Ascension Oratorio BWV 11

Besides the Weihnachtsoratorium BVW 248, Bach composed an additional work for the feast days of the church year 1734/35: The Himmelfahrtsoratorium BWV 11 [Ascension Oratorio]. Although in its dimensions and character the oratorio is akin to his cantatas, it occupies a special position as a result of the epic text on which it is based; the text includes a biblical story.

In particular, the festive atmosphere and instrumentation of the opening and closing choruses mirror the triumphant joy of Christ’s ascension. This is a new edition in the Stuttgart Bach Editions series, edited by Ulrich Leisinger.

Scoring: Soli SATB, Coro SATB, 2 Fl, 2 Ob, 3 Tr, Timp, 2 Vl, Va, Bc