JS Bach at Christmas

Donald Macleod invites us to join Bach and his family during the Christmas season, at five different periods in his life.

Christmas can be special wherever you live, but to experience a truly Christmassy Christmas, many would say that the only place to go is Germany. Plenty of Britain’s favourite Yuletide traditions originated there and Germany’s citizens have always had a special knack for celebrating this time of year. This was certainly true in J.S. Bach’s lifetime and, right through his career, he produced quantities of amazing Christmas music that we still love and revere today. All this week, Donald Macleod invites us to join Bach and his family during the Christmas season, at five different periods in his life, to see how his story develops and revel in the glorious works he created for Christmastime.

Music Featured:

Chorale Prelude: Gott, durch deine Güte, BWV 600 Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ, BWV 91: Opening Chorus Sehet, welch eine Liebe hat uns der Vater erzeiget, BWV 64: 5. Was die Welt in sich hält Darzu ist erschienen der Sohn Gottes, BWV 40 Magnificat in E-Flat Major, BWV 243a: Movts. 10-16 Wachet! betet! betet! wachet', BWV 70a: Opening chorus In dulci jubilo, BWV 608 Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben, BWV 147: 5. Bereite dir, Jesu, noch itzo die Bahn & 6. Wohl mir, daß ich Jesum habe Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland, BWV 599 Tritt auf die Glaubensbahn, BWV 152: 1. Sinfonia Der Himmel dacht auf Anhalts Ruhm und Glück, BWV 66a: 2. Traget ihr Lufte den Jubel von hinnen Brandenburg Concerto No 4: 1. Allegro Christmas Oratorio, BWV248, Part 6: Opening Chorus: Herr, wenn die stolzen Feinde schnauben Concerto for Two Violins in D minor, BWV1043: 2. Largo ma non tanto Flute Sonata No 4 in C major, BWV1033: 1. Andante: Presto & 2. Allegro Mass in B minor, BWV 232: Domine Deus Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248 Unser Mund sei voll Lachens, BWV 110: Opening Chorus A Musical Offering, BWV 1079, Sonata sopr'il Sogetto Reale a Traversa, Violino e Continuo: 1. Largo & 2. Allegro Canonic Variations on 'Vom Himmel hoch, da komm ich her', BWV 769 Gloria in excelsis Deo, BWV 191 Puer natus in Bethlehem, BWV 603

Presented by Donald Macleod Produced by Chris Taylor

For full track listings, including artist and recording details, and to listen to the pieces featured in full (for 30 days after broadcast) head to the series page for JS Bach at Christmas https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001g3hl

And you can delve into the A-Z of all the composers we’ve featured on Composer of the Week here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3cjHdZlXwL7W41XGB77X3S0/composers-a-to-z