ah! Take me to thyself! Tenor: E'en in my dying shalt thou my Most cherished treasure be; In need, in dread and sore distress I'll look and yearn for thee. What cruelty at last can death then hound me with? My Jesus! When I die here, I know that I shall never perish. Thy name is written deep within me, It hath the fear of death now banished. Soprano I: Doth, my Savior, doth thy name have E'en the very smallest kernel Of that awful terror now? No, thyself thou sayest No. Soprano II (Echo): No! Soprano I: Ought I now of death be wary? No, the gentle word is here! Rather, ought I greet it gladly? Yes, O Savior, thou say'st Yes. Soprano II (Echo:) Yes! Bass: O joy, thy name shall now alone Within my bosom dwell! Chorale Soprano: Jesus, my true joy and pleasure, My true treasure, share and hope, Bass: Thus will I call thy name with rapture When breast and heart for thee with love are burning. Chorale Soprano: My salvation, crown and health, But, dearest, tell me now: Bass: How thee to praise, how thee to thank. King and shepherd, sun and radiance, Chorale Soprano: Ah, how shall I worthily, My Lord Jesus, give thee praise? I would but for thine honor live now; My Savior, give me strength of will, That this my heart with zeal may do. Strengthen me Thy mercy worthily And with gratitude to honor! Jesus order my beginning, Jesus bide alway with me, Jesus bridle my intention, Jesus be my sole desire, Jesus be in all my thinking, Jesus, let me never waver. |
| Cantata 5 | |
| Title | Christmas Oratorio |
| Composed | 2nd January 1735, Leipzig |
| Scoring | Choir
for 4 voices |
| Movements | Choir: Glory
to thee, God, be sung now Recitative (Tenor): Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem Choir: Where doth the newborn babe Chorale: Thy light all darkness doth consume Aria (Bass): Illumine, too, my gloomy spirit Recitative (Tenor): And thus when Herod the king had heard this Recitative (Alto): Wherefore would ye be frightened? Recitative (Tenor): And assembling all the high priests Terzett (Soprano, Alto, Tenor): Ah, when will that time appear then? Recitative (Alto): My dearest ruleth now Chorale: Though in truth my heart's poor lodging |
| Category | Oratorio |
| Event | Sunday after New Year |
| Author of text | probably Christian Friedrich Henrici (Picander) |
| Text Choir: Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass Oboe d`amore I + II Violin I + II Viola Organ Basso continuo Recitative (Evangelist): Tenor solo Organ Basso continuo Chorale and Recitative: Alto solo Sopran, Alt, Tenor, Bass Oboe d`amore I + II Violin I + II Viola Organ Basso continuo Chorale: Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass Oboe d`amore I + II Violin I + II Viola Organ Basso continuo Arie: Bass solo Oboe d`amore solo Basso continuo Recitative (Evangelist): Tenor solo Organ Basso continuo Recitative: Alto solo Violin I + II Viola Basso continuo Recitative (Evangelist): Tenor solo Organ Basso continuo Terzett: Soprano solo, Alto solo, Tenor solo Violin solo Basso continuo Recitative: Alto solo Violin I + II Viola Basso continuo Chorale: Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass Oboe d`amore I + II Violin I + II Viola Organ Basso continuo |
Part
5 Glory to thee, God, be sung now, Thee be praise and thanks prepared, Thee exalteth all the world, For our good is thy desire, For today Is our ev'ry wish accomplished, For us thy favor brings such splendid joy. Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem in the land of Judea in the days when Herod was the king, behold, there came the wise from the East to Jerusalem, who said: The wise men: Where doth the newborn babe, the king of the Jews, lie? Alto: Seek him within my breast, He dwells here, mine and his the joy! The wise men: We have indeed his star now witnessed where morning riseth(1) and are come now to give him worship. Alto: Blest ye, who have this light now witnessed, It is for your salvation risen! My Savior, thou, thou art that light, Which to the nations shall shine also, And they, they do not know thee yet, As they e'en now would pay thee honor. How bright, how clear must then thy rays, Belove'd Jesus, be! Thy light all darkness doth consume, The gloomy night to day transform. Lead us upon thy pathways, That we thy face And glorious light For evermore may witness! Illumine, too, my gloomy spirit, Illumine my bosom With the beams of thy clear light! Thy word shall be my brightest candle In all the works which I shall do; My soul shall this keep from all wicked endeavor. And thus when Herod the king had heard this, he trembled, and with him the whole of Jerusalem. Wherefore would ye be frightened? Can my dear Jesus' presence then in you such fear awaken? Oh! Should ye not by this Instead be moved with gladness, That he thereby hath pledged To make anew mankind's well being! And assembling all the high priests and scribes from amongst the people, did he then inquire of them, where the birth of Christ was supposed to happen. And they said to him: In Bethlehem in the land of Judea; for even thus is it written by the prophet: 'And thou, Bethlehem, in the land of Judea art by no means the least among the princes of Judah; for from thee shall to me come the ruler, who shall over my people Israel be master. Ah, when will that time appear then? Ah, when will his people's hope come? Hush, he is already here! Jesus, ah, then come to me! My dearest ruleth now. The heart which his dominion loveth And gives itself to him entirely Shall be my Jesus' throne. Though in truth my heart's poor lodging Is no lovely royal hall, Rather but a dreary chamber, Yet, when once thy mercy's beams Bring to it the merest glimmer, It seems as though with sun to shimmer. |
