Bachian Christmas Time (Turning Time); Epiphany Time

William L. Hoffman wrote (January 14, 2024)
In comparison with his other composer colleagues, Sebastian Bach at Christmas Time produced a great quality and diversity rather than a quantity of music for this most popular of feast days. Leipzig was the leading Protestant (Lutheran, Evangelical) city in Germany, given the phenomenal growth of its churches, the major University of Leipzig, and its position as the nation's economic center, says Günther Stiller.¹ There were three basic factors for the city's status: "religion was the main public arena," "Baroque music was embedded in religious culture, and, at the same time structured that culture," as well as the unparalleled "conflict between Pietists, and non-Pietists" over "secular status hierarchies, norms, and materialism," observes Tanya Kevorkian in her study of religion in Leipzig in Bach's time.² Bach's guide was the so-called Church Book in Duke' Heinrich's Agenda of 1719 (BCW) that defining the ingredients, scope, and emphases of the public services in the Leipzig churches which Bach used to determine the "Order of the Divine Service in Leipzig," found on the inside cover of his autograph score for Cantata 61, "Nun komm der Heiden Heiland," (Bach Digital) for the 1^st Sunday in Advent, 28 November 1723, the beginning of the church year.

Leipzig Liturgy, Seasons & Times

From these church guidelines as well as the historic one-year lectionary (Lutheran Church Missouri Synod = LCMS) in use in Bach's time, Bach developed a template for his sacred cantata church-year cycles of musical sermons involving mini-cycles (BCW) based on liturgical, church year, structural, and literary conventions. <<Full madrigalian cantatas were presented in Leipzig during most of the Sundays and feast days, totaling about 60 for an annual church year cycle. The closed periods in Leipzig when no figural music were presented were the seasons of Advent (2nd to 4th Sundays in Advent) and Lent (all five Sundays in Lent and Palm Sunday). Technically the Sundays after Epiphany and in Trinity relating to the miracles, parables and teachings of Jesus are considered times rather than seasons related to the life of Jesus Christ. The first Leipzig cycle presented a special challenge for Bach, covering the second half of the church year, Trinity Time, called omnes tempore or Ordinary Time. There are some 30 main services involving 25 Sundays after Trinity and the fixed festivals of John the Baptist (June 24), Visitation (July 2), Michael and all Angels (September 29) and Reformation Day (October 31). It is a contrast to the appealing first half of the church year, de tempore or Proper Time, with its emphasis on the life of Jesus Christ in 30 main services in a series of nine major three-day feast days (fixed Christmas, moveable Easter, Pentecost); six secondary feast days of New Year's (January 1), Epiphany (January 6), Purification (February 2), Annunciation (March 25), and moveable feast days of Ascension, and Trinity; and the some 15 Sundays after Christmas or New Year's involving five Sundays after Epiphany, Septuagesimae, Sexagesimae, Quinquagesimae Estomihi, Quasimodogeniti, Misericordias Domini, Jubilate, Kantate, Rogate, and Exaudi. The First Sunday After Trinity festival Sunday, occurring before the mid-summer equinox in June, marked the beginning of the Trinity Time second half-year of church services, which also was the beginning of Bach’s first two cantata cycles, and the beginning of the Thomas School scholastic term, as well as Bach position as Cantor. Thus, it was most fitting for Bach to establish a strong framework for his well-regulated church music with the use of appropriate and engaging chorales and lectionary references (Old Testament, Epistle, Gospel) for his musical sermons>> (source, "Bach's First Leipzig Church-Year Cycle (BCW)").

Leipzig Church Year: Mini-Cycles

The earliest mini-cycles at the beginning of the church year lay the foundation for the de tempore (Propers Time) Jesus Christ narrative in the first half of the church year and the omnes tempore (Ordinary Time) on the teachings of the Christian Church in the second half. The initial church year min-cycles involve the Advent anticipation of the incarnate coming of Jesus from the perspective of today's three-year Revised Common Lectionary (Wikipedia, Lectionary (ELCA)). Thus, a full-range of Bachian Advent cantatas for all four Sundays is realized with the applicable text as well as Advent works of other composers associated with Bach (see BCW). The second de tempore mini-cycle was the Christmas Time period from the Christmas Festival to the feast of Epiphany, known as the 12 days of Christmas with some six distinct, festive services off the three-day Christmas Festival, December 25-27, the Sunday after Christmas (BCW) or the 2nd Sunday after Christmas (Sunday after New Year, BCW), New Year's (BCW), and Feast of Epiphany (BCW). This period also is known as the Turning Time (BCW).

