Composition: Weihnachtsoratorium, BWV 248 (Bach, Johann Sebastian)
| Title | Weihnachtsoratorium |
| Alternative title | Christmas Oratorio |
| Creators | Johann Sebastian Bach (composer) |
| Opus | BWV 248 |
| Instrumentation | soprano, alto, tenor, bass, mixed chorus and orchestra |
| Number of movements | 64 |
| Keys | — |
| Composed | 1734 |
| First published | 1856 |
| Dedication | ; ; ; ; /; |
| Tempo markings | — |
| Metronome markings | — |
| Time signatures | — |
| Average duration (sec) | 9300 |
| Number of measures | — |
| Composition types | Sacred oratorios, Sacred cantatas |
| Language | German |
| Period | Baroque |
| View on IMSLP |  |
| Code |  |
Sections
(No sections)
Arrangements
| Details | Section | Arranged for | Arranger |
|---|---|---|---|
| view | Selections | 2 horns, 4 trumpets, 4 trombones and tuba | Michel Rondeau |
| view | Selections | oboe, English horn, bass oboe and bassoon | — |
| view | Selections | piano and harmonium | August Reinhard |
| view | Aria: 'Bereite dich, Zion' (No.4) | violin and piano | Peter Bækgaard |
| view | Chorale: 'Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ' (No.7) | organ | Peter Bækgaard |
| view | Aria: 'Grosser Herr und starker König' (No.8) | bass and organ | Rob Peters |
| view | Chorale: 'Ach mein herzliebes Jesulein' (No.9) | mixed chorus, 3 trumpets, timpani, strings and organ | Michael Stenov |
| view | Sinfonia ''Pastoral Symphony'' (No.10) | orchestra | Robert Franz |
| view | Sinfonia ''Pastoral Symphony'' (No.10) | 8 recorders | R.D. Tennent |
| view | Sinfonia ''Pastoral Symphony'' (No.10) | 4 recorders | Maximilian Olschewski |
| view | Sinfonia ''Pastoral Symphony'' (No.10) | oboe, English horn, bass oboe and bassoon | — |
| view | Sinfonia ''Pastoral Symphony'' (No.10) | organ | William Thomas Best |
| view | Sinfonia ''Pastoral Symphony'' (No.10) | organ | Sigfrid Karg-Elert |
| view | Sinfonia ''Pastoral Symphony'' (No.10) | piano | Walter Niemann |
| view | Sinfonia ''Pastoral Symphony'' (No.10) | piano | Arthur Willner |
| view | Choral: 'Brich an o schönes Morgenlicht' (No.12) | strings | Herbert S. Gardner |
| view | Choral: 'Brich an o schönes Morgenlicht' (No.12) | 4 viols | Albert Folop |
| view | Vom Himmel hoch, da komm ich her (No.17) | 4 recorders | Christian Mondrup |
| view | Schlafe, mein Liebster (No.19) | cello and piano | Philipp Roth |
| view | Schlafe, mein Liebster (No.19) | organ | William Joseph Westbrook |
| view | Schlafe, mein Liebster (No.19) | piano | Arthur Willner |
| view | Wir singen dir in deinem Heer (No.23) | piano | Arthur Willner |
| view | Wir singen dir in deinem Heer (No.23) | piano right hand | Hiroyuki Tanaka |
| view | Herrscher des Himmels (No.24) | 4 trumpets, 3 trombones and tuba | Stefan Adams |
| view | Herrscher des Himmels (No.24) | organ | Fabio Rigali |
| view | Aria: 'Schließe, mein Herze, dies selige Wunder' (No.31) | organ | Alain Brunet |
| view | Chor: 'Fallt mit Danken, fallt mit Loben' (No.36) | organ | William Thomas Best |
| view | Aria: 'Flößt, mein Heiland, flößt dein Namen' (No.39) | organ | Pierre Gouin |
| view | Chorale: 'Jesus richte mein Beginnen' (No.42) | trumpet and organ | Michel Rondeau |
| view | Coro: 'Ehre sei dir, Gott, gesungen' (No.43) | 2 violins, 2 violas and 2 cellos | Russ Bartoli |
| view | Chorus: 'Herr, wenn die stolzen Feinde schnauben' (No.54) | 5 trumpets and 3 trombones | Stefan Adams |
| view | Chorale: 'Nun seid ihr wohl gerochen' (No.64) | horn, 4 trumpets, 2 trombones and tuba | Stefan Adams |
| view | Chorale: 'Nun seid ihr wohl gerochen' (No.64) | trumpet and organ | Jonas Vincent Spanier |
| view | Chorale: 'Nun seid ihr wohl gerochen' (No.64) | organ | Jørgen Ellegård Frederiksen |
