Description

Bach's Christmas Oratorio, written in 1734, tells the story of Jesus' birth in a series of six cantatas. The text was most likely written by Christian Friedrich Henrici, also known as Picander, who wrote a number of Bach's libretti while he was living in Leipzig.

Similar to the Passions of St. Matthew and St. John, the Christmas Oratorio features arias and recitatives, two elements of Italian opera, and is told by an evangelist. It was composed to be performed between December 25 and January 6, the thirteen days of Christmas according to the Lutheran Church calendar, allowing the amazing gospel story to gradually come to life.