Other Bach Service Music

Bach's music also included other sacred music genres such as hymns (chorales, sacred songs), oratorios (feast day extended cantatas, Passion settings for Good Friday Vespers), and Latin Church Music (Mass Ordinary movements, Magnificat), and music of other composers Bach presented during the church year. In addition, Bach scholars-musicians are assembling a range of new sacred works based on previously-existing musical materials or textual sources familiar to Bach (BCW), most notably the Bach Stiftung (Foundation) new cantata assemblages in new contexts and the Bachfest Leipzig "BACH for Future" (BCW), commissioning diverse new formats, adaptations, reinterpretations, pasticcios, and transcriptions of existing materials.

Hauptgottesdienst Order

The liturgy of the early main service (Hauptgottesdienst) Mass begins with the Preparation (Nos. 1-4) and involves both the Service of the Word (Nos. 6-10) and the Service of the Sacrament (Nos. 12-14), and Dismissal (No. 15) for the Main Service; the appropriate readings of the day's Old Testament, the Gospel, and the Epistle (BCW); and the preferred chorales of Gottfried Vopelius' Neu Leipziger Gesangbuch (NLGB) of 1682 (Wikipedia), as well as Erhard Bodenschatz's Florilegium Portense ³ motet collection (Wikipedia). Bach took advantage of every opportunity to use music (chanted, sung, harmonized, polyphonic, instrumental) and texts both German and Latin, with more elaborate music performed during the festival main and afternoon vesper services, such as the polyphonic Gloria after the Kyrie and the Sanctus during Communion Preface, with the festive sepMagnificat, also during Marian observances.

The following is the English translation of the NBR editors using brackets, parentheses mine, with additions from Robin A. Leaver { . . . }:⁴

Order of the Divine Service in Leipzig

On the First Sunday in Advent: Morning [Service):

1. Preluding {Organ prelude}; (2) {Latin} Motet (Introit, Psalm, Old Testament); (3) {Missa: Kyrie and Gloria} Preluding on the Kyrie, which is performed throughout in concerted manner [musiciret (polyphonic)]; (4) Intoning before the altar [Salutation, verse and collect prayers]; (5) Reading of the Epistle [https://www.bach-cantatas.com/Read/index.htm]; (6) Singing of the Litany [Gradual & Alleluia]; (7) Preluding on [and singing of] the Chorale (Gradual Hymn of the Day, Hauptlied, de tempore); (8), Reading of the Gospel [crossed out: and intoning of the Creed]; (9) Preluding on [and performance of] the principal music [cantata]; (10) Singing of the Creed [Luther's Credo hymn]; (11) The Sermon (pulpit service) followed by Confession and Intercessions); (12), After the Sermon, as usual, singing of several verses of a [pulpit, chancel] hymn; (13) {the Lords Prayer and} Words of Institution (Verba) [of the sacrament]; (14), {Communion and Musica sub Communione} Preluding on [and performance of] the music [probably the second part of the cantata]. After the same, alternately preluding of chorales until the end of communion , et sic porro [on so on] [followed by collect prayer; {15} [Aaronic] Benediction and Benediction [congregational] Response [Gott sei uns gnädig und barmhertzig (Psalm 67, hymn BWV 323, https://www.bach-cantatas.com/INS/BWV323-00.htm)], hymn, Organ postlude}.

