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Bach’s next job takes him away from the church music duties he’s known all his life. Christmases will feel very different in Cöthen. With Donald Macleod.

Christmas can be special wherever you live, but to experience a truly Christmassy Christmas, many would say that the only place to go is Germany. Plenty of Britain’s favourite Yuletide traditions originated there and Germany’s citizens have always had a special knack for celebrating this time of year. This was certainly true in JS Bach’s lifetime and, right through his career, he produced quantities of amazing Christmas music that we still love and revere today. All this week, Donald Macleod invites us to join Bach and his family during the Christmas season, at five different periods in his life, to see how his story develops and revel in the glorious works he created for Christmastime.

Today, Donald takes us to the town of Cöthen where Bach has accepted the post of overseeing musical entertainments at the Prince’s palace. For the first time in his career, Bach is not required to provide music for church services, even at Christmas. However, Bach and his family still find plenty of ways to enjoy a festive and musical Christmas season, especially in 1721 when there’s a very special celebration.

Tritt auf die Glaubensbahn, BWV 152: 1. Sinfonia
Freiburger Barockorchester, directed by Petra Müllejan

Der Himmel dacht auf Anhalts Ruhm und Glück, BWV 66a: 2. Traget ihr Lufte den Jubel von hinnen
Wiebke Lehmkuhl, alto; Mitteldeutsche Hofmusik, directed by Alexander Ferdinand Grychtolik

Brandenburg Concerto No 4: 1. Allegro
Academy of Ancient Music, directed by Richard Egarr.

15 sinfonias for keyboard: No 11 in Gm, BWV 797; No 12 in A, BWV 798; No 13 in Am, BWV 799; No 10 in G, BWV 796
Angela Hewitt, piano

Mein Herze schwimmt im Blut, BWV 199
Nancy Argenta, soprano; Ensemble Sonnerie; directed by Monica Huggett