Saturday, 12/14/2024
at 4:00 PM



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The performers are the St. Blasien Festival Choir, a roughly 70-member ensemble from the Hochschwarzwald and Hochrhein regions, which works on larger choral literature with and without orchestra for specific projects. The previous highlight was the performance of Carl Orff's "Carmina Burana" against the backdrop of the St. Blasien Cathedral in 2018, the Christmas Oratorio by J. S. Bach Cantatas I - III in 2022, and the Mozart Requiem in 2023.

The Festival Choir is joined by the Ecumenical Choir Hinterzarten with about 25 singers.

The orchestra is the Chamber Orchestra 3Klang, consisting of professional musicians from across Germany, who also come together for specific projects in Southern Germany for joint rehearsals.

Work
The Christmas Oratorio by Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750) is one of the most significant sacred works of Baroque music and is traditionally performed during the Advent and Christmas season. It was composed in 1734/35 in Leipzig and consists of six cantatas, which were created for the festive services of the Christmas season. The individual parts of the oratorio address various aspects of the biblical Christmas story.

Part 1: "Jauchzet, frohlocket" – This first cantata describes the birth of Jesus and opens the oratorio with festive timpani and trumpets. The music radiates joy and festivity as the text announces the arrival of the Savior.

Part 4: "Fallt mit Danken, fallt mit Loben" – The fourth cantata is dedicated to the circumcision and naming of Jesus. It begins with a splendid choral setting that reflects the gratitude and praise of the believers.

Part 5: "Ehre sei dir, Gott, gesungen" – In the fifth part, the adoration of the Magi from the East is depicted. This cantata is characterized by pastoral sounds that underline the solemn and reverent mood of the scene.

Part 6: "Herr, wenn die stolzen Feinde schnauben" – The concluding sixth part of the oratorio celebrates the victory of the Divine over evil and finishes the work with triumphant music. The cantata reminds us that the child in the manger is the promised Savior who will redeem the world.

Each part of the Christmas Oratorio is a masterpiece in itself, musically interpreting the Christmas story through intricate choruses, arias, and recitatives while conveying profound spiritual messages.

Soloists
Maria Backhaus | Soprano
Franziska Markowitsch | Alto
Eduard Wagner | Tenor
Clemens Morgenthaler | Bass

Conductors
Michael Neymeyer (St. Blasien Festival Choir) and Katharina Büstgens (Ecumenical Choir Hinterzarten)

Organizer
City of St. Blasien in cooperation with the Cathedral Parish of St. Blasius and the Catholic Parish of Hinterzarten

Organizer: City of St. Blasien in cooperation with the Cathedral Parish of St. Blasius and the Catholic Parish of Hinterzarten

Event data provided by: Reservix

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J. S. Bach, Weihnachtsoratorium, BWV 248, Kantaten I, IV-VI
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