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Christmas Oratorio facts for kids

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BWV 248 Autograph
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. 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.

Chorales

In his German-language church music, Bach uses Lutheran chorale melodies.

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

Images for kids

  • BWV 248 Libretto

    First two pages of the libretto of Bach's Christmas Oratorio, as printed in 1734.

  • Leipzig Nikolaikirche

    St. Nicholas Church

  • Leipzig - Thomaskirche

    St. Thomas Church

  • Soest-Geburt-Christi

    Conrad von Soest: Birth of Christ (1404)

  • Georges de La Tour 001

    Georges de La Tour: Adoration of the Shepherds (1644)

  • Giotto - Scrovegni - -17- - Nativity, Birth of Jesus

    Giotto: Angels at the Nativity (c. 1300)

  • Magi Herod MNMA Cl23532

    Magi before Herod; France, early 15th century

  • Rogier van der Weyden 009

    Rogier van der Weyden: Adoration of the Magi (c. 1430–60)

  • Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn 052

    Rembrandt: Flight into Egypt (1627)

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Oratorio de Navidad para niños

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