Christmas Oratorio

With rejoicing angels, excited shepherds and a generous dash of maternal love, Bach joined in the Christmas tradition, making a musical staging of Jesus’s arrival on earth. Each cantata performed on its own day, running to and fro between the churches of St Thomas and St Nicholas for the morning and afternoon services, with a repeat performance during vespers. For the music, Bach borrowed hit numbers from his own works, including an ode to Queen Maria Josepha, the Electress of Saxony. The first three cantatas represent the saviour’s birth and the annunciation to the shepherds, followed by the story of Herod who sends the three Magi on their way with a trick. Bach’s festive notes are performed in between two less frequently heard gems: Dietrich Buxtehude’s tender chorale motet In dulci jubilo and the first movement of a sumptuous cantata by Gottfried Heinrich Stölzel.

Due to the 1.5 meter measure, the room capacity is a lot lower than normal. That's why our concerts are shortened (to about an hour) and performed twice a day instead of once. This way, as many enthusiasts as possible can attend the concerts. Ticket buyers have already been informed about this.