BaL 26.12.20 - Bach: Christmas Oratorio

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

9.30 Building a Library
Nicholas Kenyon chooses his favourite recording of Bach’s Christmas Oratorio.

Bach wrote his Christmas Oratorio for performance in church during the Christmas season of 1734. It incorporates music from earlier compositions and is in six parts, one part for each of the major feast days of the Christmas period. It is full of wonderfully invigorating choruses and expressive arias and is a seasonal favourite.


Available versions:-


Juliane Banse, Cornelia Kallisch, Markus Schäfer, Robert Swensen, Thomas Quasthoff, Martin Dürr, Windsbacher Knabenchor & Münchner Bachsolisten, Karl-Friedrich Beringer

Jutta Böhnert, Rebecca Martin, Markus Schafer, Thomas Laske, Winds-Bacher Knabenchor. Deutsche Kammer-Virtuosen Berlin, Karl Friedrich Beringer

Ingeborg Danz, Christoph Genz, Martin Petzold, Panajotis Iconomou, Paul Bernewitz, Friedrich Praetorius, Thomanerchor Leipzig, Gewandhausorchester, Georg Christoph Biller

Barbara Schlick, Yvonne Naef, Christoph Prégardien, Klaus Mertens, Thomanerchor Leipzig, Gewandhausorchester Leipzig, Georg Christoph Biller *

Mary Bevan Clare Wilkinson, Nicholas Mulroy, Matthew Brook, Joanne Lunn, Ciara Hendrick, Thomas Hobbs, Konstantin Wolff, Dunedin Consort, John Butt

Martin Lattke, Carolyn Sampson, Wiebke Lehmkuhl, Wolfram Lattke, Konstantin Wolff, Leipzig Gewandhausorchester, Dresdner Kammerchor, Riccardo Chailly

Lynda Russell, Catherine Wyn-Rogers, Mark Padmore, Michael George, Libby Crabtree, The Sixteen, The Symphony of Harmony and Invention, Harry Christophers

Michel Brodard, Kurt Equiluz, Barbara Schlick, Carolyn Watkinson, Fabienne Viredaz, Lausanne Vocal Ensemble, Lausanne Chamber Orchestra, Michel Corboz *

Rachel Harnisch, Anke Vondung, Maximilian Schmitt, Christian Immler, Chor des Bayerischen Rundfunks & Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin, Peter Dijkstra

Rachel Harnisch, Anke Vondung, Maximilian Schmitt, Christian Immler, Chor des Bayerischen Rundfunks & Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin, Peter Dijkstra (DVD)

Hans Jörg Mammel, Flavio Ferri-Benedetti, Gunta Smirnova, Raitis Grigalis, Musica Fiorita, Daniela Dolci

Cristiane Oelze, Monica Groop, Howard Crook, Gunnar Lundberg, Drottningholm Baroque Ensemble, Eric Ericson Chamber Choir, Eric Ericson *

Charles Daniels, Bernhard Landauer, Klaus Mertens, I Barocchisti, Diego Fasolis (SACD)

Arleen Auger, Annelies Burmeister, Peter Schreier, Theo Adam, Dresdner Kreuzchor, Dresdner Philharmoniker, Martin Flämig

Tamara Matthews, Maretta Simpson, Benjamin Butterfield, Christopheren Nomura, Bach Choir of Bethlehem, Bach Festival Orchestra, Greg Funfgeld

Monika Frimmer, Yoshikazu Mera, Gerd Türk, Peter Kooij, Bach Collegium Japan, Masaaki Suzuki

Anthony Rolfe Johnson, Nancy Argenta, Anne Sofie von Otter, Hans Peter Blochwitz, Olaf Bär, Monteverdi Choir, English Baroque Soloists, John Eliot Gardiner

Claron McFadden, Christoph Genz, Bernarda Fink, Dietrich Henschel, Katharine Fuge, Monteverdi Choir, English Baroque Soloists, John Eliot Gardiner (DVD)

