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Christmas Mass in Bergkirchen: On Friday, December 25th (the First Day of Christmas), the traditional musical Christmas Mass will take place at 6 am in the church of Bergkirchen, lit by candles. The focus will be on works by Johann Sebastian Bach. Sections from Bach's cantata BWV 61, "Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland" (Come, you heavenly Savior), will be performed for choir and orchestra. Choral sections and the opening chorus of Bach's Christmas Oratorio, Cantata No. 5 "Ehre sei dir Gott gesungen" (Praise to God), will also be performed. The Gloria originates from the angels' song "Ehre sei Gott in der Höhe" (Praise to God in the highest), which is recounted in the Gospel of Luke in the Christmas story. Numerous compositions associated with the Christmas Mass revolve around this song. Examples include the first movement of Vivaldi's Gloria or the motet "Ehre sei Gott in der Höhe" for a four-part choir and double bass by Hans-Werner Zimmermann. The Gloria is part of the Christmas Mass by Barbara Jansen-Ittig, from which the Sanctus and Agnus Dei are also performed. Barbara Jansen-Ittig masterfully combines the text of the Mass with Christmas carols. The choir, led by Audrey Snyder, will sing "Sing we now of Christmas," while the brass ensemble will perform more modern arrangements of Christmas carols. Visitors are encouraged to sing along with many of the carols. The choir and brass ensemble of Bergkirchen, along with an orchestra featuring musicians from the region, will perform. Organ and piano will be played by Burkhard Schmidt. Rainer Begemann will conduct. A collection will be taken at the exit.
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