Bach's Christmas Oratorio (BWV 248) is a cycle of six cantatas composed for the Christmas season of 1734-35, when Johann Sebastian Bach served as cantor at St Thomas's Church in Leipzig. Despite its title, it is not an oratorio in the conventional sense but six independent cantatas, each written for a specific feast day from Christmas Day to Epiphany. Much of the music is reworked from earlier secular cantatas - the famous opening chorus 'Jauchzet, frohlocket' derives from a birthday cantata for the Saxon court. After falling into obscurity following Bach's death, the work received its first complete modern performance in Berlin in 1857 and has since become one of the most frequently performed choral works in the classical repertoire.
Copenhagen Phil performs the Christmas Oratorio in Copenhagen Cathedral on December 12, 2026 under the direction of English baroque specialist Laurence Cummings with the Copenhagen Boys' Choir.
Holmen's Church in Copenhagen hosted two separate performances of the Christmas Oratorio in December 2025 - with Copenhagen Bach Choir on December 9 and Copenhagen Cantata Choir on December 17.
Aarhus Bach Society and Vocal Ensemble Concert Clemens performed Christmas Oratorio parts I-III in Vor Frue Church in Aarhus on December 7, 2025.
Silkeborg Motet Choir and West Jutland Concert Choir performed the Christmas Oratorio with the baroque orchestra Ensemble Zimmermann - a total of approximately 100 participants distributed among choir, orchestra and four professional soloists.
The Christmas Oratorio was rediscovered with a complete performance in Berlin in 1857 - almost three decades after Felix Mendelssohn had revived interest in Bach with the St. Matthew Passion in 1829.
