Some 400 years later, the sequence of events during these vespers which enchanted the Nikolaikirche on Christmas Day, is now well known. And it is precisely this that Vincent Dumestre recreates, in line with the Cantor’s wishes: Bach regularly introduced the Leipzig audience to new works of his own composition, such as his original version of the Magnificat, composed for the occasion, and Cantata BWV 63, «Christen, ätzet diesen Tag». But he combined them in keeping with the long tradition of the Leipzig Cantors, inserting these new works among the motets, chorales and hymns that appeared in the Florilegium Portense collection, arranged and edited by Erhard Boden- schatz – a century earlier! – or by Gottfried Vopelius in his Gesangbuch. And to conclude these vespers on the late after- noon of 25 December 1723, the simple yet moving hymn «Gott sei uns gnädig und barmherzig» was sung - an epilogue to the very first performance of the Magnificat, a masterpiece that still resonates today on all stages.