JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH
Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248, Parts I - IV
Mozarteumorchester Salzburg
Bachchor Salzburg
Matthew Halls, conductor
Julia Sophie Wagner, soprano
Jess Dandy, alto
James Gilchrist, tenor
Peter Harvey, baritone
Probably the most significant and moving oratorio for the Christmas season is that by Johann Sebastian Bach. Each of the six cantatas of the "Christmas Oratorio", which stands quite alone in music history and was only later combined under this title, was premiered around the turn of the year 1734/35 in the respective festive services in the St. Thomas Church in Leipzig, i.e. on the three Christmas holidays, New Year's Day, the Sunday after, and the Feast of the Epiphany. The biblical account of the birth of Jesus is the thread that connects the individual cantatas; it was not until the 19th century that performances of the complete cycle took place. Since then, this grandiose work has become a fixed part of the musical Christmas, filled with deep faith and spiritual spirit, full of contrapuntal mastery and Baroque glory. The Mozarteum Orchestra and the Bach Choir are elite Salzburg ensembles performing this evening. English maestro Matthew Halls will conduct the atmospheric evening and an exquisite vocal quartet will make a guest appearance.
+++
Introductory lecture: 6:45 p.m., Fördererlounge
+++
One-way tickets: € 27- € 93
€13 for U27 - bookable from 30 days prior to event!