Jana Büchner, Britta Schwarz, Markus Brutscher, Gotthold Schwarz, Kammerchor der Frauenkirche, Ensemble Frauenkirche, Matthias Grunert

Malin Hartelius (soprano), Melinda Paulsen, Tom Allen, Dietrich Henschel, Håkan Hardenberger, KlangVerwaltung Orchestra, Chorgemeinschaft Neubeuern, Enoch zu Guttenberg

Paul Esswood, Soloist of the Wiener Sängerknaben, Kurt Equiluz, Siegmund Nimsgern, Hans Gillesberger,Wiener Sängerknaben, Concentus musicus Wien, Chorus Viennensis, Nikolaus Harnoncourt

Christine Schäfer, Bernarda Fink, Werner Güra, Gerald Finley, Christian Gerhaher, Concentus Musicus Wien & Arnold Schoenberg Chor, Nikolaus Harnoncourt

Peter Schreier, Robert Holl, Soloists of the Tölzer Knabenchor, Concentus musicus Wien & Tölzer Knabenchor, Nikolaus Harnoncourt (DVD)

Agnieszka Tomaszweska, Manja Stephan, Catherine Wyn-Rogers, Clemens C. Löschmann, Phillip Langshaw, Bremer RathsChor, Neue Rathsphilharmonie Bremen, Wolfgang Helbich

Michael Chance, Peter Kooij, Howard Crook, Don Black, Barbara Schlick, Chorus of Collegium Vocale, Ghent, Collegium Vocale, Gent, Philippe Herreweghe

Dorothee Mields, Damien Guillon, Thomas Hobbs, Peter Kooij, Collegium Vocale Gent, Philippe Herreweghe (DVD/Blu-ray)

Elizabeth Wimmer, Elvira Bill, Andreas Post, Dominic Grosse, Stuttgarter Hymnus-Chorknaben, Handel’s Company, Rainer Johannes Homburg (SACD)

Dorothea Röschmann Andreas Scholl, Werner Güra, Klaus Häger, RIAS-Kammerchor, Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin, René Jacobs

Sabine Ritterbus, Peter Schreier, Marjana Lipovsek, Andreas Schmidt, Lynne Dawson, St Michaelis Choir, St Michaelis Orchestra, Günther Jena *

Elly Ameling, Brigitte Fassnaender, Horst Laubenthal, Hermann Prey, Der Tölzer Knabenchor, Chor des Bayerischen Rundfunks, Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks, Eugen Jochum

Lisa Larsson, Elisabeth von Magnus, Christoph Prégardien, Klaus Mertens, Amsterdam Baroque Choir, Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra, Ton Koopman

Sunhae Im, Petra Noskaiova, Stephan Scherpe, Jan van der Crabben, La Petite Bande, Sigiswald Kuijken (SACD)

Fritz Wunderlich, Friederike Sailer, Erika Winkler, Hannes Swedberg, Stuttgarter Hymnus-Chorknaben & Radiosinfonieorchester Stuttgart, August Langenbeck

Katherine Watson, Iestyn Davies, James Gilchrist, Matthew Brook, Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment & Trinity College Choir Cambridge, Stephen Layton

Elly Ameling, Janet Baker, Robert Tear & Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Choir of King’s College, Cambridge & Academy of St Martin-in-the-Fields, Sir Philip Ledger

Heinz Rehfuss, Helmut Krebs, Sieglinde Wagner, Oskar Rothensteiner, Gunthild Weber, Peter Steiner, Wolfgang Meyer, Berliner Philharmoniker, Berliner Motettenchor, RIAS Kammerchor, Fritz Lehmann *

Helmut Krebs, Gunthild Weber, Sieglinde Wagner, Heinz Rehfuss, Berliner Motettenchor, RIAS Kammerchor & Berliner Philharmoniker, Fritz Lehmann (Parts I–IV), Günther Arndt (Parts V–VI)

Markus Schäfer, Rebecca Martin, Thomas Laske, Jutta Böhnert, Karl Friedrich Beringer,Windsbacher Knabenchor, Deutsche Kammervirtuosen Berlin, Martin Lehmann *

