Jacopo Bassano, The Annunciation to the Shepherds, Belvoir Castle, Leicestershire, England, 1533Cantata for the Second Day of Christmas
December 26 (Weihnachts-Oratorium II)
Und es waren Hirten in derselben Gegend
And there were shepherds in the same area
BWV 248-II
Event: Cantata for the 2nd Day of Christmas [Christmas Monday, St. Stefanus Day]
1st Performance: December 26, 1734 - Leipzig
Event: Cantata for the 2nd Day of Christmas [Christmas Monday, St. Stefanus Day]
1st Performance: December 26, 1734 - Leipzig
Readings: Epistle: Titus. 3: 4-7 / Acts 6: 8-15 & 7: 55-60; Gospel: Matthew 23: 35-39 / Luke 2: 15-20Text: Christian Friedrich Henrici (Picander); Johann Rist (Mvt. 3); Paul Gerhardt (Mvts. 8, 14)
Click to read a brief commentary by Simon Crouch.Christmas Oratorio - Cantata for the Second Day of Christmas - performed by:
Click for explanation.
Unfortunately there is no one recording available for universal, free online listening:
Click to read a brief commentary by Simon Crouch.Christmas Oratorio - Cantata for the Second Day of Christmas - performed by:
Click for explanation.
Unfortunately there is no one recording available for universal, free online listening:
NML & CML:
Rilling - 2
Soprano: Sibylla Rubens; Alto: Ingeborg Danz; Tenor [Evangelist]: James Taylor; Tenor: Marcus Ullmann; Bass: Hanno Müller-Brachmann; Gächinger Kantorei Stuttgart / Bach-Collegium Stuttgart; Helmuth Rilling (2) conducting; 2nd recording of Weihnachts-Oratorium BWV 248 by H. Rilling. Recorded live at Liederhalle Stuttgart, Beethovensaal, Germany. (NML search: CD92.076 ) (CML search: BWV 248 Rilling)
Rilling - 2
Soprano: Sibylla Rubens; Alto: Ingeborg Danz; Tenor [Evangelist]: James Taylor; Tenor: Marcus Ullmann; Bass: Hanno Müller-Brachmann; Gächinger Kantorei Stuttgart / Bach-Collegium Stuttgart; Helmuth Rilling (2) conducting; 2nd recording of Weihnachts-Oratorium BWV 248 by H. Rilling. Recorded live at Liederhalle Stuttgart, Beethovensaal, Germany. (NML search: CD92.076 ) (CML search: BWV 248 Rilling)
NML:
1) Rilling - 1
Soprano: Arleen Augér; Alto: Julia Hamari; Tenor: Peter Schreier; Bass: Wolfgang Schöne; Echo-soprano: Christa Muckenheim; Gächinger Kantorei Stuttgart / Bach-Collegium Stuttgart;
Helmuth Rilling conducting; 1st recording of Weihnachts-Oratorium BWV 248 by H. Rilling. Recorded at Gedächtniskirche Stuttgart, Germany.
(NML search: CD94.010)
2) Rilling - 3
Soprano: Hampe, Christine; Soprano: Cuccaro, Costanza; Soprano: Bargen-Meister, Martina von; Alto: Browner, Alison; Alto: Schiml, Marga; Alto: Georg, Mechthild; Tenor: Kraus, Adalbert, Bass: Heldwein, Walter; Bass: Schone, Wolfgang; Stuttgart Gachinger Kantorei; Stuttgart Bach Collegium; Rilling, Helmuth conducting. NML search: CD94.018)
3) Wilhelm
Soprano: Krisztina Láki; Alto: Gisela Pohl; Tenor: Karl Markus, Bass: Berthold Possemeyer; Stuttgarter Hymnus-Chorknaben / Ensemble '76 Stuttgart; Gerhard Wilhelm conducting. (NML search: CD94.031)
4) Suzuki
Soprano: Monika Frimmer; Counter-tenor: Yoshikazu Mera; Tenor: Gerd Türk; Bass: Peter Kooy; Bach Collegium Japan; Masaaki Suzuki conducting. (NML search: BIS-CD-941-42)
5) Christophers
Soprano: Lynda Russell; Contralto: Catherine Wyn-Rogers; Tenor: Mark Padmore; Bass: Michael George; Soprano [Angel, Echo]: Libby Crabtree; The Sixteen Choir and Orchestra;
Harry Christophers conducting. (NML search: COR16017)
6) Oberfrank
Soprano: Ingrid Kertesi; Alto: Judit Németh; Tenor: Jozsef Mukk; Bass: Janos Tóth;
Hungarian Radio Chorus / Failoni Chamber Orchestra; Géza Oberfrank conducting.
