Johann Sebastian Bach – Christmas Oratorio BWV 248 | 2-DVD set

UPC: 5450270005109

Overview

Celebrate the splendor of the holiday season with Johann Sebastian Bach's Christmas Oratorio (Weihnachtsoratorium BWV 248), beautifully performed by the Monteverdi Choir and the English Baroque Soloists under the distinguished direction of Sir John Eliot Gardiner. This immersive, two-disc DVD set captures Bach’s six-part masterpiece recorded live at the historic Herderkirche in Weimar, allowing audiences to experience this renowned choral and orchestral celebration as it unfolds across the Christmas season’s feast days. With Gardiner’s nuanced interpretation, the festive spirit and theological depth of Bach's work shine through each part, from the jubilant “Jauchzet, Frohlocket” of Christmas Day to the reflective passages marking Epiphany.

Accompanied by a documentary, J.E. Gardiner’s Bach Cantata Pilgrimage, this DVD set offers additional insight into Gardiner’s journey across Saxony and Thuringia, exploring Bach's musical heritage in a deeply personal and historical context. Featuring celebrated soloists Claron McFadden, Bernarda Fink, Christoph Genz, and Dietrich Henschel, this collection is a definitive recording for anyone looking to experience the musical and spiritual resonance of Bach's Christmas Oratorio.

Product Features

• Format: DVD Video (2-disc set)
• Total Runtime: Approximately 198 minutes
• Audio: LPCM Stereo, AC3 Digital 5.1, DTS 5.1
• Subtitles: English, German, French, Japanese
• Region: PAL
• Aspect Ratio: 16:9
• Disc Format: DVD-9 (Single-sided)

Interesting Facts

• Historic Venue: Recorded in Weimar's Herderkirche, a location tied to Bach’s early career, lending an authentic setting that echoes the origins of his musical journey.
• John Eliot Gardiner’s Influence: Gardiner is renowned for his dedication to Baroque music, bringing historical accuracy and vibrant energy to his interpretations of Bach, particularly on this pilgrimage tour.
• Documentary: J.E. Gardiner’s Bach Cantata Pilgrimage explores the conductor’s unique approach to Bach’s music, recorded as he journeyed to historically significant sites across Germany.
• Award-Winning Soloists: This performance features soprano Claron McFadden, alto Bernarda Fink, tenor Christoph Genz, and bass Dietrich Henschel, each highly respected for their interpretive skill and contributions to Baroque and classical music.
• Chronological Performance: Bach’s Christmas Oratorio is presented in the order Bach intended, aligning with the feast days from Christmas to Epiphany, which enhances the narrative and spiritual progression of the work.

Disc Contents

Disc One

• Part 1: For the 1st Day of Christmas
• Part 2: For the 2nd Day of Christmas
• Part 3: For the 3rd Day of Christmas
• Documentary: J.E. Gardiner’s Bach Cantata Pilgrimage

Disc Two

• Part 4: For the Feast of the Circumcision
• Part 5: For the 1st Sunday in the New Year
• Part 6: For the Feast of Epiphany
• Documentary: Bach Revisited - J.E. Gardiner in Saxony and Thuringia

Publisher

• Produced by: BBC Wales and EuroArts, 2000
• Publisher: TDK Recording Media Europe
• Executive Production: BBC Wales, EuroArts

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#BachChristmasOratorio #Weihnachtsoratorium #MonteverdiChoir #JohnEliotGardiner #BaroqueMusic #ChristmasMusic #ClassicalMusicDVD #BachPilgrimage #HistoricalPerformance #HolidayClassics