The Bach Choir of Bethlehem – Christmas Concert
Presented by: The Bach Choir of Bethlehem
Johann Sebastian Bach; Cantata 63 Christen, ätzet diesen Tag–Christians all, this happy day! Brilliant and celebratory with four trumpets, Bach composed this piece for the Christmas Day service in 1723. Composed for the first Sunday of Advent, this piece includes an exquisite lullaby for soprano accompanied by muted violin. Ottorino Respighi, violinist, composer and musicologist, paints vivid pictures of the places or images that inspired them. Laud to the Nativity–Renaissance motifs in this piece tell the story of Jesus’ birth, scored for the brilliant woodwind players of The Bach Festival Orchestra, plus solo parts for the Angel, the Virgin Mary and the Shepherd. Orchestration includes two flutes, oboe, English horn, two bassoons, triangle and piano four-hands.
