Johann Sebastian Bach: |Weihnachtsoratorium Highlights

Silent Night, Holy Night, and Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer? For many people it is not these or other popular songs, but the Christmas Oratorio by Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) that evokes the true spirit of Christmas at least as much as the Christmas tree and the manger: a musical ritual with a long-tradition, a fixed part of the cultural heritage of the Christian West. Many churches across the globe witness performances of the Oratorio every year, and well-attended concerts demonstrate the relevance of this music across the centuries. Even those who view the Christian message rather critically find it difficult to escape the pull that emanates from the festive glory of Bach’s music. Whether performed in its entirety of six cantatas or in individual selections – BWV 248 enraptures audiences, and generates brightly shining eyes in its listeners in any form of performance. Since the music is so richly abundant in varied sound-worlds, even a selection of highlights hardly runs the risk of being too subjective, but – quite to the contrary – presents a representative slice of Bach’s great artistry: vividly narrated recitatives, magnificent choruses, moving chorales, and heart-felt arias bring to life the Nativity, as outlined in the Bible, before the listeners” eyes and ears.