Bach – Kuhnau: Magnificat – Wie schon leuchtet der Morgenstern

Bach reworked his Magnificat BWV 243a in E-flat major, originally composed in 1723, transposing it up to D major and slightly modifying the instrumentation. In this revised version he omitted the four interpolations or Christmas laudes. On this recording directed by Alexander Weimann, Arion performs the version in D major (BWV 243), and reintroduces the four all-too-rarely heard laudes.

Arion also performs Kuhnau’s cantata Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern (How lovely shines the morning star) to complete this joyful album devoted to Christmas.