Christmas Oratorio

First page of the first part of the Christmas Oratorio

The Christmas Oratorio (German: Weihnachts-Oratorium) is a musical composition written by Johann Sebastian Bach. It tells the story of the birth of Jesus, based on the gospels of Matthew and Luke.

History

Before Bach wrote the Christmas Oratorio, he already wrote some cantatas for the Christmas season. The oratorio was written in 1734.^[1] It was written for the Christmas season of that year. It was first performed in the Thomaskirche and Nikolaikirche, Leipzig.

Music

The oratorio has 6 parts. Each part is performed for a certain day in the Christmas season. Some of the music is based from Bach's other works.

Parts

Part I

Part I is written for Christmas Day (December 25). The words tell the story of the birth of Jesus.

The instruments used in part I are 3 trumpets, timpani, 2 flutes, 2 oboes (each player also plays an oboe d'amore), 2 violins, viola, and the basso continuo.

Part II

Part II is written for the second day of Christmas (December 26). The words tell the story of the annunciation of the shepherds.

The instruments used in part II are 2 flutes, 2 oboes d'amore, 2 oboes da caccia, 2 violins, viola, and the basso continuo.

Part III

Part III is written for the third day of Christmas (December 27). The words tell the story of the arrival of the shepherds.

The instruments used in part III are the same as part I.

Part IV

Part IV is written for New Year's Day (January 1). The words tell the story of the circumcision of Jesus. The instruments used in part II are 2 horns, 2 oboes, 2 violins, viola, and the basso continuo.

Part V

Part V is written for the Sunday after New Year's Day. The words tell the story of the Magi's arrival in Jerusalem. The instruments used in part II are 2 oboes d'amore, 2 violins, viola, and the basso continuo.

Part VI

Part VI is written for the holiday of Epiphany. The words tell the story of the Magi visiting Jesus.

The instruments used in part VI are the same as part I.

Christmas Oratorio Media

First two pages of the libretto of Bach's Christmas Oratorio, as printed in 1734.
St. Nicholas Church
St. Thomas Church
Georges de La Tour: Adoration of the Shepherds (1644)
Magi before Herod; France, early 15th century
Rogier van der Weyden: Adoration of the Magi (c. 1430–60)

References

↑ Dürr, Alfred (2006). The Cantatas of J. S. Bach: With Their Librettos in German-English Parallel Text. Oxford University Press. p. 104. ISBN 978-0-19-929776-4.

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[durr-1] Dürr, Alfred (2006). The Cantatas of J. S. Bach: With Their Librettos in German-English Parallel Text. Oxford University Press. p. 104. ISBN 978-0-19-929776-4.

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