Johann Sebastian Bach composed the Christmas Oratorio to be performed over six days, with one cantata for each festive church service.
Interpretation
The ensemble Musica Fiorita, led by Daniela Dolci, performs late Renaissance and Baroque music with a commitment to both faithfulness to the original scores and liveliness, using period instruments and historically informed basso continuo practice.
Composer Biography
At the time of the Christmas Oratorio's premiere, Johann Sebastian Bach had been Thomaskantor in Leipzig for over ten years and was responsible for music in the St. Thomas and St. Nikolai churches.
Historical Context
Due to church regulations at the time, the entire Christmas Oratorio cycle was only heard by churchgoers in St. Nikolai, as Bach's cantatas alternated between St. Nikolai and St. Thomas churches.
Critical Reception
The Christmas Oratorio was rediscovered in the mid-19th century and entered the repertoire of the Berlin Singakademie from 1857, gaining continuous popularity from the mid-20th century.
Compositional Technique
Bach frequently used the method of 'parody' for the Christmas Oratorio, meaning he adapted and revised music from his earlier cantatas rather than composing everything new.
Recording & Production
This recording aims to present the Christmas Oratorio as a new sound experience and an alternative to existing recordings, using a small cast with two ripienists per choir voice and solo instrumentalists.
