Christmas Oratorio: Parts 4 – 6

The concluding instalment of Bach's Christmas Oratorio conducted by Václav Luks. A rare opportunity to hear all six parts performed over two nights. This is Bach at his most joyous in a work that celebrates the power of love.

There could be no better way to end the year in which the OAE celebrates the 40th anniversary of its formation in 1986 than with a work that has been a mainstay. The Christmas Oratorio was first performed as six cantatas, each focusing on a different aspect of the Christmas story, across six feast days in different churches around Leipzig. We begin on the New Year’s Day Feast before joining the Magi on their journey to Bethlehem to honour the baby Jesus. The Evangelist’s narration interweaves with dramatic choruses, chorales and reflective arias from the cast of soloists.