Scores
| Details | Section | Type | Publisher | Date | File |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| view | Complete | — | Manuscript | 1734 | Complete Score · view I. Jauchzet, frohlocket, auf, preiset die Tage · view II. Und es waren Hirten in derselben Gegend · view III. Herrscher des Himmels, erhöre das Lallen · view IV. Fallt mit Danken, fallt mit Loben · view V. Ehre sei dir, Gott, gesungen · view VI. Herr, wenn die stolzen Feinde schnauben · view Cover pages · view |
| view | Complete | — | — | — | Complete Score · view I. Jauchzet, frohlocket, auf, preiset die Tage · view II. Und es waren Hirten in derselben Gegend · view III. Herrscher des Himmels, erhöre das Lallen · view IV. Fallt mit Danken, fallt mit Loben · view V. Ehre sei dir, Gott, gesungen · view VI. Herr, wenn die stolzen Feinde schnauben · view |
| view | Complete | — | — | — | Complete Score · view |
| view | Complete | — | — | — | Complete Score · view I. Jauchzet, frohlocket, auf, preiset die Tage · view II. Und es waren Hirten in derselben Gegend · view III. Herrscher des Himmels, erhöre das Lallen · view IV. Fallt mit Danken, fallt mit Loben · view V. Ehre sei dir, Gott, gesungen · view VI. Herr, wenn die stolzen Feinde schnauben · view |
| view | Complete | selections | Autograph Manuscript | — | Nos.9-11 · view |
| view | Complete | selections | Fritz Brodersen | — | 36. Fallt mit Loben, fallt mit Danken · view 42. Jesus richte mein Beginnen · view 43. Ehre sei dir Gott gesungen · view 54. Herr, wenn die stolzen Feinde schnauben · view 64. Nun seid Ihr wohl gerochen · view Engraving files (Capella) · view |
| view | Complete | selections | — | — | I. Jauchzet, frohlocket, auf, preiset die Tage · view II. Und es waren Hirten in derselben Gegend · view |
| view | Complete | selections | Jamie Holdham | 2020 | 64. Chorale: Nun seid ihr wohl gerochen. · view |
| view | Complete | parts | Manuscript | 1734 | 1. Theil · view 2. Theil · view 3. Theil · view 4. Theil · view 5. Theil · view 6. Theil · view |
| view | Complete | parts | Manuscript | — | Complete Parts · view |
| view | Complete | parts | Manuscript | — | Complete Parts (1. Theil) · view Complete Parts (2. Theil) · view Complete Parts (3. Theil) · view Complete Parts (4. Theil) · view Complete Parts (5. Theil) · view Complete Parts (6. Theil) · view |
| view | Complete | parts | Breitkopf und Härtel | — | Flute 1, 2 · view Oboe 1, 2 (both also Oboe d'amore (A), Oboe da caccia (F)) · view Bassoon 1, 2 · view Horn 1, 2 (F) · view Trumpet 1, 2, 3 (D) · view Timpani · view Violins I · view Violins II · view Violas · view Cellos/Basses · view Continuo (Harpsichord) · view Organ · view |
| view | Complete | parts | — | — | Flute 1 · view Flute 2 · view Oboe 1 · view Oboe 2 · view Oboe da caccia 1 · view Oboe da caccia 2 · view English Horn · view Corno da caccia 1 · view Corno da caccia 2 · view Trumpet 1 · view Trumpet 2 · view Trumpet 3 · view Timpani · view Violins I · view Violins II · view Violas · view Continuo (Bassoons/Cellos/Basses/Keyboard) · view |
| view | Complete | parts | — | — | Oboe/Oboe d'amore 1 (Parts I-III) · view Oboe 1 (Parts IV-VI) · view Oboe/Oboe d'amore 2 (Parts I-III) · view Oboe 2 (Parts IV-VI) · view |
| view | Complete | parts,selections | Fritz Brodersen | — | 36. Fallt mit Loben, fallt mit Danken · view 42. Jesus richte mein Beginnen · view 43. Ehre sei dir Gott gesungen · view 54. Herr, wenn die stolzen Feinde schnauben · view 64. Nun seid Ihr wohl gerochen · view |
| view | Jauchzet, frohlocket, auf, preiset die Tage (Teil I Nos.1-9) | parts | — | — | Flute 1 · view Flute 2 · view Oboe 1 · view Oboe 2 · view Trumpet 1 · view Trumpet 2 · view Trumpet 3 · view Timpani · view Violins I · view Violins II · view Violas · view Continuo · view |