Julian Prégardien, Melissa Petit, Katja Pieweck, Manuel Günther, Wilhelm Schwinghammer, Chor der Hamburgischen Staatsoper, Philharmonisches Staatsorchester Hamburg, Alessandro de Marchi (DVD/Blu-ray)

Veronika Winter, Wiebke Lehmkuhl, Jan Kobow, Markus Flaig, Rheinische Kantorei & Das Kleine Konzert, Hermann Max *

Helen Watts, Peter Pears, Elly Ameling, Tom Krause, Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra, Karl Munchinger *

Ingrid Kertesi, Jozsef Mukk, Judit Nemeth, Janos Toth, Hungarian Radio Chorus, Failoni Chamber Orchestra, Geza Oberfrank

Christoph Prégardien, Ruth Ziesak, Monica Groop, Klaus Mertens, Frankfurt Vocal Ensemble, Concerto Cologne, Ralf Otto

Julia Kleiter, Katharina Magiera, Georg Poplutz, Thomas E Bauer, Bachchor Mainz & Bachorchester Mainz, Ralf Otto

Regula Mühlemann, Anna Lucia Richter, Wiebke Lehmkuhl, Sebastian Kohlhepp, Michael Nagy, Gaechinger Cantorey, Hans-Christoph Rademann

Katarzyna Jagiello, Gerhild Romberger, Marcus Ullmann, Jochen Kupfer, Dresdner Kammerchor, Dresdner Barockorchester, Hans-Christoph Rademann

Gundula Janowitz, Christa Ludwig, Fritz Wunderlich, Franz Crass, Münchener Bach-Chor, Münchener Bach-Orchester, Karl Richter

Kieth Engen, Horst Günter, Cloë Owen, Gert Lutze, Hertha Töpper, Munich Bach Choir, Munich Bach Orchestra, Karl Richter

Arleen Augér, Julia Hamari, Peter Schreier, Wolfgang Schöne, Gächinger Kantorei Stuttgart, Bach-Collegium Stuttgart, Helmuth Rilling

Wolfgang Schone , Adalbert Kraus, Mechthild Georg, Christine Hampe, Marga Schiml, Martina von Bargen-Meister Alison Browner, Costanza Cuccaro, Walter Heldwein, Stuttgart Gachinger Kantorei, Stuttgart Bach Collegium, Helmuth Rilling *

Hanno Müller-Brachmann, Sibylla Rubens, Ingeborg Danz, Marcus Ullmann, James Taylor, Gächinger Kantorei Stuttgart, Bach Collegium Stuttgart, Helmuth Rilling

Agnes Giebel, Charlotte Wolf-Matthäus, Helmut Krebs, Walter Hauck, RIAS-Kammerchor, RIAS-Knabenchor & RIAS-Kammerorchester, Karl Ristenpart

Katja Stuber, Raffaele Pe, Martin Platz, Thomas Stimmel, Le Concert des Nations, La Capella Reial de Catalunya, Jordi Savall

Hubertus Baumann, Frank Sahesch-Pur, Michael Hoffmann, Heiner Hopfner, Nikolaus Hillebrand, Collegium St. Emmeram, Die Regensburger Domspatzen, Hanns-Martin Schneidt *

Helen Donath, Andrea Ihle, Marjana Lipovsek, Eberhard Büchner & Robert Holl, Rundfunkchor Leipzig, Staatskapelle Dresden & Trompetenensemble Ludwig Güttler, Peter Schreier

Patrick Grahl, Elvira Bill, Klaus Häger, Markus Schäfer, Dorothee Mields, Thomanerchor, Gewandhausorchester Leipzig, Gotthold Schwarz

Patrick Grahl, Elvira Bill, Klaus Häger, Markus Schäfer, Dorothee Mields, Thomanerchor, Gewandhausorchester Leipzig, Gotthold Schwarz (DVD/Blu-ray)

