I only discovered Bach’s immense Christmas Oratorio in my 20’s and was completely blown away by how it was impossible to listen to without a smile. As in his Great Mass in B Minor, the Christmas Oratorio follows Bach building a work made of his own greatest hits, incorporating many moments of his earlier genius, perfecting around new but related texts. For those who adore the grandeur of his great Sanctus and tender but exquisite solo movements of his Mass in B, this is an unmissable concert. For those who are just searching for an utterly uplifting start to the Christmas season – it is even more unmissable!
Christopher Monks
