Johann Sebastian Bach (31 March [O.S. 21 March] 1685 – 28 July 1750) was a … Read Full Bio ↴Johann Sebastian Bach (31 March [O.S. 21 March] 1685 – 28 July 1750) was a German composer and musician of the Baroque period. He is known for instrumental compositions such as the Brandenburg Concertos and the Goldberg Variations, and vocal music such as the St Matthew Passion and the Mass in B minor. Since the 19th-century Bach Revival he has been generally regarded as one of the greatest composers of all time.
The Bach family already counted several composers when Johann Sebastian was born as the last child of a city musician in Eisenach. Having become an orphan at age 10, he lived for five years with his eldest brother, after which he continued his musical formation in Lüneburg. From 1703 he was back in Thuringia, working as a musician for Protestant churches in Arnstadt and Mühlhausen and, for longer stretches of time, at courts in Weimar—where he expanded his repertoire for the organ—and Köthen—where he was mostly engaged with chamber music. From 1723 he was employed as Thomaskantor (cantor at St. Thomas) in Leipzig. He composed music for the principal Lutheran churches of the city, and for its university's student ensemble Collegium Musicum. From 1726 he published some of his keyboard and organ music. In Leipzig, as had happened in some of his earlier positions, he had a difficult relation with his employer, a situation that was little remedied when he was granted the title of court composer by the Elector of Saxony and King of Poland in 1736. In the last decades of his life he reworked and extended many of his earlier compositions. He died of complications after eye surgery in 1750.
Bach enriched established German styles through his mastery of counterpoint, harmonic and motivic organisation, and his adaptation of rhythms, forms, and textures from abroad, particularly from Italy and France. Bach's compositions include hundreds of cantatas, both sacred and secular. He composed Latin church music, Passions, oratorios and motets. He often adopted Lutheran hymns, not only in his larger vocal works, but for instance also in his four-part chorales and his sacred songs. He wrote extensively for organ and for other keyboard instruments. He composed concertos, for instance for violin and for harpsichord, and suites, as chamber music as well as for orchestra. Many of his works employ the genres of canon and fugue.
Throughout the 18th century Bach was primarily valued as an organist, while his keyboard music, such as The Well-Tempered Clavier, was appreciated for its didactic qualities. The 19th century saw the publication of some major Bach biographies, and by the end of that century all of his known music had been printed. Dissemination of scholarship on the composer continued through periodicals and websites exclusively devoted to him, and other publications such as the Bach-Werke-Verzeichnis (BWV, a numbered catalogue of his works) and new critical editions of his compositions. His music was further popularised through a multitude of arrangements, including for instance the Air on the G String, and of recordings, for instance three different box sets with complete performances of the composer's oeuvre marking the 250th anniversary of his death.
The Bach family already counted several composers when Johann Sebastian was born as the last child of a city musician in Eisenach. Having become an orphan at age 10, he lived for five years with his eldest brother, after which he continued his musical formation in Lüneburg. From 1703 he was back in Thuringia, working as a musician for Protestant churches in Arnstadt and Mühlhausen and, for longer stretches of time, at courts in Weimar—where he expanded his repertoire for the organ—and Köthen—where he was mostly engaged with chamber music. From 1723 he was employed as Thomaskantor (cantor at St. Thomas) in Leipzig. He composed music for the principal Lutheran churches of the city, and for its university's student ensemble Collegium Musicum. From 1726 he published some of his keyboard and organ music. In Leipzig, as had happened in some of his earlier positions, he had a difficult relation with his employer, a situation that was little remedied when he was granted the title of court composer by the Elector of Saxony and King of Poland in 1736. In the last decades of his life he reworked and extended many of his earlier compositions. He died of complications after eye surgery in 1750.
