This is a 1734 Christmas cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach that serves as the first part of his Christmas Oratorio. Bach was then Thomaskantor, responsible for church music at four churches in Leipzig, a position he had assumed in 1723. For the oratorio, the libretto by an unknown author followed the nativity of Jesus from…
J.S. Bach: Christmas Oratorio BWV 248 I ‘Jauchzet, Frohlocket’ (J.S. Bach Foundation)
J.S. Bach’s ‘Christmas Oratorio’ Captures Many Aspects of the Holiday
The purpose of music composed for holy days is to remind us of the very meaning of those days. English speakers are blessed to have Handel’s “Messiah” as a magnificent reminder of Christmas. Though Handel wrote only a portion of his famous oratorio for Christmas (the “Hallelujah” chorus is meant for Good Friday, and much…
US News
- Jack PhillipsPresident Joe Biden on Sunday issued a major disaster declaration in Mississippi after tornadoes left dozens of people dead, according to a White House statement. Biden early on Sunday “declared… [...]
- Jack PhillipsFormer President Donald Trump is now suggesting Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg may have dropped his case against him, about a week after he claimed he would be arrested. After… [...]
- Efthymis OraiopoulosA business jet flying over New England on March 3 experienced malfunction in its autopilot system resulting in the death of a former Obama administration official, according to a U.S.… [...]
- Jan JekielekThis episode has been selected for our Sunday Watch Party this Sunday, March 26 at 7:30pm ET. What does that mean? During the watch party, everyone—even without a subscription—will be… [...]
- The Associated PressPresident Joe Biden early Sunday issued an emergency declaration for Mississippi, making federal funding available to Carroll, Humphreys, Monroe, and Sharkey counties, the areas hardest hit Friday night by a… [...]
- Scottie BarnesA growing chorus of interest groups is calling for a pause in offshore wind activities to allow further assessment of the sector’s impacts on the marine ecosystem. Congressman Jeff Van… [...]
- The Associated PressKEY WEST, Fla.—Two Cuban migrants used a motorized hang glider to fly the approximately 90 miles (145 kilometers) from the communist island to Key West on Saturday, Florida officials said.… [...]
- ReutersPORT-AU-PRINCE—A U.S. State Department spokesperson said Saturday the government is aware of reports of two U.S. citizens missing in Haiti, after media outlets said a Florida couple had been kidnapped.… [...]
- Jeff LouderbackFlorida Gov. Ron DeSantis won the state’s 2018 Republican gubernatorial primary and then edged a heavily favored Democrat candidate in the general election because of Donald Trump’s endorsement, the former… [...]
- Mimi Nguyen LySenate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has been released home after completing inpatient physical therapy at a rehabilitation facility, following a concussion he suffered earlier this month. The 81-year-old senator had a fall… [...]