The Christmas Oratorio (Weihnachtsoratorium) was one of three oratorios written by Johann Sebastian Bach in 1734 and 1735 for major feasts, the other two being the Ascension Oratorio and the Easter Oratorio. The Christmas Oratorio is by far the longest: in full, it is nearly three hours long but it is made up of six parts, each cantata being intended for performance on one of the major feast days of the Christmas period.
The first cantata would be played on Christmas Day, and describes the Birth of Jesus; the second, for 26th December, describing the annunciation to the shepherds; the third (27th December), the adoration of the shepherds; the fourth (New Year’s Day), the circumcision and naming of Jesus; the fifth (the first Sunday after New Year), the journey of the Magi; and the final one (Epiphany, on 6th January), the adoration of the Magi.
Bach wrote his pieces in his role as musical director for the city of Leipzig, where he was responsible for church music for the four churches there, and head of the internationally known boys’ choir, the “Thomanerchor”. The oratorio was incorporated into the services of the two main churches, Thomaskirche and Nikolaikirche, during the Christmas season of 1734. That would have been some Christmas service to behold!
The part I’m highlighting here is the first aria from Part I, featuring oboes d’amore, violins and an alto voice, and known by its opening line, Bereite dich, Zion, mit zärtlichen Trieben (“Make yourself ready, Zion, with tender desires”). It is here performed exquisitely by this choirboy and soloists from Munich’s Tölzer Knabenchor, and conducted by Nikolaus Harnoncourt. A more haunting piece of music fit for this season would be hard to find. Grab a mince pie and listen to this. Merry Christmas!
Bereite dich, Zion, mit zärtlichen Trieben,
Den Schönsten, den Liebsten bald bei dir zu sehn!
Deine Wangen
Müssen heut viel schöner prangen,
Eile, den Bräutigam sehnlichst zu lieben!