Bach enriched established German styles through his mastery of counterpoint, harmonic and motivic organisation, and his adaptation of rhythms, forms, and textures from abroad, particularly from Italy and France. Bach's compositions include hundreds of cantatas, both sacred and secular. He composed Latin church music, Passions, oratorios and motets. He often adopted Lutheran hymns, not only in his larger vocal works, but for instance also in his four-part chorales and his sacred songs. He wrote extensively for organ and for other keyboard instruments. He composed concertos, for instance for violin and for harpsichord, and suites, as chamber music as well as for orchestra. Many of his works employ the genres of canon and fugue.
Throughout the 18th century Bach was primarily valued as an organist, while his keyboard music, such as The Well-Tempered Clavier, was appreciated for its didactic qualities. The 19th century saw the publication of some major Bach biographies, and by the end of that century all of his known music had been printed. Dissemination of scholarship on the composer continued through periodicals and websites exclusively devoted to him, and other publications such as the Bach-Werke-Verzeichnis (BWV, a numbered catalogue of his works) and new critical editions of his compositions. His music was further popularised through a multitude of arrangements, including for instance the Air on the G String, and of recordings, for instance three different box sets with complete performances of the composer's oeuvre marking the 250th anniversary of his death.
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01Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248: Part I: Jauchzet, frohlocket, auf, preiset die Tage … (Chorus)8:22Johann Sebastian Bach
02Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248: Part I: Recitative: Es begab sich aber zu der Zeit … (Evangelist)1:20Johann Sebastian Bach
03Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248: Part I: Recitative: Nun wird mein liebster Brautigam … (Alto)1:19Johann Sebastian Bach
04Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248: Part I: Aria: Bereite dich, Zion, mit zartlichen Trieben … (Alto)5:07Johann Sebastian Bach
05Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248: Part I: Chorale: Wie soll ich dich empfangen (Chorus)1:36Johann Sebastian Bach
06Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248: Part I: Recitative: Und sie gebar ihren ersten Sohn … (Evangelist)0:23Johann Sebastian Bach
07Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248: Part I: Chorale and Recitative: Er ist auf Erden kommen arm, Wer will die Liebe recht erhohn … (Soprano, Bass)2:55Johann Sebastian Bach
08Christmas Oratorio, Bwv 248: Part I: Aria: Grosser Herr, O Starker Konig … (Bass)5:07Johann Sebastian Bach
09Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248: Part I: Chorale: Ach, mein herzliebes Jesulein … (Chorus)1:46Johann Sebastian Bach
11Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248: Part II: Und es waren Hirten in derselben Gegend … (Evangelist)0:39Johann Sebastian Bach
12Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248: Part II: Chorale: Brich an, o schones Morgenlicht … (Chorus)1:19Johann Sebastian Bach
13Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248: Part II: Und der Engel sprach zu ihnen, Furchtet euch nicht … (Evangelist)0:43Johann Sebastian Bach
14Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248: Part II: Recitative: Was Gott dem Abraham verheissen … (Bass)0:37Johann Sebastian Bach
15Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248: Part II: Aria: Frohe Hirten, eilt, ach eilet … (Tenor)3:21Johann Sebastian Bach
16Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248: Part II: Und das habt zum Zeichen … (Evangelist)0:26Johann Sebastian Bach
17Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248: Part II: Chorale: Schaut hin, dort liegt im finstern Stall … (Chorus)0:47Johann Sebastian Bach
18Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248: Part II: Recitative: So geht denn hin, ihr Hirten, geht … (Bass)1:05Johann Sebastian Bach
19Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248: Part II: Aria: Schlafe, mein Liebster, geniesse der Ruh … (Alto)9:50Johann Sebastian Bach
20Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248: Part II: Und alsobald war da bei dem Engel … (Evangelist)0:13Johann Sebastian Bach
21Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248: Part II: Ehre sei Gott in der Hohe … (Chorus)2:17Johann Sebastian Bach
22Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248: Part II: Recitative: So recht, ihr Engel, jauchzt und singet … (Bass)0:25Johann Sebastian Bach
23Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248: Part II: Chorale: Wir singen dir in deinem Heer … (Chorus)1:44Johann Sebastian Bach
24Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248: Part III: Herrscher des Himmels, erhore das Lallen … (Chorus)1:56Johann Sebastian Bach
25Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248: Part III: Und da die Engel von ihnen gen Himmel fuhren … (Evangelist)0:08Johann Sebastian Bach
26Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248: Part III: Lasset uns nun gehen gen Bethlehem … (Chorus)0:43Johann Sebastian Bach
27Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248: Part III: Recitative: Er hat sein Volk getrost … (Bass)0:47Johann Sebastian Bach
28Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248: Part III: Chorale: Dies hat er alles uns getan … (Chorus)0:47Johann Sebastian Bach
29Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248: Part III: Aria (Duet): Herr, dein Mitleid, dein Erbarmen … (Soprano, Bass)7:12Johann Sebastian Bach
30Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248: Part III: Und sie kamen eilend … (Evangelist)1:28Johann Sebastian Bach
31Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248: Part III: Aria: Schliesse, mein Herze, dies selige Wunder … (Alto)5:16Johann Sebastian Bach
32Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248: Part III: Recitative: Ja, ja, mein Herz soll es bewahren … (Alto)0:27Johann Sebastian Bach
33Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248: Part III: Choral: Ich will dich mit Fleiss bewahren … (Chrous)0:54Johann Sebastian Bach
34Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248: Part III: Und die Hirten kehrten wieder um … (Evangelist)0:28Johann Sebastian Bach
35Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248: Part III: Choral: Seid froh dieweil, dass euer Heil … (Chorus)0:42Johann Sebastian Bach
36Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248: Part III: Chorus: Herrscher des Himmels, erhore das Lallen1:52Johann Sebastian Bach
37Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248: Part IV: Fallt mit Danken, fallt mit Loben … (Chorus)5:39Johann Sebastian Bach
38Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248: Part IV: Und da acht Tage um waren … (Evangelist)0:36Johann Sebastian Bach
39Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248: Part IV: Recitative with Chorale: Immanuel, o susses Wort (Bass, Soprano)1:59Johann Sebastian Bach
40Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248: Part IV: Aria: Flosst, mein Heiland, flosst dein Namen … (Soprano)5:33Johann Sebastian Bach
41Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248: Part IV: Recitative with Chorale: Wohlan, dein Name soll allein (Soprano, Bass)1:11Johann Sebastian Bach
42Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248: Part IV: Aria: Ich will nur dir zu Ehren leben … (Tenor)4:40Johann Sebastian Bach
43Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248: Part IV: Chorale: Jesus richte mein Beginnen … (Chorus)1:53Johann Sebastian Bach
44Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248: Part V: Ehre sei dir, Gott gesungen … (Chorus)6:32Johann Sebastian Bach
45Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248: Part V: Recitative: Da Jesus geboren war zu Bethlehem … (Evangelist)0:21Johann Sebastian Bach
46Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248: Part V: Chorus and Recitative: Wo ist der neugeborne Konig der Juden? … (Alto, Chorus)1:48Johann Sebastian Bach
47Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248: Part V: Chorale: Dein Glanz all Finsternis verzehrt … (Chorus)0:53Johann Sebastian Bach
48Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248: Part V: Aria: Erleucht auch meine finstre Sinnen … (Bass)4:52Johann Sebastian Bach
49Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248: Part V: Recitative: Da das der Konig Herodes horte … (Evangelist)0:10Johann Sebastian Bach
50Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248: Part V: Recitative: Warum wollt ihr erschrecken?… (Alto, Tenor)0:31Johann Sebastian Bach
51Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248: Part V: Recitative: Und liess versammlen alle Hohepriester… (Evangelist)1:23Johann Sebastian Bach
52Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248: Part V: Aria (Trio): Ach, wenn wird die Zeit erscheinen … (Soprano, Alto, Tenor)5:51Johann Sebastian Bach
53Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248: Part V: Recitative: Mein Liebster herrschet schon … (Alto)0:31Johann Sebastian Bach
54Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248: Part V: Choral: Zwar ist solche Herzensstube … (Chorus)0:55Johann Sebastian Bach
55Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248: Part VI: Chorus: Herr, wenn die stolzen Feinde schnauben … (Chorus)4:35Johann Sebastian Bach
56Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248: Part VI: Recitative: Da berief Herodes die Weisen heimlich … (Evangelist)0:50Johann Sebastian Bach
57Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248: Part VI: Recitative: Du Falscher, suche nur den Herrn zu fallen … (Soprano)0:49Johann Sebastian Bach
58Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248: Part VI: Aria: Nur ein Wink von seinen Handen … (Soprano)4:01Johann Sebastian Bach
59Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248: Part VI: Recitative: Als sie nun den Konig gehoret hatten … (Evangelist)1:16Johann Sebastian Bach
60Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248: Part VI: Choral: Ich steh an deiner Krippen hier … (Chorus)1:26Johann Sebastian Bach
61Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248: Part VI: Recitative: Und Gott befahl ihnen im Traum … (Evangelist)0:23Johann Sebastian Bach
62Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248: Part VI: Recitative: So geht! Genug, mein Schatz geht nicht von hier … (Tenor)1:45Johann Sebastian Bach
63Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248: Part VI: Aria: Nun mogt ihr stolzen Feinde schrecken … (Tenor)4:56Johann Sebastian Bach
64Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248: Part VI: Recitative (Quartet): Was will der Holle Schrekken nun … (Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass)0:37Johann Sebastian Bach
65Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248: Part VI: Choral: Nun seid ihr wohl gerochen … (Chorus)3:20Johann Sebastian Bach
66An Introduction to … BACH, J.S.: Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248: Gotteslob und Furstenruhm: Ein Oratorium zur Heiligen Weihnacht4:57Max Hanft
67An Introduction to … BACH, J.S.: Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248: Gotteslob und Furstenruhm: Das Bachische Collegium musicum5:48Max Hanft
68An Introduction to … BACH, J.S.: Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248: Gotteslob und Furstenruhm: Ein Gluckwunschchor wird aufbereitet7:15Max Hanft
69An Introduction to … BACH, J.S.: Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248: Gotteslob und Furstenruhm: Eine Arie und zwei Affekte10:27Max Hanft
70An Introduction to … BACH, J.S.: Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248: Und es waren Hirten auf dem Felde: Ein Kinderlied auf die Weihnacht4:57Max Hanft
71An Introduction to … BACH, J.S.: Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248: Und es waren Hirten auf dem Felde: Die Chorale im Weihnachtsoratorium6:13Max Hanft
72An Introduction to … BACH, J.S.: Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248: Und es waren Hirten auf dem Felde: Ein Wiegenlied fur des Hochsten Sohn7:08Max Hanft
73An Introduction to … BACH, J.S.: Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248: Und es waren Hirten auf dem Felde: Hirten und Engelsmusik4:51Max Hanft
74An Introduction to … BACH, J.S.: Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248: Und es waren Hirten auf dem Felde: Der Gesang der himmlischen Heerscharen5:12Max Hanft
75An Introduction to … BACH, J.S.: Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248: Wir haben seinen Stern gesehen: Bach und sein Thomanerchor8:25Max Hanft
76An Introduction to … BACH, J.S.: Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248: Wir haben seinen Stern gesehen: Die Hirten im Lukas-Evangelium4:46Max Hanft
77An Introduction to … BACH, J.S.: Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248: Wir haben seinen Stern gesehen: Der Auftritt der Magier6:29Max Hanft
78An Introduction to … BACH, J.S.: Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248: Wir haben seinen Stern gesehen: Die Herodes-Episode9:16Max Hanft
79An Introduction to … BACH, J.S.: Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248: Hirt und Konig, Licht und Sonne: Jesu Namensgebung5:53Max Hanft
80An Introduction to … BACH, J.S.: Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248: Hirt und Konig, Licht und Sonne: Anrufungen des Herrn12:55Max Hanft
81An Introduction to … BACH, J.S.: Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248: Hirt und Konig, Licht und Sonne: Wundersam durcheinander arbeitende Stimmen6:12Max Hanft
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Bach: Weihnachtsoratorium (mit einer Werkeinführung)
Johann Sebastian Bach Lyrics
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