The Radiant Hope of Bach's Christmas Oratorio, Part 6

Published January 4, 2026 at 6:00 AM EST

altar piece from Paulinerkirche at the Thomaskirche in Leipzig

On The Bach Hour, in the final chapter of the composer's narrative for the season, a clever deception heads off a potential disaster, laying the groundwork for a promising future.

On the program:

Brandenburg Concerto No. 3, BWV 1048 - American Bach Soloists, Jeffrey Thomas, conductor

Preludes and Fugues from Book I of The Well-Tempered Clavier: No. 1 in C major, BWV 846; No. 2 in C minor, BWV 847; No. 7 in E-flat major, BWV 852; No.21 in B-flat major, BWV 866 - Andras Schiff, piano

Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248, Part VI (translation) - Christine Schäfer, soprano; Bernarda Fink, alto; Werner Güra, tenor (Evangelist); Christian Gerhaher, bass; Arnold Schoenberg Choir and Concentus Musicus of Vienna, Nikolaus Harnoncourt, conductor