Christmas oratorio
A sign of the approaching Christmas
J.S. Bach
Hedvig Paulig, soprano
Elli Vallinoja, alto
Tuomas Katajala, tenor
Veikko Vallinoja, bass
Cantores Minores
Cantores Minores training group choir (training Anna Hurme and Timo Pihkanen)
Finnish Baroque Orchestra
Hannu Norjanen, conductor
Christmas would not be Christmas without Cantores Minores’ performance of Johann Sebastian Bach’s Christmas Oratorio! Bach’s Christmas Oratorio has been a beloved annual tradition for Finland’s best-known boys’ choir for more than 40 years. Cantores Minores first performed the work in 1967, in celebration of its 15th anniversary. Regular performances began in 1981. The Finnish Baroque Orchestra is taking part for the 11th time.
Over the years, most of the choir members have the opportunity to sing the work numerous times during their time in the choir, as they grow older and their voices change. Having sung together since childhood, the singers have developed a remarkably unified, clear and transparent sound.
The Christmas Oratorio (Weihnachts-Oratorium, BWV 248) is a cycle of six independent cantatas composed by Bach in 1734–1735 for choir, soloists and orchestra, depicting the events surrounding the Christmas story. As is traditional, the performance at Helsinki Cathedral will feature Cantatas Nos. 1–3, which are nowadays often performed in the run-up to Christmas. They focus on the Christmas message of the birth of the Saviour.
Duration: 1 h 30 min (no intermission)
Tickets 10 €, 20 €, 25*/35 €, 44*/55 €, 75 € (numbered places) + 2 € delivery fee per order: Ticketmaster's points of purchase and ticketmaster.fi
* discount groups