Christmas Oratorio

Johann Sebastian Bach (Composer), Helmuth Rilling (Conductor), Stuttgart Bach Collegium (Performer, Orchestra), Sibylla Rubens (Performer), James Taylor (Performer), Marcus Ullmann (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Stuttgart Bach Collegium, Sibylla Rubens, James Taylor, Marcus Ullmann
• Orchestra: Stuttgart Bach Collegium
• Conductor: Helmuth Rilling
• Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach
• Audio CD (July 25, 2000)
• Number of Discs: 3
• Label: Hanssler Classics
• ASIN: B00004WFG6
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #44,578 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Christmas Oratorio, BWV248: Part I - Coro: Jauchzet, frohlocket, auf preiset die Tage

2. Christmas Oratorio, BWV248: Part I - Evangelista: Es begab sich aber zu der Zeit

3. Christmas Oratorio, BWV248: Part I - Recitativo (A): Nun wird mein liebster Brautigam

4. Christmas Oratorio, BWV248: Part I - Aria (A): Bereite dich, Zion, mit herrlichen Trieben

5. Christmas Oratorio, BWV248: Part I - Choral: Wie soll ich dich empfangen

6. Christmas Oratorio, BWV248: Part I - Evangelista: Und sie gebar ihren essten Sohn

See all 23 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Christmas Oratorio, BWV248: Part III - Coro: Herrscher des Himmels, erhore das Lallen

2. Christmas Oratorio, BWV248: Part III - Evangelista: Und da die Engel von iihnen gen Himmel fuhren

3. Christmas Oratorio, BWV248: Part III - Coro: Lasset uns nun gehen gen Bethlehem

4. Christmas Oratorio, BWV248: Part III - Recitativo (B): Er hat sein Volk getrost

5. Christmas Oratorio, BWV248: Part III - Choral: Dies hat er alles uns gatan

6. Christmas Oratorio, BWV248: Part III - Aria Duetto (S, B): Herr, dein Mitleid, dein Erbarmen

See all 20 tracks on this disc

Disc: 3

1. Christmas Oratorio, BWV248: Part V - Coro: Ehre sei dir, Gott, gesungen

2. Christmas Oratorio, BWV248: Part V - Evangelista: Da Jesus geboren war zu Bethlehem

3. Christmas Oratorio, BWV248: Part V - Coro e Recitativo (A): Wo ist der neugeborne Konig der Juden

4. Christmas Oratorio, BWV248: Part V - Choral: Dein Glanz all Finsternis verzehrt

5. Christmas Oratorio, BWV248: Part V - Aria (B): Erleucht auch meine finstre Sinnen

6. Christmas Oratorio, BWV248: Part V - Evangelista: Da das der Konig Herodes horte

See all 22 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

This recording, nominated for a 2001 Grammy, documents as fine a performance of J.S. Bach's Christmas Oratorio as can be found in the catalog. Led by Helmuth Rilling, it is a vibrant, stylistically informed modern-instrument account in the noble tradition of Karl Richter, featuring smashingly good orchestral playing and superb singing from both the chorus and a first-rate group of soloists. Recorded live in Stuttgart from Christmas Day 1999 to Epiphany (January 6) 2000--the precise period in the liturgical calendar for which Bach composed the six cantatas that make up this work--it was issued late in 2000 as Vol. 76 of Hänssler's Bachakademie Complete Bach Edition, one of the final installments in that monumental, and utterly complete, tribute to Bach's genius.

James Taylor is a gentle and ingratiating Evangelist, as befits the story being told, and all four soloists--soprano Sibylla Rubens, mezzo Ingeborg Danz, tenor Marcus Ullmann, and bass Hanno Müller-Brachmann--do Distinguished work in the arias. The sound is excellent. The only real flaw here is the mislabeling of discs 2 and 3: CD 2 contains Parts 3 and 4 of the oratorio (not 5 and 6), and CD 3 contains Parts 5 and 6 (not 2 and 3). Listeners should simply ignore the labeling and play the music. In short, this is the new top choice among modern-instrument recordings of the Christmas Oratorio. Rilling and his forces could scarcely have brought the Edition Bachakademie to a better conclusion. --Ted Libbey

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Indeed a worthy Grammy-Nominee, January 4, 2001

By 

STEFFEN MUELLER (Aurora, IL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Christmas Oratorio (Audio CD)

I had the pleasure and privilege to be in Stuttgart when the Christmas Oratorio was recorded. It was recorderd live. What an amazing intepretation. For me it was like seeing heaven wide open. Seeing Helmuth Rilling interacting with the soloist, choir and orchestra is just amazing. And that's what one can feel by listening to this recording. Already the opening choir "Jauchzet frohlocket ..." is an absolute higlight. Hannes Laeubin and Eberhard Kuebler playing 1st and 2nd trumpet are outstanding. Not to forget the Gaechinger Kantorei and the Bach Collegium as well as a the soloists. A must have recording and hopefully the Grammy-winner 2001!