In 1723, Bach had his first Christmas period in Leipzig. The new cantor turned out well. On Christmas Day, both the Magnificat and the cantata Christen, ätzet diesen Tag were heard. And that twice, namely both in the Thomaskirche and in the Nicolaikikrche. The Magnificat was Bach's greatest piece of church music to date. The St John Passion would not be heard until the following year, the St Matthew
… not until 1727. In Leipzig it was a tradition to add a few Christmas hymns to the (Biblical) text of the Magnificat, in German or Latin. That is why Bach inserted four motets here: Vom Himmel hoch, Freut euch und jubilieret, Gloria in excelsis Deo & Virga Jesse floruit. In the Thomaskirche, these 'lauds' sounded from a separate gallery, to add some extra luster to the party. Ten years later, Bach thoroughly revised the Magnificat. For example, he deleted the four lauds. It is usually the revised version (BWV.243) that we hear. However, on this CD the Magnificat sounds in its original version (BWV.243a). And that in combination with the aforementioned cantata Christen, ätzet diesen Tag. (HJ)more
