The Easter Oratorio (BWV 249) is an oratorio by Johann
Sebastian Bach, beginning with Kommt, eilet und laufet
("Come, hasten and run"). Bach composed it in Leipzig
and first performed it
on 1 April 1725.
The first version of the work was completed as a
cantata for Easter Sunday in Leipzig on 1 April 1725,
then under the title Kommt, gehet und eilet. It was
named "oratorio" and given the
new title only in a version revised in 1735. In a later
version in the 1740s the th...(+)
The Easter Oratorio (BWV 249) is an oratorio by Johann
Sebastian Bach, beginning with Kommt, eilet und laufet
("Come, hasten and run"). Bach composed it in Leipzig
and first performed it
on 1 April 1725.
The first version of the work was completed as a
cantata for Easter Sunday in Leipzig on 1 April 1725,
then under the title Kommt, gehet und eilet. It was
named "oratorio" and given the
new title only in a version revised in 1735. In a later
version in the 1740s the third movement was expanded
from a duet to a four-part chorus. The work is based on
a secular cantata, the
so-called Shepherd Cantata Entfliehet, verschwindet,
entweichet, ihr Sorgen, BWV 249a which is now lost,
although the libretto survives. Its author is Picander
who is also likely the
author of the oratorio's text. The work is opened by
two instrumental movements that are probably taken from
a concerto of the Köthen period. It seems possible
that the third movement is
based on the concerto's finale.
Unlike the Christmas Oratorio, the Easter Oratorio has
no narrator but has four characters assigned to the
four voice parts: Simon Peter (tenor) and John the
Apostle (bass), appearing in
the first duet hurrying to Jesus' grave and finding it
empty, meeting there Mary Magdalene (alto) and "the
other Mary", Mary Jacobe (soprano). The choir was
present only in the final
movement until a later performance in the 1740s when
the opening duet was set partly for four voices. The
music is festively scored for three trumpets, timpani,
two oboes, oboe d'amore,
bassoon, two recorders, transverse flute, two violins,
viola and continuo.
Source: Wikipedia
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Easter_Oratorio).
I created this arrangement of the Recitative: "Indessen
seufzen wir" (Meanwhile we sigh) for Flute & Concert
(Pedal) Harp.