Paul Schweinester, Daniel Schmutzhard, Wiltener Sängerknaben, Academia Jacobus Stainer, Johannes Stecher *

Agnes Giebel, Marga Höffgen, Josef Traxel, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Thomanerchor Leipzig, Gewandhausorchester Leipzig, Kurt Thomas

Combattimento Consort Amsterdam, Capella Amsterdam, Jan Willem de Vriend (SACD)

Peter Watchorn, Robert Pitcher, Elizabeth Anker Anne Harley Max van Egmond, Thomas Gregg, Boston Bach Ensemble, Marsh Chapel Choir, Julian Wachner

Krisztina Laki, Gisela Pohl, Karl Markus, Berthold Possemeyer, Stuttgarter Hymnus-Chorknaben, Gerhard Wilhelm

[gurnemanz]

Achtung spoiler ... slightly maybe. I've got Mr Kenyon's Bach book from Faber and his shortlist of four (published 2011 so new preferences available) is:

Schmidt-Gaden Tölzer Knaben, Collegium Areum (one of my two) been a recommendation for several decades but now seems strangely to be nla.

Harnoncourt, Concentus Musicus Wien - not either of the two listed by Alpie but the one from dhm with Fink, Gerhaher etc which is available

Jacobs on Harmonia Mundi Röschmann/Scholl/Güra/Häger with RIAS-Kammerchor (my other one ... on the DHM Sacred Music box)

Chailly/Gewandhaus, Dresdner Kammerchor



Over 60 on the list, 6 cantatas each time. That's a job and a half

[Darloboy]

December 95 BaL first choice by George Pratt was Gardiner (which seems to appear twice in Alpie’s list) with Christophers & Herreweghe amongst finalists. Pratt went for a period choice over Rilling, Richter and Oberfrank on modern instruments. In December 05 Alyn Shipton chose Christophers with Koopmann as budget choice & Harnoncourt as DVD choice.

[MickyD]

Achtung spoiler ... slightly maybe. I've got Mr Kenyon's Bach book from Faber and his shortlist of four (published 2011 so new preferences available) is:

Schmidt-Gaden Tölzer Knaben, Collegium Areum (one of my two) been a recommendation for several decades but now seems strangely to be nla.

Harnoncourt, Concentus Musicus Wien - not either of the two listed by Alpie but the one from dhm with Fink, Gerhaher etc which is available

Jacobs on Harmonia Mundi Röschmann/Scholl/Güra/Häger with RIAS-Kammerchor (my other one ... on the DHM Sacred Music box)

Chailly/Gewandhaus, Dresdner Kammerchor



Over 60 on the list, 6 cantatas each time. That's a job and a half

Yes, the Schmidt-Gaden version has been a long-term favourite of mine, one of the few with all-male voices. It's a bit dated now I guess, but I still find it the one I listen to most. Such a pity it is nla.

[Pulcinella]

Yes, the Schmidt-Gaden version has been a long-term favourite of mine, one of the few with all-male voices. It's a bit dated now I guess, but I still find it the one I listen to most. Such a pity it is nla.

I have it in a 10CD box, called Bach Choral Works Edition (deutsche harmonia mundi/Sony), with the B Minor (Leonhardt), Matthew (Leonhardt), and John (Kuijken), which I'm sure was a bargain when I bought it. Production and copyright 2016 on the box, so it didn't last long if it's now nla.

[Bryn]

I have it in a 10CD box, called Bach Choral Works Edition (deutsche harmonia mundi/Sony), with the B Minor (Leonhardt), Matthew (Leonhardt), and John (Kuijken), which I'm sure was a bargain when I bought it. Production and copyright 2016 on the box, so it didn't last long if it's now nla.

I recall it having been a real bargain when I got it. It's still available via (as against from) amazon.co.uk for only a little over an inflation rise above what I paid for it: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

One Harnoncourt added and one Gardiner removed from the list in view of helpful posts.