| Cantata 6 | |
| Title | Christmas Oratorio |
| Composed | 6th January 1735, Leipzig |
| Scoring | Choir
for 4 voices |
| Movements | Choir: Lord,
when our boastful foes blow fury Recitative (Tenor, Bass): Then did Herod summon the wise men in secret Recitative (Soprano): Thou liar, seek nought but the Lord's destruction Aria (Soprano): But a wave of his own hand will Recitative (Tenor): And as soon as they had heard the king Chorale: I stand before thy cradle here Recitative (Tenor): And God then warned them in a dream Recitative (Tenor): Then go! 'Tis well, my treasure leaveth not Aria (Tenor): Now may ye boastful foes be frightened Rezitative ( Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass): What hope hath hell's own terrors now Chorale: Now are ye well avengéd |
| Category | Oratorio |
| Event | Epiphany |
| Author of text | probably Christian Friedrich Henrici (Picander) |
| Text Choir: Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass Trumpet I + II + III Bassdrum Oboe I + II Violin I + II Viola Organ Basso continuo Recitative: Tenor solo, Bass solo Organ Basso continuo Recitative: Soprano solo Violin I + II Viola Basso continuo Aria: Soprano solo Oboe d`amore Violin I + II Viola Basso continuo Recitative (Evangelist): Tenor solo Organ Basso continuo Chorale: Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass Oboe I + II Violin I + II Viola Organ Basso continuo Recitative (Evangelist): Tenor solo Organ Basso continuo Recitative: Tenor solo Oboe d`amore Organ Basso continuo Aria: Tenor solo Oboe d`amore Organ Basso continuo Recitative: Soprano solo, Alto solo, Tenor solo, Bass solo Organ Basso continuo Chorale: Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass Trumpet I + II + III Bassdrum Oboe I + II Violin I + II Viola Organ Basso continuo |
Part
6 Lord, when our boastful foes blow fury, Help us to keep our faith unshaken And to thy might and help to look! We would make thee our sole reliance And thus unharmed the cutting talons And clutches of the foe escape. Tenor (Evangelist): Then did Herod summon the wise men in secret, and with diligence he learned from them when the star was to appear. And he sent them forth to Bethlehem and said: Bass (Herod): Go ye forth and search with diligence for the baby, and when ye find him, bring me word, that I as well may come and worship him. Thou liar, seek nought but the Lord's destruction, Lay ev'ry cunning snare And pitfall for our Savior; He, whose great pow'r no man can gauge, Abides in hands secure. Thy heart, thy lying heart e'en now, Along with all its guile, to God's own Son Whom thou dost strive to fell is fully known. But a wave of his own hand will Bring down feeble human might. Here is all dominion mocked! Speak the Highest but one word, His opponents' pride to finish, Oh, then surely must at once Change its course all mortal purpose. And as soon as they had heard the king, they went their way. And lo, the star, which in the East they had seen already, went before their way, until it came and stood above that place where the baby was. And when they saw the star, they rejoiced with great gladness and went into the house and found there the baby with Mary, his mother, and fell before him and worshipped him and opened up their treasures then and gave to him gold, incense, and myrrh. I stand before thy cradle here, O Jesus-child, my being, I come now, bring and offer thee What thou to me hast given. Take all! It is my spirit, will, Heart, soul and mind, take all to thee, And let it serve thy pleasure! And God then warned them in a dream that they should not go again unto Herod, and they went by another way back to their country. Then go! 'Tis well, my treasure leaveth not, He bideth here with me, I will not ever let him leave me. His arm will in his love With soft affection's warmth And deepest tenderness embrace me; He shall remain my faithful bridegroom, I will my breast and heart assign him. I know full well he loveth me, My heart, too, loves him fervently And shall alway adore him. What harm to me could any foe Amidst such fortune do now? Thou, Jesus, art fore'er my friend; And when in fear I cry to thee: Lord, help!, let me thy help behold! Now may ye boastful foes be frightened; Ye can in me what fear awaken? My store, my hoard is here by me. Be ye unbounded in your fury And threaten me with utter ruin, Beware, my Savior dwelleth here! What hope hath hell's own terrors now, What harm will world and sin us do, While we in Jesus' hands rest sure? Now are ye well avengéd Upon your hostile host, For Christ hath fully broken All that which you opposed. Death, devil, hell and error To nothing are reduced; With God hath now its shelter The mortal race of man. |
| Bibletext | Luke 2: 1; Luke, 2: 3-21; Matthew 2: 1-12 |
| YouTube | Video 1, Video 2, Video 3, Video 4, Video 5, Video 6, Video 7, Video 8, Video 9, Video 10, Video 11, Video 12, Video 13, Video 14, Video 15, Video 16, Video 17, Video 18, Video 19 |
| Manuscript | Bärenreiter Publishing House, Kassel; Estate C. Ph. E. Bach; Singinf Academy, Berlin; Bibliotheque du Conservatoire, Paris |