Bach: Christmas Oratorio
This program includes Johann Sebastian Bach’s “Ehre sei dir, Gott, gesungen“ (Let honor be sung to you, O God), the fifth cantata of his Christmas Oratorio. This cantata is about the journey of the wise men and the symbolism of light winning over darkness. An important composer in Bach’s circle was his mentor Dietrich Buxtehude, the renowned North German organist and cantor. His New Year’s, and Johann Schelle’s Advent, cantatas, Johann Rosenmüller’s Magnificat, and Philipp Erlebach’s Christmas cantata are followed by a work of the later Jeremias du Grain, a student of Bach’s close friend Georg Philipp Telemann. Several of these cantatas are scored for orchestra with trumpets, which symbolized royalty and Christ’s status as the “King of Kings.” In contrast to this stand intimate, unaccompanied choral works by the award-winning contemporary North American female composers Emily Drum, MaryAnne Muglia, and Christine Donkin.
The performers are Crescendo Chorus, Paulina Francisco, soprano, Nicholas Tamagna, countertenor, Gene Stenger, tenor, Douglas Williams, bass-baritone, and Crescendo Period Instrument Orchestra, led by Christine Gevert.
This concert will be repeated the following day, Sunday, December 29, 2024 at 4 pm at Saint James Place ~ 352 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA 01230
Support for these concerts has been provided by the Connecticut State Department of Economic and Community Development/Connecticut Office of the Arts (COA) from the Connecticut State Legislature, and NBT Bank. We also thank WMNR Fine Arts Radio for their ongoing support.
Saturday, December 28, 2024 at 4 pm
Trinity Church
484 Lime Rock Rd.
Lakeville, CT 06039