(NML search: 8.550428-30)
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Christmas Oratorio - Cantata for the Second Day of Christmas
To listen to the entire cantata or an individual movement, click on underlined conductors' names.
To listen to the entire cantata for the Second Day of Christmas:
BNQ - NML: Rilling-1; Rilling-2; Rilling-3; Wilhelm; Suzuki; Christophers; Oberfrank
BOD: Rilling-1; Rilling-2; Rilling-3; Wilhelm; Suzuki; Christophers; Oberfrank
To listen to individual movements:
[10] 1) Sinfonia Flauto traverso I/II, Oboe d'amore I/II, Oboe da caccia I/II, Violino I/II, Viola, Continuo
BNQ - NML: Rilling-1; Rilling-2; Rilling-3; Wilhelm; Suzuki; Christophers; Oberfrank
BOD: Rilling-1; Rilling-2; Rilling-3; Wilhelm; Suzuki; Christophers; Oberfrank
[11] 2) Recitative [Tenor] Continuo
BNQ - NML: Rilling-1; Rilling-2; Rilling-3; Wilhelm; Suzuki; Christophers; Oberfrank
BOD: Rilling-1; Rilling-2; Rilling-3; Wilhelm; Suzuki; Christophers; Oberfrank
Taddeo Gaddi, Annunciation to the Shepherds, Cappella Baroncelli, Santa Crioce, Florence, 1327-30Evangelist:
Und es waren Hirten in derselben Gegend
And there were shepherds in the same area
auf dem Felde bei den Hürden,
in the fields with their flocks,
die hüteten des Nachts ihre Herde.
they watched over their flocks by night.
Und siehe, des Herren Engel trat zu ihnen,
And see, the angel of the Lord came to them
und die Klarheit des Herren leuchtet um sie,
and the glory of the Lord shone around them
und sie furchten sich sehr
and they were very afraid.
[12] 3) Chorale [S, A, T, B] Flauto traverso I/II in octava e Oboe d'amore I/II e Violino I col Soprano, Oboe da caccia I e Violino II coll'Alto, Oboe da caccia II e Viola col Tenore, Continuo
BNQ - NML: Rilling-1; Rilling-2; Rilling-3; Wilhelm ; Suzuki ; Christophers; Oberfrank
BOD: Rilling-1; Rilling-2; Rilling-3; Wilhelm; Suzuki; Christophers; Oberfrank
Brich an, o schönes Morgenlicht,
[12] 3) Chorale [S, A, T, B] Flauto traverso I/II in octava e Oboe d'amore I/II e Violino I col Soprano, Oboe da caccia I e Violino II coll'Alto, Oboe da caccia II e Viola col Tenore, Continuo
BNQ - NML: Rilling-1; Rilling-2; Rilling-3; Wilhelm ; Suzuki ; Christophers; Oberfrank
BOD: Rilling-1; Rilling-2; Rilling-3; Wilhelm; Suzuki; Christophers; Oberfrank
Brich an, o schönes Morgenlicht,
Break out, O beautiful light of morning,
Und lass den Himmel tagen!
and let the heavens dawn!
Du Hirtenvolk, erschrecke nicht,
You shepherd folk, do not fear
Weil dir die Engel sagen,
because the angels tell youDass dieses schwache Knäbelein
that this weak baby boy
Soll unser Trost und Freude sein,
shall be our consolation and joy,
Dazu den Satan zwingen,
subdue Satan
Und letztlich Friede bringen!
and bring peace at last!
13] 4) Recitative [Tenor, Soprano] Violino I/II, Viola, Continuo Evangelist (T), Angel (S)
BNQ - NML: Rilling-1; Rilling-2; Rilling-3; Wilhelm; Suzuki; Christophers; Oberfrank
BOD: Rilling-1; Rilling-2; Rilling-3; Wilhelm; Suzuki; Christophers; Oberfrank
Tenor:
Und der Engel sprach zu ihnen:
And the angel said to them:
Soprano:
Fürchtet euch nicht,
Do not fear,
siehe, ich verkündige euch große Freude,
See, I announce to you great joy
die allem Volke widerfahren wird.
which will befall all the people.
Denn euch ist heute der Heiland geboren,
For the saviour is born for you today,
welcher ist Christus, der Herr, in der Stadt David.
who is Christ, the Lord, in the city of David.
