Christmas without the Christmas Oratorio? Like dinner without the turkey. Il Gardellino presents cantatas 1, 2, 3 and 6, in which Bach unfolds biblical scenes that collectively tell the story of the coming of the Saviour – from Christ’s birth to the adoration of the Magi. When he wrote this music in 1734 for six different Christmas services, Bach was quite happy to recycle his own work. But the result turned out many times greater than the sum of its parts: muscly choirs, charismatic arias, the cream of instrumental counterpoint and a layered narrative style that captures both scenic details and universal symbols. The artisanry with which Bach put together this inconceivably rich jigsaw reveals a composer at the height of his powers. A star cast led by the passionate Christophe Prégardien performs a dream version of the most beautiful story in history.
Program
J.S. Bach: Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248 (cantatas 1, 2, 3, 6)
Performers
Alison Lau, soprano | Martina Baroni, alto | David Fischer, tenor | Micha Matthäus, bass-baritone | Il Gardellino | Cor de Cambra del Palau de la Música Catalana | Christoph Prégardien, musical leader
