Johann Sebastian Bach’s monumental (its full version lasts nearly three hours!) Weihnachtsoratorium – The Christmas Oratorio is a collection of six cantatas, first performed on the six most important days of the festive period between 25 December 1734 and 6 January 1735. The beautiful telling of the story of the Holy Family – from the manger in Bethlehem to their flight to Egypt – is an example of musical recycling: the sounds of the grand, joyful chorales and captivating lullaby arias can be found in the composer’s earlier works. Although the practice might seem surprising today, it was a standard technique at the time (Vivaldi was one of the masters of self-borrowing); according to Bach’s biographer Albert Schweitzer, “music should not go stale in a violin”. We’re all for it, especially if it was penned by the Leipzig maestro!

Bach’s masterpiece resounds at the Kraków Philharmonic during a special Christmas concert featuring a distinguished guest: Paul Esswood, legendary singer and conductor, Professor of the Royal Academy of Music in London, where he teaches the vocal interpretation of Baroque works.

Johann Sebastian Bach The Christmas Oratorio BWV 248

Magdalena Drozd – soprano
Yana Hurtova – alto
Iwona Sułkowska-Kozłowska – alto
Bartłomiej Chorąży – tenor
Patryk Wyborski – bass
Wojciech Tabiś – bass
Kraków Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir
Piotr Piwko – choirmaster
Paul Esswood – conductor