At his first Christmas in Leipzig in 1723 ⁵ as cantor and music director, Bach's accomplishments were impressive: An inaugural Christmas Mass done in both main churches, St. Nikolaus and St. Thomas, with both the morning festive service of the Visitation of Mary (Nativity) and the afternoon vespers (Vespergottesdienst), also in both churches, for the massive congregant turnouts that involved the extended, festive German Christmas Cantata 63, "Christen, ätzet diesen Tag" (Christians, etch ye now this day, Carus 31.063), the Christmas version of the Latin Magnificat in E-Flat Major, BWV 243.1, with the four new Christmas interpolations (Carus 31.243 and 31.243/50), and the Latin Sanctus in D major BWV 238 (Carus 31.238). Bach chose Cantata 63 because of its extensive festive nature in seven movements lasting a half-hour, with three instrumental choirs and four trumpets. The Musical Sequence for Christmas Day of Douglas Cowling is found at BCW: scroll down to between "Christmas Vesper Music" and to "Christmas Chorales." Cantata 63 was performed at both churches on Christmas morning during the Hauptgottesdienst (main service), and repeated in the afternoon at both churches during the Vespergottesdienst ⁶ (vesper service) which included the Sanctus, BWV 238 and the Magnificat, BWV 243.1, this Service of the Word only, without the Mass liturgy (Ordinary and Propers), lectionary (Epistle, no Gospel) and communion but with more music and lessons. The vesper service includes Preparation (Nos. 1-2); elements of the Word (major music, texts; Nos 2-7), and dismissal (Nos. 8-12).

More Christmas Time Music

During his Leipzig tenure, Bach continued to provide for Christmas Day seven festive works — BWV 63, 91, 110, 197a(.1), 248/1, 243.1, and 191 (BCW) as well as chorales and motets (see BCW), plus Latin works such as Sanctus settings and the Magnificat, in addition to the German Magnificat, Meine Seele erhebt den Herren, for the Feast of the Visitation (see BCW: "Other Magnificats"). The cantatas for the 2nd and 3rd Days of Christmas are less festive and interspersed with cantatas for St. Stephen's Day for the first Christian martyr (December 26) and St. John's Day (December 27) for the apostle and evangelist author of the non-synoptic gospel. Although these alternate dates in Leipzig were observed on even-numbered years, Bach had the flexibility to use the liturgy found in the Christmas Festival cantatas.⁷ Bach turned to the Darmstadt poet Georg Christian Lehms (1684-1717, BCW) for his 1711 intimate, almost entirely solo or dialogue cantatas, Gottgefälliges Kirche-Opffer (God-Pleasing Church-Sacrifices). Most notable is Cantata 57, "Selig ist der Mann" (Blessed is the man, James 1:12)a, see BCW: "Lehms Intimate Texts and Bach’s Uses"). This is a St. Stephens cantata which Alfred Dürr called Bach''s "Die Stephanuskantate." The Lehms cantata for St. John's Day, BWV 151, "Süßer Trost, mein Jesus kömmt" (Sweet comfort, my Jesus comes, BCW) has no direct references to John the evangelist while BWV 64, "Sehet, welch eine Liebe hat uns der Vater erzeiget" (Behold, what a love the Father has shown us, 1 John 3:1), for John's Day 1723, speaks of the Johannine Father's love.

A decade later, Bach began a series of full festive oratorios with his Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248, a series of six cantatas for the 12 days of Christmas 1734-34, also known as Turning Time: Christmas Day (Nativity, BCW: scroll down to "Discussions in the Week of December 24, 2017" [4th round]"), 2nd Day of Christmas (Annunciation, BCW: scroll down to "Discussions in the Week of December 31, 2017 [4th round]"), 3rd Day of Christmas (Adoration of the Shepherds, BCW: scroll down to "Discussions in the Week of January 7, 2018 [4th round]"), New Year's (Feast of Circumcision, Naming of Jesus, BCW: scroll down to "Discussions in the Week of January 7, 2018 [4th round]"); Sunday after New Years (2nd Sunday after Christmas, Magi Journey to Bethlehem, BCW: scroll down to "Discussions in the Week of January 14, 2018 [4th round]"), Epiphany (Adoration of Magi, BCW: scroll down to "Discussions in the Week of January 14, 2018 [4th round]).