| view | Und es waren Hirten in derselben Gegend (Teil II Nos.10-23) | parts | — | — | Flute 1 · view Flute 1 · view Oboe d'amore 1 · view Oboe d'amore 2 · view Oboe da caccia 1 · view Oboe da caccia 2 · view Violins I · view Violins II · view Violas · view Continuo · view |
| view | Aria (Tenor): 'Ich will nur dir zu Ehren leben' (Teil IV No.41) | parts | — | — | Violin I · view Violin II · view |
| view | Chorale: 'Nun seid ihr wohl gerochen' (Teil V No.64) | parts | — | — | Choral Score · view Trumpet 1, 2 (High A) · view Trumpet 3 (C) · view Timpani · view Oboe 1 · view Oboe 2 · view Violins I · view Violins II · view Violins III · view Violas · view Cellos/Basses/Bassoon · view Organ · view |
| view | Complete | vocal score | Bote & Bock | 1857 | Complete score · view Color cover · view |
| view | Complete | vocal score | Breitkopf und Härtel | — | Complete Score · view |
| view | Complete | vocal score | Edition Peters | — | Complete Score · view |
| view | Complete | vocal score | Choudens | — | Complete Score · view |
| view | Complete | selections,vocal score | — | — | Collection of 10 chorales · view |
| view | Complete | selections,vocal score | — | — | Complete Score (Nos.12, 17) · view |
| view | Coro: 'Jauchzet, frohlocket, auf preiset die Tage' (No.1) | vocal score | Edition Peters | — | Piano accompaniment · view |
| view | Aria: 'Schlafe, mein Liebster, genieße der Ruh' (No.19) | vocal score | — | — | Complete Score · view |
| view | Ich steh' an deiner Krippen hier (No.59) | vocal score | Jürgen Knuth | — | Complete Score · view Engraving files (Capella) · view |
| view | Complete | selections | — | — | 12. Choral: 'Brich an, o schönes Morgenlicht' (Textless) · view 12. Choral: 'Brich an, o schönes Morgenlicht' (Textless, Alternate Title Only) · view 17. Choral: 'Schaut hin, dort liegt im finstern Stall' (Textless) · view 28. Choral: 'Dies hat er alles uns getan' (Textless) · view 33. Choral: 'Ich will dich mit Fleiß bewahren' (Textless) · view 35. Choral: 'Seid froh dieweil' (Textless) · view 42. Chorale: 'Jesus richte mein Beginnen' (Textless) · view 46. Choral: 'Dein Glanz all' Finsternis verzehrt' (Textless) · view 53. Choral: 'Zwar ist solche Herzensstube' (Textless) · view 59. Choral: 'Ich steh an deiner Krippen hier' (Textless) · view 64. Chorale: 'Nun seid ihr wohl gerochen' (Textless) · view |
| view | Complete | selections | — | — | 5. Choral: 'Wie soll ich dich empfangen?' (Textless) · view 9. Chorale: 'Ach mein herzliebes Jesulein' (Textless) · view 12. Choral: 'Brich an, o schönes Morgenlicht' (Textless) · view 12. Choral: 'Brich an, o schönes Morgenlicht' (Textless, Alternate Title Only) · view 23. Chorale: 'Wir singen dir in deinem Heer' (Textless) · view 33. Choral: 'Ich will dich mit Fleiß bewahren' (Textless) · view 35. Choral: 'Seid froh dieweil' (Textless) · view 42. Chorale: 'Jesus richte mein Beginnen' (Textless) · view 46. Choral: 'Dein Glanz all' Finsternis verzehrt' (Textless) · view 53. Chorale: 'Zwar ist solche Herzensstube' (Textless) · view 59. Choral: 'Ich steh an deiner Krippen hier' (Textless) · view |
| view | Complete | Arrangement for 2 horns, 4 trumpets, 4 trombones and tuba |
Michel Rondeau | 2019 | Nos.17, 23 - Complete Score and Parts · view Engraving files (Finale & XML) · view |
| view | Complete | Arrangement for oboe, English horn, bass oboe and bassoon; selections | — | — | Selected chorales - Complete Parts · view |
| view | Complete | Arrangement for piano and harmonium |
Edition Peters | — | Sinfonia (No.10) and Choral (No.23) · view |
| view | Aria: 'Bereite dich, Zion' (No.4) | Arrangement for violin and piano |
