Bach Easter Oratorio

"Easter Oratorio" was composed by Johann Sebastian Bach or JS Bach, German composer of the Baroque era. His original score for this oratorio contains three trumpets, two oboes, timpani, strings, and continuo with harpsichord or organ and bassoon.

In 1725 during the third year of JS Bach's work in Leipzig, he composed a pastoral cantata for the birthday of Duke Christian of Saxony-Weissenfels on the 23rd of February. He used the words "Flee, disappear, go away, O Cares" (German for "Entflieht, verschwindet, entweicht, ihr Sorgen!".) A few weeks later, he changed the text to "Hurry, come running" (German for "Kommt, eilet und laufet".)  Easter cantata was born. This was first performed 1st of April, 1725.

Ten years later, in 1735, Bach revised and enlarged this cantata. He called it "Easter Oratorio" (German for "Oster Oratorium",) justifiably, not only because of its scope which combines in eleven musical numbers the components of soloists, choruses, and the orchestra itself, but also because the style is reminiscent of earlier Italian oratorios.

This sacred music also differs from all of the other church compositions by JS Bach as it is based on the story told not just by an evangelist, but sung by several different characters. Upon the request of the two Marys, the disciples follow them to the grave of Jesus to find the tomb empty. The angel who had announced the resurrection, that Jesus is alive, had spoken the truth.

Source:  The World of the Oratorio by Kurt Pahlen, Amadeus Press, translated to English version, 1990