Other Bach Works for Turning Time

Meanwhile, other liturgical dates are being filled in with other Bach works which can perform multiple duties, see the two most recent BML discussions, "New Advent Cantatas, Oratorio; All-Souls Day Cantatas," BCW, and "Musical Explorations, "BACH for Future": New Cantatas, Pasticcios, Adaptations," BCW. Bach was also fashioning the remaining six festive New Year's cantatas (BCW) which did multiple duty as celebrations of the civic New Year, which he first practiced annually at the Cöthen court (1718-23) with pcelebratory vocal serenades. Bach also created a special mini-cycle for Epiphany Time which also marked the beginning of the annual Leipzig Winter Fair.

Lectionary Services

Bach's annual church-year cantata cycle using the one-day single lectionary (LCMS) in Leipzig involved 28 Sundays and feast days in the first half of the church year (de tempore), 27 Sundays after Trinity in the second half (omnes tempore), and seven fixed feast dates of Marian and apostle feasts, and Reformation Day. During the extended Christmas Time, also known as Turning Time (BCW), there is an accounting of the services and music for these 12 days of Christmas, with the following services: Christmas Festival, December 25-27, Sunday after Christmas or Sunday after New Year (2nd Sunday after Christmas), New Year's (Circumcision and Name of Jesus), and Epiphany feast. In the three-day Christmas Festival, the 2nd Day of Christmas and the 3rd Day of Christmas did double duty, respectively, as St. Stephen's Day (the first Christian martyr) and St. John's Day (the Evangelist and non-synoptic gospel writer). The readings for the 2nd and 3rd Days of Christmas and the Bach works for those days are found at BCW.

In addition, this year's three-year Revised Common Lectionary (Wikipedia), the current 2024 Plan B, the Gospel of Mark, encompasses other observances also found in the single lectionary, not observed by Bach, but appropriate now for the three-year lectionary, observes John S. Sutterlund.⁸ For Christmas Time there is a Christmas Eve December 24 service (Luke 2:1-14, all 3 years ABC), Year A, BWV 110, alternate BWV 248/1; Year B, BWV 121, alternate BWV 91; Year C, BWV 248.1; alternate BWV 151. For Christmas Dawn (Annunciation to the Shepherds) December 25 (Luke 2:8-20, all 3 years ABC), Year A, BWV 91, alternate BWV 248/2; Year B, BWV 151, alternate BWV 133; Year C, BWV 248/2, alternate BWV 121. For Christmas Day (Adoration of the Shepherds), December 25 (John 1:1-14, all 3 years ABC) Year A, BWV 133, alternate BWV 248/3, alternate BWV 63. For St. Stephen's Day (December 26, Epistle Acts 6:8-7:2a, 51-60 and Gospel Luke 2:15-20, all 3 years ABC), BWV 57 and alternate BWV 46. For John, apostle and evangelist (December 27, John 21:20-25, all 3 years ABC), BWV 64, alternate BWVV 133; For Holy Innocents, Martyrs (December 28, Matthew 2:13-18, all 3 years ABC), BWV 58, alternate BWV 153. For First Sunday of Christmas (December 26-31), Year A (Matthew, 2:13-23), BWV 153, alternate BWV 58; Year B (Luke 2:22-40), BWV 83, alternate BWV 125; Year C (Luke 2:41-52), BWV 154, alternate BWV 32. Name of Jesus (January 1, Luke 2:15-21, all 3 years ABC), Year A, BWV 28, alternate BWV 148/4; Year B, BWV 190, alternate BWV 171; Year C, BWV 248/4, alternate BWV 143. Second Sunday of Christmas (Sunday after New Year's; January 2-5, John 1:1-18 all 3 years ABC), Year A, BWV 41, alternate BWV 173; Year B, BWV 122, alternate BWV 40; Year C, BWV 171, alternate, BWV 190. The feast of Epiphany on January 6 closes the Christmas Time (Turning Time) segment with the following: Year A (Matthew 3:13-17), BWV 7 and alternate, BWV 37.