— | — | Complete Score · view Transcription Information · view Engraving files (Finale) · view |
| view | Chorale: 'Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ' (No.7) | Arrangement for organ |
— | — | Complete Score (tune in left hand) · view Complete Score (tune in left hand - transposed to F major) · view Complete Score (tune in pedal) · view Complete Score (tune in pedal - transposed to F major) · view Transcription Information · view Engraving files (Finale) · view |
| view | Aria: 'Grosser Herr und starker König' (No.8) | Arrangement for bass and organ |
— | — | Complete Score (D major, with pedal) · view Complete Score (D major, manualiter) · view Complete Score (C major, with pedal) · view Complete Score (C major, manualiter) · view |
| view | Chorale: 'Ach mein herzliebes Jesulein' (No.9) | Arrangement for mixed chorus, 3 trumpets, timpani, strings and organ |
— | — | Complete Score · view Choral Score · view Trumpet 1, 2, 3 · view Timpani · view Violins I · view Violins II · view Violas · view Cellos/Basses · view Organ · view |
| view | Sinfonia ''Pastoral Symphony'' (No.10) | Arrangement for orchestra |
F.E.C. Leuckart | — | Complete Score · view Color Cover · view |
| view | Sinfonia ''Pastoral Symphony'' (No.10) | Arrangement for 8 recorders |
— | — | Complete Score · view Complete Parts · view |
| view | Sinfonia ''Pastoral Symphony'' (No.10) | Arrangement for 4 recorders |
— | — | Complete Score and Parts · view |
| view | Sinfonia ''Pastoral Symphony'' (No.10) | Arrangement for oboe, English horn, bass oboe and bassoon | — | — | Complete Parts · view |
| view | Sinfonia ''Pastoral Symphony'' (No.10) | Arrangement for organ |
Novello | — | Complete Score · view |
| view | Sinfonia ''Pastoral Symphony'' (No.10) | Arrangement for organ |
Carl Simon | 1910 | Complete Score · view |
| view | Sinfonia ''Pastoral Symphony'' (No.10) | Arrangement for piano |
C.F. Kahnt | — | Complete Score · view |
| view | Sinfonia ''Pastoral Symphony'' (No.10) | Arrangement for piano |
Universal Edition | — | Complete Score · view |
| view | Choral: 'Brich an o schönes Morgenlicht' (No.12) | Arrangement for strings |
— | — | Complete Score and Parts · view |
| view | Choral: 'Brich an o schönes Morgenlicht' (No.12) | Arrangement for 4 viols |
— | — | Complete Score and Parts · view Engraving files (Personal composer) · view |
| view | Vom Himmel hoch, da komm ich her (No.17) | Arrangement for 4 recorders |
— | — | Complete Score · view Recorder notation score · view Engraving files (Mup) · view |
| view | Schlafe, mein Liebster (No.19) | Arrangement for cello and piano |
Breitkopf und Härtel | — | Complete Score · view Cello Part · view |
| view | Schlafe, mein Liebster (No.19) | Arrangement for organ |
Schott | — | Complete Score · view Complete Score · view |
| view | Schlafe, mein Liebster (No.19) | Arrangement for piano |
Universal Edition | — | Complete Score · view |
| view | Wir singen dir in deinem Heer (No.23) | Arrangement for piano |
Universal Edition | — | Complete Score · view |
| view | Wir singen dir in deinem Heer (No.23) | Arrangement for piano right hand |
— | — | Complete Score · view |
| view | Herrscher des Himmels (No.24) | Arrangement for 4 trumpets, 3 trombones and tuba |
— | — | Complete Score · view Trumpet 1/2/3/4 (B) · view Trumpet 1/2/3/4 (C) · view Trombone 1/2/3/Tuba · view |
| view | Herrscher des Himmels (No.24) | Arrangement for organ |
— | — | Complete Score · view |
| view | Aria: 'Schließe, mein Herze, dies selige Wunder' (No.31) | Arrangement for organ |
— | — | Complete Score · view |
| view | Chor: 'Fallt mit Danken, fallt mit Loben' (No.36) | Arrangement for organ |
Novello | — | Complete Score · view |
| view | Aria: 'Flößt, mein Heiland, flößt dein Namen' (No.39) | Arrangement for organ |