[Richard Barrett]

I generally prefer Harnoncourt's first recordings of such works to his later, more operatic ones, and that particularly goes for this one which I'd never heard before his earlier recording was released, bought it the day it came out (1976?), and fell in love with it immediately. Those who like me have shifted their allegiance to OVPP performances will be highly pleased with the Kuijken, which is the only one I listen to now.

[CallMePaul]

A pity that this is being discussed on Boxing Day (OK, the second cantata was written for performance then) rather than earlier in December, as listeners may want to buy a copy for the season or ask Santa for a recording! I am happy with the second Harnoncourt version (with Christine Schäfer et al), which I bought in the original limited edition with free postcards. Christine Schäfer is probably my favourite soprano in this high Baroque repertoire but I find the other singers are also very fine.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I've just bought the Munchinger recording. Once it was regarded as the best thing since sliced bread, but fashions change. I though I'd give it a try, as I rate his St Matthew Passion very highly, and his B minor Mass would've been equally fine, had the choir been less fruity.

It's a work that's been with me for most of my life, having first sung in it at the age of 11. Since then, I've played the 1st oboe part in more performances than I can remember. (I've never been able to afford an oboe d'amore. For all the use I would have had from it, it would have cost me hundreds of pounds per performance.)

[makropulos]

How splendid to be getting this over the Christmas holidays. For a long time, Jochum (Philips, now DG) was my favourite and I still enjoy it hugely whenever I listen to it. Of modern instrument versions, Chailly is very exciting and there's some excellent singing. Period instrument versions: I've had (but rather fallen out of love with) JEG, but I'm still partial to Koopman (Erato) and Herreweghe (Virgin). However, for a really interesting version –and a very persuasive one-voice-per-part performance – I really like Kuijken on Challenge Classics. Last Christmas I listened to a mixture of Jochum, Chailly and Kuijken which turned out to be thoroughly exhilarating.

[Richard Barrett]

for a really interesting version –and a very persuasive one-voice-per-part performance – I really like Kuijken on Challenge Classics

I listened to it today in fact (see #9). I'm also very fond of his St Matthew Passion and B minor Mass, although on the other hand his recordings of the cantatas never convinced me - maybe when they were made he and his musicians hadn't yet got used to the changes of balance in the "choral" sections. The oratorio though makes the best possible case for this approach though, I reckon. If it's historically supported (which it is!), works musically and makes more sense of the vocal parts, which obviously aren't different in kind from those in the solo sections and adds clarity to the textures (which for me is the deciding factor) why do it any other way?

[ardcarp]

I can't imagine how a reviewer, with or without Andrew's assistance, is going to do justice to this big work with multiple recordings from all eras! It will have to be a very personal selection.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

If it's historically supported (which it is!), works musically and makes more sense of the vocal parts, which obviously aren't different in kind from those in the solo sections and adds clarity to the textures (which for me is the deciding factor) why do it any other way?

It may be historically supported, in that the probably low budget environment in Bach's Leipzig required a bare minimum of performers, but the chorales require the congregation to sing, and as these are harmonised in four parts, the alto, tenor and bass soloists would hardly be adequate for sustaining the lower parts. A full choir would be preferable, and they could hardly be employed for this purpose only. There's more than one way to perform Bach's music.

[Richard Barrett]

It may be historically supported, in that the probably low budget environment in Bach's Leipzig required a bare minimum of performers, but the chorales require the congregation to sing, and as these are harmonised in four parts, the alto, tenor and bass soloists would hardly be adequate for sustaining the lower parts. A full choir would be preferable, and they could hardly be employed for this purpose only. There's more than one way to perform Bach's music.

Of course there are many ways to perform Bach, but as we all know he was a practical musician who took full advantage of the resources available to him. These days I ask myself what this music gains by being performed by multiple voices per part and my answer is, well, nothing, all other things being equal. While the congregation could have taken part in the chorales, the large-scale vocal ensemble movements are a different matter altogether. Laying all prejudice aside and looking at the notes, they're obviously written for an ensemble of soloists.