Daniel Zimmermann - The Christmas Oratorio

By Daniel Zimmermann

The Christmas Oratorio of J. S. Bach is actually six cantatas rolled intoone. Its BWV number is 248.

Its mood corresponds to the joyousevent it celebrates. The very first chorus urges us to be cheerful:Jauchzet, frohlocket! Raise a triumphant cry! Banish allnegative feelings and proclaim to the world what the Almighty hasdone on this blessed day. Let us honor Him with splendid songs ofpraise.

An evangelist then utters arecitative. In Luthers excellent German translation of Lukesequally excellent Greek, we hear the beginning of the Christmasstory. Mary is about to give birth, so it is not a good time forher to travel. But Caesar Augustus wants to improve his taxcollection system, so he decides to count the people in his RomanEmpire. To take part in the ensuing census, Mary and Joseph have toleave their snug home in Nazareth and travel southward to thesomewhat distant town of Bethlehem, since this was originally thehome of David, their ancestor.

They reach their goal without anytrouble, but it is evident that Marys Baby will soon see the lightof day. At this point, the evangelist interrupts his narrative sothat we may reflect on what he has said.

This reflection proves to bethreefold: a recitative, an aria, and a chorale verse. Even thoughthe evangelist has not told us who the Baby is, we know that it isJesus, our Lord and Savior.

Both the recitative and the ariaare written for alto voice. In a version that I heard, a young boyis the singer.

In the recitative, the expectedBaby is described as a Star that is about to shine on the world. Heis the Hero destined to spring from the descendants of Jacob. He isour Bridegroom.

The recitative concludes by urgingZion to stop crying and enjoy the presence of the expected Savior,and this is the theme of the ensuing aria. Since Zions Bridegroomis about to appear, her cheeks should be beautiful when He comes,i.e., not stained with tears. Prepare yourself, and hasten to meetHim with tender love.

How do we react when urged to meetour Savior? The ensuing chorale verse by Paul Gerhardt raises thisquestion: How am I to receive Thee? How shall I meet Thee, O Joyof all the world and Adornment of my soul? O Jesus, enlighten mewith the torch of Thy wisdom that I may understand what pleasesThee.

Theevangelist then sings the concluding verses of Luke 2:1-7, the texton which the first cantata in Bachs Christmas Oratorio is based. Mary and Joseph reachBethlehem, but there is no room in the inn. They eventually findmake-shift shelter in a stable. In these humble surroundings, theSavior of the world is born.

Such an earthshaking event is afruitful source of meditation. Accordingly, Bach presents piousreflections in a duet, an aria and a chorale verse.

The duet is somewhat unusual. Icall it a duet because I do not know what else to call it. A boysoprano sings a chorale verse, while a bass sings a reflectiverecitative. And they sing in a sort of antiphonal manner. The boysings a line of the choral; then the bass offers reflections. Thiscontinues until the chorale verse ends with Kyrieleis.

The chorale sung by the boy isGelobet seist du, Jesu Christ, a hymn of Martin Luther. He singsonly the sixth verse, but let us look at the setting.

The first two verses describe thebirth of Jesus. He is born of a virgin. He is the only Child of theeternal Father. His bed is a manger.

In verses three to five, Luthermakes various reflective comments. For example, Luther tells usthat He illuminates the world in the middle of the night and thatHe has come to take us away from this valley of sorrow.

Then comes the verse that Bachuses here. Jesus suffers poverty on earth in order that He mightmake us rich in heaven. Because of His mercy, we shall resemble theblessed angels.

In the antiphonal recitative, thebass singer wonders how he could possibly offer Jesus Christsufficient praise for the love that He showed when He humbledHimself and became man.

In the ensuing aria, the same basssinger offers reflections that more or less correspond to his aria.Jesus Christ is the great Lord who has created all the glories thatwe see on earth. Yet he willingly lies in a humblemanger.

After this aria, the chorus singsa verse of another Christmas chorale of Martin Luther: thewell-known From heaven above to earth I come. As we would expect,the verse is a reflective prayer. My dear little Jesus, make aclean soft bed for Thyself in the shrine of my heart, so that Ishall never forget Thee.

Thischorale concludes the cantata, but as previously mentioned, thereare a total of six cantatas in the Christmas Oratorio.

Thesecond cantata of the Christmas Oratorio begins with an instrumental piece called asinfonia. It is a fitting melody for the pastoral scene that isabout to take place.

Then the evangelist begins topresent what I consider the most charming verses in the the entireBible. Shepherds were abiding in the field, keeping watch overtheir flocks by night. Suddenly an angel appeared to them, and theglory of the Lord shone round about him. Quite understandably, theshepherds were sore afraid.

Atthis point, the evangelist pauses, and the chorus sings the firstverse of Brich an, O sch nes Morgenlicht. Its author was Johann Rist(1607-1667).

The verse is basically a messageto the shepherds, urging them not to be afraid of the angels, sincethey are bringing a wonderful message: that this weak Boy willbless the world with consolation, joy, and peace.

To an extent, this hymn verse isfitting at this point. The shepherds were afraid, so the choruscomforts them. Note, however, that the chorus comments on themessage of the angel before the evangelist tells us what hismessage is. Homer sometimes nodded, and so does Bach, or at leasthis librettist.

Since the chorus has alreadyspilled the beans, it is fitting that the Christmas narrativeresume immediately. However Bach gives only one line to theevangelist: And the angel said to them. Then the words that theangel said are sung by the boy soprano: Fear not! Behold, I ambringing you good news that all people will enjoy. For Christ, theSavior of the world, has been born today. You will find him in thecity of David.

The bass then offers food forthought. He points out that shepherds were the first to hear aboutthe fulfillment of a promise made to Abraham, who himself was ashepherd, since he owned sheep, among other things.

An aria then urges the shepherdsto go and see the lovely

Child, the sight of whom willsurely refresh their hearts and minds.

The Christmas narrative thenresumes. Even though the first part of the angels message wasgiven to the boy soprano, Bach now permits the evangelist toperform his normal function, saying: And this shall be a sign untoyou. Ye shall find the Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lyingin a manger.

The chorus then sings anotherchorale: a single verse from a very long chorale by Paul Gerhardt.This time the chorale verse is a very fitting comment on the wordsof the evangelist. It urges us to contemplate the amazing scene.The Lord of all is lying in the place where an ox usually eats hishay.

The bass then sings a recitative.He urges the shepherds to go and see the marvelous sight. He wantsthe shepherds to sing a sweet lullaby to Jesus.

In response, the boy alto sings alullaby in perfect da capo aria form.

The evangelist then continues St.Lukes narrative. A host of angels suddenly appeared to theshepherds, enthusiastically praising the Lord.

The evangelist then allows thechorus to tell us what the angels said: Glory to God in thehighest, and on earth peace, good will to men. This message istreated contrapuntally.

A bass recitative follows. Heapproves of the joyful song of the angels and wants to join intheir praises.