JS Bach-Weihnachtsoratorium "Schließe, mein Herze" M Chance

Johann Sebastian Bach Weihnachtsoratorium, BWV 248/3 "Schließe, mein Herze, dies selige Wunder" In this recording: Michael Chance w/Orchestre du Collegium Vocale, Ghent/Ph. Herreweghe (1989) Weihnachtsoratorium, BWV 248 (The Christmas Oratorio) is a musical work by Johann Sebastian Bach celebrating the Christmas season. It consists of various chorales, arias and cantatas. It was written in 1734, although much of the music was recycled from the composer&earlier music, including three secular cantatas written in the same year (BWV 213, 214 and 215), a lost church cantata BWV 248a and the lost St. Mark Passion. It is likely that the text was written by Picander. It is in six parts, each part being a cantata intended for performance on one of the Twelve Days of Christmas (although the work is nowadays often performed as a whole). It is narrated by a Tenor Evangelist, and also makes extensive use of Lutheran hymns. Original text: Schließe, mein Herze, dies selige Wunder Fest in deinem Glauben ein! Lasse dies Wunder, die göttlichen Werke, Immer zur Stärke Deines schwachen Glaubens sein! Translation: Enclose, my heart, this blessed miracle Firmly within your faith! Let this miracle, these divine deeds Ever serve to strengthen Your weak faith!