Johann Sebastian Bach

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BWV 91
Title All glory to thee, Jesus Christ
Composed 25th December 1724, Leipzig
Scoring

Choir for 4 voices
Soprano solo
Alto solo
Tenor solo
Bass solo
Horn I + II
Bassdrum
Oboe I + II + III
Violin I + II
Viola
Bassoon
Basso continuo

Movements Choir: All glory to thee, Jesus Christ
Recitative und Choral (Soprano): The light of highest majesty
Aria (Tenor): God, for whom earth's orb is too small
Recitative (Bass): O Christian world, now rise and get thyself prepared
Aria (Duett, Soprano, Alto): The weakness which God hath assumed
Chorale: All this he hath for us achieved
Category Spiritual Cantata
Event 1st Christmas Day
Author of text Martin Luther 1524
Text
Choir:
Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass
Horn I + II
Bassdrum
Oboe I + II + III
Violin I + II
Viola
Basso continuo
(Cantus firmus in Soprano)

Recitative und Chorale: Soprano solo
Basso continuo












Aria: Tenor solo
Oboe I + II + III
Basso continuo




Recitative: Bass solo
Violin I + II
Viola
Basso continuo





Aria (Duett): Soprano solo, Alto solo
Violin I + II
Viola
Basso continuo



Chorale: Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass
Horn I + II
Bassdrum
Oboe I + II + III
Violin I + II
Viola
Basso continuo


All glory to thee, Jesus Christ,
For thou man today wast born,
Born of a virgin, that is sure,
Thus joyful is the angel host.
Kyrie eleis!




The light of highest majesty,
The image of God's very being,
Hath, when the time was full,
Himself a dwelling found and chosen.

Th'eternal Father's only child
Th'eternal light of light begotten,
Who now in the crib is found.
Ye mortals, now behold
What here the pow'r of love hath done!

Within our wretched flesh and blood,
And was this flesh then not accursed, condemned, and fallen?
Doth veil itself eternal good.
Yet is it, yea, for grace and blessing chosen.

God, for whom earth's orb is too small,
Whom neither world nor heaven limits,
Would in the narrow crib now lie.

Revealed to us this lasting light,
Thus henceforth will us God not hate,
For of this light we are the children.

O Christian world,
Now rise and get thyself prepared
To thee thy maker now to welcome.
The mighty Son of God
Comes as a guest to thee descended.
Ah, let thy heart by this his love be smitten;
He comes to thee, that he before his throne
Through this deep vale of tears may lead thee.

The weakness which God hath assumed
On us eternal health bestowed,
The richest store of heaven's treasures.

His mortal nature maketh you
The angels' glory now to share,
You to the angels' choir appointeth.

All this he hath for us achieved,
His great love to manifest;
Rejoice then all Christianity
And thank him for this evermore.
Kyrie eleis!

Epistle

Titus 2: 11-14; Isaiah 9: 2-7

Gospel Luke 2: 1-14
Manuscript Thomasschool, Leipzig; Singing Academy, Berlin; Johann Sebastian Bach Institute, Göttingen; Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris; University library Warzawa

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