Program

Johann Sebastian Bach, Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248

Part I: For the First Day of Christmas

Part II: For the Second Day of Christmas (The Annunciation to the Shepherds)

Part III: For the Third Day of Christmas (The Adoration of the Shepherds)

Part IV: For New Year's Day (Feast of the Circumcision)

Part V: For the First Sunday of New Year (The Journey of the Magi)

Part VI: For the Feast of Epiphany (The Adoration of the Magi)

Karl-Friedrich Beringer conducts Bach's Christmas Oratorio

Münchner Bachsolisten

Subscribers

Cast

Markus Schäfer — Tenor

Cornelia Kallisch — Contralto

Thomas Quasthoff — Bass

Juliane Banse — Soprano

Robert Swenson — Tenor

Windsbach Boys' Choir

Münchner Bachsolisten — Orchestra

Karl-Friedrich Beringer — Conductor

Program notes

Discover this illuminating performance of Bach’s Christmas Oratorio, a work full of joy which recounts the life of Jesus from his birth through to the arrival of the Three Wise Men. Celebrated conductor Karl-Friedrich Beringer leads the Müncher Bachsolisten, a unique orchestra whose members are all Bach specialists, in addition to performing in some of the world’s most renowned ensembles like the Munich Philharmonic. An incredible cast of vocal soloists bring additional sparkle to the evening, in particular the velvety voice of soprano Juliane Banse which is the ideal match for this sacred repertoire.

Composed in 1734, the Christmas Oratorio draws its inspiration from the words of the Evangelists and the varied selection of texts immerse us into the early days of Jesus’s life. The choir rejoices, “Shout for joy, exult, rise up, praise the day, Praise what the Greatest has done today!”.

A closer look: featured composers

Johann Sebastian Bach

Further listening: featured works

Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248

Johann Sebastian Bach (Composer)