Eleven years after arriving in Leipzig, having composed two cantatas for every Sunday in the church calendar, Bach set his mind to an altogether grander project. To celebrate Christmas in 1734, Bach designed a grand oratorio in six parts - a journey in music from the birth of Christ to the adoration of the infant Jesus by the Magi.
In setting a brand-new text by Christian Friedrich Henrici, Bach drew on the best music he had written over the previous years. The result was his Christmas Oratorio - a life-enhancing, joy-giving musical celebration of the nativity.
Fresh from touring the world with the Monteverdi Choir and English Baroque Soloists, Dinis Sousa leads the Bergen Philharmonic Chorus and Orchestra in this Yuletide performance of the three first cantatas in Bach’s cycle, featuring vocal soloists from either side of the North Sea. From the frolicking opening cantata to the third reflecting on the shepherds’ journey to Bethlehem, this performance will bring joy and meaning to the festive period.
Related concert recordings at Bergenphilive:
Johann Sebastian Bach: Christmas Oratorio