J.S. Bach - Christmas Oratorio BWV 248 - Part I 'For the First Day of Christmas' - Mvts. II - IV

Sir John Eliot Gardiner conducts the Monteverdi Choir and the English Baroque Soloists in a performance of Bach's Christmas Oratorio BWV 248 to begin their year long Cantata Pilgrimage.

II. Evangelista 'Es begab sich aber zu der Zeit'
III. Recitativo 'Nun wird mein liebster Brautigam'
IV. Aria 'Bereite dich, Zion'

Category:

Music

Tags:

• bach
• christmas
• oratorio
• bwv
• 248
• gardiner
• monteverdi
• choir
• cantata
• english
• baroque
• soloists

[lmblunden]

This is an amazing performance. It is transparent and clear, yet celestial and majestic at the same time. Many performances come off with a density that obscures the voices of the orchestra. But in this performance I can hear every pom pom and obligato transparently. It's more like a chamber ensemble with the great power of the performer's obvious conviction and commitment to the music.

[FrancesFarmer86]

@starbreez3 i love him :) he's perfect for the narrator, he's so clear and can really take back himself and TELL the story. he's humble, maybe that's the word i'm looking for :)

[BesACB]

When she starts "deine Wangen...." I can't contain myself and go bawling "muessen heut viel schoener prangen"!

[FrancesFarmer86]

@russedav5 And the baritone is Dietrich Henschel.

[FrancesFarmer86]

@russedav5 It's Christoph Genz!



[russedav5]

Does anyone know who the tenor is? He's fantastic, especially in the aria in the shepherd's cantata, but everywhere else too. I've tried to find him, e.g. bach-cantatas. com but to no avail. I can't wait to find him to listen to his other wonderful performances. The wonderful baritone is Olaf Bär and as others have said, the alto is actually mezzo-soprano Bernarda Fink Inzko (see wikipedia) ,

[russedav5]

@FrancesFarmer86

Do you know his name? He's wonderful and I want to hear more of his great voice.

[saturne46]

Quelle merveille le chant de Bernarda Fink ! Merci pour cette grâce

[johnhurricane7]

Maravilhosso, lindo dimas, amooooooo, p sempre ...

[astrolabius2]

Como sabes que sos la nunca vista he !



[astrolabius2]

Bernarda estoy enamorado de ti. !! Decime que me vas a cantar en casa

[cicmen1]

Alto is Bernarda Fink in slovenia