J. S. Bach : CANTATA – BWV 63 “Christen, ätzet diesen Tag” (Masaaki Suzuki)

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685 - 1750)

“Christen, ätzet diesen Tag”

(Christians, engrave this day)

BWV 63


Event:
Cantata for Christmas Day

Readings:
Epistle: Titus 2: 11-14 / Isaiah 9: 2-7; Gospel: Luke 2: 1-14

Composed:
Weimar, 1714-15

1st performance:
December 25, 1714 - Weimar

2nd performance:
December 25, 1723 – Leipzig

3rd performance:
December 25, 1729 - Leipzig

Text:
Johann Michael Heineccius (1674 - 1722)

Scoring:
Soloists: Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass; 4-part Chorus
Orchestra: 4 trumpets, timpani, 3 oboes, bassoon, 2 violins, viola, organ, continuo


Mvt. 1: Chorus (00:00)
Mvt. 2: Recitative (05:07)
Mvt. 3: Aria – Duet (08:11)
Mvt. 4: Recitative (16:14)
Mvt. 5: Aria – Duet (17:08)
Mvt. 6: Recitative (21:00)
Mvt. 7: Chorus (22:03)


Soprano: Ingrid Schmithüsen
Alto: Yoshikazu Mera
Tenor: Makoto Sakurada
Bass: Peter Kooy

Bach Collegium Japan

Masaaki Suzuki

Jul 1997, at the Kobe Shoin Women's University Chapel, Japan.