LPA

1. Cantata No. 1 For the first day of the Nativity „Jauchzet, frohlocket, auf, preiset die Tage“

LPB

1. Cantata No. 2 For the second day of the Nativity „Und es waren Hirten in derselben Gegend“

LPC

1. Cantata No. 3 For the third day of the Nativity „Herrscher des Himmels, erhöre das Lallen“

LPD

1. Cantata No. 4 For the feast of the Circumcision of Christ „Fallt mit Danken, fallt mit Loben“

LPE

1. Cantata No. 5 For the Sunday after the Circumcision „Ehre sei dir, Gott, gesungen“

LPF

1. Cantata No. 6 For Epiphany „Herr, wenn die stolzen Feinde schnauben“

 

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