Christmas Oratorio
Cantatas 1 and 4–6
J.S. Bach
Anna Viljanen, soprano (cantatas 1 and 4)
Saana Norra, soprano (cantatas 5 and 6)
Essi Inari Vallinoja, alto
Ville Hummastenniemi, tenor
Sampo Rantalainen, bass
Finnish Baroque Orchestra
Christmas Oratorio Choir
Ruut Kiiski, conductor
The Christmas Oratorio (Weihnachtsoratorium, BWV 248) is a cycle of six independent cantatas composed by Johann Sebastian Bach in 1734–1735 for choir, soloists (SATB) and orchestra. It tells the story of the events surrounding the Christmas season. All six cantatas were first performed in Leipzig in 1734–1735 as part of church services, with Bach himself serving as cantor. Cantatas 1–3 were performed on three consecutive days, beginning on Christmas Day, while Cantatas 4–6 followed from New Year’s Day onwards, with the final cantata performed on Epiphany 1735.
The first cantata of the Christmas Oratorio opens with the famous timpani strokes and joyful exclamations: Jauchzet, frohlocket! Auf, preiset die Tage (Rejoice, exult! Praise these days)! After the opening chorale, the Christmas story unfolds through the words of the Gospel of Luke: Es begab sich aber zu der Zeit… (In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered).
Cantata 4 opens with an invitation to give thanks for the miracle of Christmas: Fallt mit Danken, fallt mit Loben Vor des Höchsten Gnadenthron (Fall down in gratitude, fall down in praise before the throne of the Most High’s grace)! As in Cantatas 1–3, the Evangelist’s recitatives in Cantata 4 are based directly on the Gospel of Luke. The final two cantatas, in turn, follow the Gospel of Matthew.
Bei Gott hat seine Stelle das menschliche Geschlecht (The human race has its place with God): These words, accompanied by a familiar chorale melody and wonderfully jubilant, hopeful trumpet sounds, bring Cantata 6 – and the entire Christmas Oratorio – to a glorious close.
Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes (incl. a short interval)
Tickets 38 € (normal ticket), 30 € (discount groups): netticket.fi