[14] 5) Recitative [Bass] Oboe d'amore I/II, Oboe da caccia I/II, Continuo
BNQ - NML: Rilling-1; Rilling-2; Rilling-3; Wilhelm; Suzuki; Christophers; Oberfrank
BOD: Rilling-1; Rilling-2; Rilling-3; Wilhelm; Suzuki; Christophers; Oberfrank
Was Gott dem Abraham verheißen,
What God promised to Abraham
Das lässt er nun dem Hirtenchor
He now allows to the band of shepherds
Erfüllt erweisen.
To be shown as fulfilled.
Ein Hirt hat alles das zuvor
A shepherd had all beforehand
Von Gott erfahren müssen.
to learn from God.
Und nun muss auch ein Hirt die Tat,
And now also a shepherd must of the deed
Was er damals versprochen hat,
that was promised in the past
Zuerst erfüllet wissen.
first know of the fulfilment
[15] 6) Aria [Tenor] Flauto traverso I, Continuo
BNQ - NML: Rilling-1; Rilling-2; Rilling-3; Wilhelm; Suzuki; Christophers; Oberfrank
BOD: Rilling-1; Rilling-2; Rilling-3; Wilhelm; Suzuki; Christophers; Oberfrank
Benjamin Gerritsz Cuyp, Annunciation to the Shepherds, The State Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg, 1600sFrohe Hirten, eilt, ach eilet,
Joyful shepherds, hurry, ah hurry,
Eh ihr euch zu lang verweilet,
in case you linger too long,
Eilt, das holde Kind zu sehn!
Hurry to see the lovely child!
Geht, die Freude heißt zu schön,
Go, the joy is too beautiful,
Sucht die Anmut zu gewinnen,
seek to gain that loveliness,
Geht und labet Herz und Sinnn!
go and refresh your heart and mind!
[16] 7) Recitative [Tenor] Continuo
BNQ - NML: Rilling-1; Rilling-2; Rilling-3; Wilhelm; Suzuki; Christophers; Oberfrank
BOD: Rilling-1; Rilling-2; Rilling-3; Wilhelm; Suzuki; Christophers; Oberfrank
Evangelist:
Und das habt zum Zeichen:
And you shall have this for a sign:
Ihr werdet finden das Kind in Windeln gewickelt und in einer Krippe liegen.
You will find the child wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.
[17] 8) Chorale [S, A, T, B] flauto traverso I/II in octava e Oboe d'amore I/II e Violino I col Soprano, Oboe da caccia I e Violino II coll'Alto, Oboe da caccia II e Viola col Tenore, Continuo
BNQ - NML: Rilling-1; Rilling-2; Rilling-3; Wilhelm ; Suzuki; Christophers; Oberfrank
BOD: Rilling-1; Rilling-2; Rilling-3; Wilhelm; Suzuki; Christophers; Oberfrank
Schaut hin, dort liegt im finstern
Stall,Look, there lies in the dark stable
Des Herrschaft gehet überall!
one who has dominion over all!
Da Speise vormals sucht ein Rind,
Where once an ox sought food
Da ruhet itzt der Jungfrau'n Kind.
now rests the Virgin's child.
[18] 9) Recitative [Bass] Oboe d'amore I/II, Oboe da caccia I/II, Continuo
BNQ - NML: Rilling-1; Rilling-2; Rilling-3; Wilhelm; Suzuki; Christophers; Oberfrank
BOD: Rilling-1; Rilling-2; Rilling-3; Wilhelm; Suzuki; Christophers; Oberfrank
So geht denn hin, ihr Hirten, geht,
Then go there, you shepherds, go,
Dass ihr das Wunder seht:
that you may see the wonder:
Und findet ihr des Höchsten Sohn
And if you find the son of the Highest
In einer harten Krippe liegen,
lying in a hard manger,
So singet ihm bei seiner Wiegenthen
sing to him in his cradle
Aus einem süßen Tonin
a sweet tone
Und mit gesamtem Chor
and with the whole choir
Dies Lied zur Ruhe vor!
this song for his rest!
[19] 10) Aria [Alto] Flauto traverso I, Oboe d'amore I/II, Oboe da caccia I/II, Violino I/II, Viola, Continuo
BNQ - NML: Rilling-1; Rilling-2; Rilling-3; Wilhelm ; Suzuki; Christophers; Oberfrank
BOD: Rilling-1; Rilling-2; Rilling-3; Wilhelm; Suzuki; Christophers; Oberfrank
Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, Mary and Child with Angels Playing Music, Museum of Fine Arts, Budapest, 1675
Schlafe, mein Liebster, genieße der Ruh,
Sleep, my dearest, enjoy your rest.
Wache nach diesem vor aller Gedeihen!
wake after this so that all may thrive!
