We are in for a treat: the Christmas Oratorio by J.S. Bach. As Christmas music it is to the German speaking world what Handel's "Messiah" is to English speakers.But there is this difference: texts of Messiah begin with Jesus' birth and take us all the way through his death and resurrection to his heavenly triumph, whereas the Christmas Oratorio deals only with his birth and the events of his infancy. It is divided into six parts — each comparable in size to a cantata such as Bach composed for Sunday church services — intended to be performed in a service on a different day: the first, second, and third days of Christmas (all of which were holidays), New Year's Day (when Jesus' circumcision was commemorated), the following Sunday, and Epiphany (celebrating the visit of the Magi). Even though a purist might say they should be performed on separate days, we have so few chances to hear them live, that it's good to have even this opportunity. And in the program booklet there is an essay by Bach scholar Christoph Wolff in which he suggests that Bach might at least have thought it possible that they could be performed together.
Without further ado, here's how the performance detail page at the BSO's website describes it:
Assembled and composed for Leipzig's Christmas season, Bach's Christmas Oratorio is a celebration of the nativity of Jesus Christ originally performed over the course of six days beginning on Christmas Day 1734. As was often Bach's practice, he re-used music from several earlier works, including the independent secular cantatas nos. 214-216. In addition to chorus, the work features soprano, mezzo-soprano, tenor, and baritone soloists, as well as an orchestra configured differently for each of the six sections. The BSO hasn't performed this important work since Charles Munch conducted it in 1960. For these performances, Andris Nelsons and the orchestra are joined by an outstanding group of soloists and the Tanglewood Festival Chorus.(Some emphasis added.)
There are the usual links to other information. If you're not already familiar with the piece, I recommend reading the program notes and, if possible, following along in the well-translated text. Even by itself the music is worth hearing, but I think sung music is even more meaningful and interesting when you know what they're singing about.
The Globe gives a scathing review. The Intelligencer finds a few shortcomings but is pleased overall. Both were quite satisfied with the soloists. I was there on Thursday, having exchanged a ticket for this one, and noticed some of the things the reviewers mention, but none of it really bothered me.The syncopations in the bass aria in Part I and the chorus in Part V didn't come through quite as clearly as I would have liked, but it wasn't a major problem. That bass aria is my favorite number in the whole oratorio. I'm glad I was there.
So I definitely recommend listening to WCRB on line or on air this evening at 7:30 EDT. The rebroadcast on Monday, December 10, will begin at the usual time, 8:000 p.m., and add time as needed at the end of the show. The rebroadcast on December 3 will, as expected, be of last week's concert, the Beethoven 4th and 5th symphonies.
Enjoy!
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