[New Dominion Chorale: A Singers' Cooperative]
Christmas Oratorio by J.S. Bach
J. S. Bach's Christmas Oratorio (Cantatas I-III) has been published by New Dominion Chorale in four parts (SATB). The new, spirited English translation by the Chorale's Artistic Director, Thomas Beveridge, is available with a high-quality binding in a superb new engraving by Johnnye Egnot. The price is $15 per score for 1-9, and $12 per score for 10 or more.

You can use our forms to submit an order or request information.

You may be interested in the review of New Dominion Chorale's 1998 performance, or in a commentary on singing in the language of the audience.

Notes by Thomas Beveridge

J. S. Bach assembled six cantatas on the theme of Christmas and Epiphany in 1734 and called it "Weihnachtsoratorium" or Christmas Oratorio. His success with the St. Matthew Passion and St. John Passion was behind this idea, and it is evident that he was in a hurry to put it all together. Just as Handel had borrowed from himself (and others!) to construct the 3-hour-long Messiah in 21 days, so Bach borrowed extensively from his own secular cantatas (honoring his patrons) to put sacred words to his best choruses and arias to create this oratorio.

Bach's Christmas Oratorio was never performed in its entirety during his lifetime. He did perform each of the separate cantatas on appropriate Sundays of Advent, Christmas and Epiphany. The first performance of the entire work took place in 1857 -- over 100 years after Bach's death -- in Berlin.

New Dominion Chorale's publication includes the three cantatas telling the story of the birth of Jesus. I have prepared the translation into English especially for this score. The singing of the chorales was intended by Bach to be joined by the entire congregation, which knew them by heart. These great hymns are the centerpiece around which the Christmas Oratorio is designed, and the participation of everyone -- chorus, soloists, orchestra and audience -- makes this music a rare experience.
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