Labe die Brust,
Comfort the breast,
Empfinde die Lust,
feel the pleasure
Wo wir unser Herz erfreuen!
with which we make glad our hearts!
[20] 11) Recitative [Tenor] Continuo
BNQ - NML: Rilling-1; Rilling-2; Rilling-3; Wilhelm; Suzuki; Christophers; Oberfrank
BOD: Rilling-1; Rilling-2; Rilling-3; Wilhelm; Suzuki; Christophers; Oberfrank
Evangelist:
Und alsobald war da bei dem Engel
And at once there was with the angel
die Menge der himmlischen Heerscharen,
a multitude of the heavenly host
Sleep, my dearest, enjoy your rest.
Wache nach diesem vor aller Gedeihen!
wake after this so that all may thrive!
Labe die Brust,
Comfort the breast,
Empfinde die Lust,
feel the pleasure
Wo wir unser Herz erfreuen!
with which we make glad our hearts!
[20] 11) Recitative [Tenor] Continuo
BNQ - NML: Rilling-1; Rilling-2; Rilling-3; Wilhelm; Suzuki; Christophers; Oberfrank
BOD: Rilling-1; Rilling-2; Rilling-3; Wilhelm; Suzuki; Christophers; Oberfrank
Evangelist:
Und alsobald war da bei dem Engel
And at once there was with the angel
die Menge der himmlischen Heerscharen,
a multitude of the heavenly host
die lobten Gott und sprachen:
who praised God and said:
[21] 12) Chorus Flauto traverso I/II, Oboe d'amore I/II, Oboe da caccia I/II, Violino I/II, Viola, Continuo
BNQ - NML: Rilling-1; Rilling-2; Rilling-3; Wilhelm; Suzuki; Christophers; Oberfrank
BOD: Rilling-1; Rilling-2; Rilling-3; Wilhelm; Suzuki; Christophers; Oberfrank
Angels:
Ehre sei Gott in der Höhe und Friede auf Erden und den Menschen ein Wohlgefallen.
Glory to God in the highest and peace on earth and goodwill towards men.
[22] 13) Recitative [Bass] Continuo
BNQ - NML: Rilling-1; Rilling-2; Rilling-3; Wilhelm; Suzuki; Christophers; Oberfrank
BOD: Rilling-1; Rilling-2; Rilling-3; Wilhelm; Suzuki; Christophers; Oberfrank
who praised God and said:
[21] 12) Chorus Flauto traverso I/II, Oboe d'amore I/II, Oboe da caccia I/II, Violino I/II, Viola, Continuo
BNQ - NML: Rilling-1; Rilling-2; Rilling-3; Wilhelm; Suzuki; Christophers; Oberfrank
BOD: Rilling-1; Rilling-2; Rilling-3; Wilhelm; Suzuki; Christophers; Oberfrank
Angels:
Ehre sei Gott in der Höhe und Friede auf Erden und den Menschen ein Wohlgefallen.
Glory to God in the highest and peace on earth and goodwill towards men.
[22] 13) Recitative [Bass] Continuo
BNQ - NML: Rilling-1; Rilling-2; Rilling-3; Wilhelm; Suzuki; Christophers; Oberfrank
BOD: Rilling-1; Rilling-2; Rilling-3; Wilhelm; Suzuki; Christophers; Oberfrank
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Sandro Botticelli, Mystic Nativity (detail), National Gallery, London, 1500So recht, ihr Engel, jauchzt und singet
It is right, you Angels, that you should rejoice and sing
Dass es uns heut so schön gelinget!
that it has turned out so well for us today!
Auf denn! wir stimmen mit euch ein,
Up then! We shall join with you,
Uns kann es so wie euch erfreun.
It can delight us as well as you.
[23] 14) Chorale [S, A, T, B] Flauto traverso I/II, Oboe d'amore I/II, Oboe da caccia I/II, Violino I/II, Viola, Continuo
BNQ - NML: Rilling-1; Rilling-2; Rilling-3; Wilhelm; Suzuki; Christophers; Oberfrank
BOD: Rilling-1; Rilling-2; Rilling-3; Wilhelm; Suzuki; Christophers; Oberfrank
Wir singen dir in deinem Heer
We sing to you in your
aller Kraft, Lob, Preis und Ehr,
with all our might: “Praise, honour and glory,”
Dass du, o lang gewünschter Gast,
that you,o guest we have long desired,
Dich nunmehr eingestellet hast.
have now appeared.
The German Text: http://www.cs.ualberta.ca/~wfb/bach.html. The English Translation is by Francis Browne: http://www.bach-cantatas.com/Intro.htm. Both used by permission.
