Performer: Peter Kooij

The Collegium Vocale Gent, in the hands of Philippe Herreweghe, came and conquered Madrid with a memorable performance of Bach's St John Passion.

Philip Herreweghe directs Schütz' Psalmen Davids with Collegium Vocale Gent at the Amsterdam Concertgebouw, in a performance of sustained power and feeling.

The Christmas Oratorio is an odd work to perform in concert, but it makes a welcome change from the obligatory annual Messiah. Bach’s piece contains six separate cantatas that tell the traditional Nativity narrative, all subsumed under the broader theme.