ENDNOTES:

¹ Günther Stiller, Johann Sebastian Bach and Liturgical Life in Leipzig, Eng. trans. (St. Louis MO: Concordia, 1970), "Intensification of Liturgical Life at the Beginning of the Century": 39-47; original version, Johann Sebastian Bach und das Leipziger gottesdienstliche Leben seiner Zeit (Kassel: Bärenreiter Verlag, 1970).
² Tanya Kavorkian, Baroque Piety: Religion, Society and Music in Leipzig, 1650-1750 (Ashgate Publishing, 2007; paperback, Rouledge, Abingdon GB, 2016), Amazon.com; review, Amazon.com. "Order of the Divine Service in Leipzig" (BD I, no. 178), in The New Bach Reader: A Life of Johann Sebastian Bach in Letters and Documents, eds. Hans T. David & Arthur Mendel, rev. & enlarged Christoph Wolff (New York: W. W.Norton & Company, 1998: 113f) Amazon.com.
³ Erhard Bodenschatz's Florilegium Portense (Vespers Discussion, BCW: scroll down to "Thomas Braatz wrote (May 19, 2005):" with alpha list of all composers and some music, to "Order of Vespers."
⁴ Robin A. Leaver, "Bach's Music and the Leipzig Liturgy," in Bach Studies: Liturgy, Hymnology, and Theology essays (London: Routledge, 2021: 27-47), Amazon.com; Leaver's article is discussed at BCW: Leaver: Chapter 2, Bach’s Music, Leipzig Liturgy, "Hauptgottesdienst (Main Service)": 27-42; Vespergottesdienst (vesper service): 342-47.
⁵ Christmas Leipzig 1723: reconstruction of first Christmas Vespers in Leipzig; Dunedin Consort, John Butt (BCW, click on "Liner Notes"); music: YouTube: Reconstruction of Bach’s Christmas Vesper Liturgy 1723 … more (click on for TRACKLISTING); the four Christmas interpolations are Vom Himmel hoch, Freut euch und jubiliert, Gloria in excelsis Deo, Virga Jesse.
⁶ Vespergottesdienst: outline of Robin A. Leaver (Ibid.: 43-47) with John Butt music []: (1) Organ prelude ["Gott, durch deine Güte," BWV 600]; (2) Motet [Giovanni Gabrielli "Hodie Christus Natus est a8"]; Psalm(s), Prayer, Lord's Prayer, or cantata on special{major feast} days [Cantata 63]; (4) Hymn of the Day ["Vom Himmel hoch," organ prelude & congregational chorale] (5) Sermon (pulpit service with pulpit hymn, Epistle reading, Epistle exposition); (6) Intercessions; (7) Magnificat [in E-Flat major, BWV 243.1]; (8) Verse (season biblical) and collect; (9) Benediction and Benediction [congregation] Response [Gott sei uns gnädig und barmhertzig]; (10) Hymn ["Per natus in Bethlehem," BWV 603 organ prelude; Congregation Chorale ["Peur natus in Bethlehem," Neu Leipziger Gesangbuch]; (1), (vesper closing] Hymn, "Nun danket Alle Gott."
⁷ Christmas Festival Cantatas: works Bach composed for the 2nd and 3rd days of Christmas are analyzed in the following Bach Cantatas Website's Thomas Braatz articles: "Missing Indications for Saints’ Feast Days on Christmas Feast Days," analysis, BCW, further commentary, BCW. Other Bach Christmas/Epiphany cantatas of the third cycle are: December 25, BWV 110, "Unser Mund sei voll Lachens" (Our mouth is full of laughter (Lehms, chorus), December 26, BWV 57; December 27, Feast of St. John the Evangelist, BWV 151, Süßer Trost, mein Jesus kömmt (Lehms text, SATB solo); December 30, Sunday after Christmas, BWV 28, “Gottlob! Nun geht das Jahr zu Ende” (Neumeister, SATB solo with inserted motet); January 1, New Year’s Day, Cantata BWV 16, “Herr Gott, dich loben wir” (Lehms text with Luther German Te Deum opening chorale chorus); Sunday, January 6, Feast of the Epiphany, with Telemann setting of Lehms text, “Ich freue mich in Herrern,” TVWV 1:1826, or “Hier ist mein Herz,” TVWV 1:795. This constitutes a mini-cycle of services with mostly intimate solo cantatas.