Montréal: Les Éditions Outremontaises | 2017 | Complete Score · view |
| view | Chorale: 'Jesus richte mein Beginnen' (No.42) | Arrangement for trumpet and organ |
— | — | Complete Score and Trumpet Part · view Engraving files (Finale & XML) · view |
| view | Coro: 'Ehre sei dir, Gott, gesungen' (No.43) | Arrangement for 2 violins, 2 violas and 2 cellos |
— | — | Complete Score and Parts · view |
| view | Chorus: 'Herr, wenn die stolzen Feinde schnauben' (No.54) | Arrangement for 5 trumpets and 3 trombones |
— | — | Complete Score and Parts (Trumpets in B) · view Complete Score and Parts (Trumpets in C) · view |
| view | Chorale: 'Nun seid ihr wohl gerochen' (No.64) | Arrangement for horn, 4 trumpets, 2 trombones and tuba |
— | — | Complete Score and Parts (Trumpets in B) · view Complete Score and Parts (Trumpets in C) · view |
| view | Chorale: 'Nun seid ihr wohl gerochen' (No.64) | Arrangement for trumpet and organ |
— | — | Complete Score · view Trumpet (D) · view |
| view | Chorale: 'Nun seid ihr wohl gerochen' (No.64) | Arrangement for organ |
— | — | Complete Score · view |
Recordings/Performances
| Details | Type | Section | Performers | Arranged for | Files | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| view | Synthesized | — | Fritz Lehmann (performer) and Helmut Krebs (performer) and Gunthild Weber (performer) and Sieglinde Wagner (alto) and Heinz Rehfuss (performer) and Günther Arndt (performer) | — | I. Jauchzet, frohlocket, auf, preiset die Tage · file II. Und es waren Hirten in derselben Gegend · file III. Herrscher des Himmels, erhöre das Lallen · file IV. Fallt mit Danken, fallt mit Loben · file V. Ehre sei dir, Gott, gesungen · file VI. Herr, wenn die stolzen Feinde schnauben · file |
|
| view | Synthesized | Chorale: Ach mein herzliebes Jesulein (No.9) | Cantores Carmeli Linz (performer) and Michael Stenov (organ) | For Mixed Chorus, Trumpets, Timpani, Strings and Organ (Stenov) | Complete Performance · file | |
| view | Synthesized | Aria: 'Bereite dich, Zion' (No.4) | Héctor Valls (piano) | For Voice and Piano | Piano accompaniment · file | |
| view | Synthesized | Synthesized | Selections | — | 36. Fallt mit Loben, fallt mit Danken · file 42. Jesus richte mein Beginnen · file 43. Ehre sei dir Gott gesungen · file 54. Herr, wenn die stolzen Feinde schnauben · file 64. Nun seid Ihr wohl gerochen · file |
|
| view | Synthesized | Synthesized | Selections | For 2 Horns, 4 Trumpets, 4 Trombones and Tuba (Rondeau) | Nos.17, 23 - Synthesized Performance · file | |
| view | Synthesized | Synthesized | Aria: 'Bereite dich, Zion' (No.4) | Peter Bækgaard (performer) | For Organ (Bækgaard) | Synthesized Performance · file |
| view | Synthesized | Synthesized | Sinfonia (No.10) | For 8 Recorders (Tennent) | Synthesized Performance · file | |
| view | Synthesized | Synthesized | Sinfonia (No.10) | For 4 Recorders (Olschewski) | Synthesized Performance · file | |
| view | Synthesized | Synthesized | Vom Himmel hoch, da komm ich her (No.17) | For 4 Recorders (Mondrup) | Synthesized Performance · file | |
| view | Synthesized | Synthesized | Chorale: 'Jesus richte mein Beginnen' (No.42) | For Trumpet and Organ (Rondeau) | Synthesized Performance · file | |
| view | Synthesized | Synthesized | Chorus: 'Herr, wenn die stolzen Feinde schnauben' (No.54) | For 5 Trumpets and 3 Trombones (Adams) | Synthesized Performance · file | |
| view | Synthesized | Synthesized | Ich steh' an deiner Krippen hier (No.59) | — | Synthesized Performance · file | |
| view | Synthesized | Synthesized | Nun seid ihr wohl gerochen (No.64) | For Horn, 4 Trumpets, 2 Trombones and Tuba (Adams) | Synthesized Performance · file |
©2025 David P. Anderson