The Christmas Oratorio by Johann Sebastian Bach captures the musical essence of the festive season. The most important Christmas setting by Leipzig's famed grandmaster is heard in concerts all across the world every year. This reference recording of all six cantatas is resplendent and features a dream group of Bach specialists as soloists. The festive grandeur of the sections with full orchestra and the intimacy of arias with vocal and instrumental soloists in virtuoso dialogue have been combined by Ton Koopman into a convincing and timeless overall concept. Koopman allows the music to flow and breathe naturally, and constantly demonstrates his keen sense for tantalising the senses with tonal colours. - Rondo
54 Weihnachtsoratorium, BWV 248, Pt. 5: No. 53, Choral. "Zwar Ist Solche Herzensstube"
55 Weihnachtsoratorium, BWV 248, Pt. 6: No. 54, Chor. "Herr, Wenn Die Stolzen Feinde Schnauben"
56 Weihnachtsoratorium, BWV 248, Pt. 6: No. 55, Rezitativ. "Da Berief Herodes Die Weisen Heimlich"
57 Weihnachtsoratorium, BWV 248, Pt. 6: No. 56, Rezitativ. "Du Falscher, Suche Nur Den Herrn Zu Fällen"
58 Weihnachtsoratorium, BWV 248, Pt. 6: No. 57, Aria. "Nur Ein Wink Von Seinen Händen"
59 Weihnachtsoratorium, BWV 248, Pt. 6: No. 58, Rezitativ. "Als Sie Nun Den König Gehöret Hatten"
60 Weihnachtsoratorium, BWV 248, Pt. 6: No. 59, Choral. "Ich Steh An Deiner Krippen Hier"
61 Weihnachtsoratorium, BWV 248, Pt. 6: No. 60, Rezitativ. "Und Gott Befahl Ihnen Im Traum"
62 Weihnachtsoratorium, BWV 248, Pt. 6: No. 61, Rezitativ. "So Geht! Genug, Mein Schatz Geht Nicht Von Hier"
63 Weihnachtsoratorium, BWV 248, Pt. 6: No. 62, Aria. "Nun MÖGT Ihr Stolzen Feinde Schrecken"
64 Weihnachtsoratorium, BWV 248, Pt. 6: No. 63, Rezitativ. "Was Will Der Höllen Schrecken Nun"
65 Weihnachtsoratorium, BWV 248, Pt. 6: No. 64, Choral. "Nun Seid Ihr Wohl Gerochen"
The Christmas Oratorio by Johann Sebastian Bach captures the musical essence of the festive season. The most important Christmas setting by Leipzig's famed grandmaster is heard in concerts all across the world every year. This reference recording of all six cantatas is resplendent and features a dream group of Bach specialists as soloists. The festive grandeur of the sections with full orchestra and the intimacy of arias with vocal and instrumental soloists in virtuoso dialogue have been combined by Ton Koopman into a convincing and timeless overall concept. Koopman allows the music to flow and breathe naturally, and constantly demonstrates his keen sense for tantalising the senses with tonal colours. - Rondo
