19 December 2019, Thursday
7:30 pm — 10 pm
J. S. Bach: Magnificat, BWV 243
J. S. Bach: Unser Mund sei voll Lachens - cantata, BWV 110
J. S. Bach: Christen, ätzet diesen Tag - cantata, BWV 63
If you had to listen to the work of only a single composer at Christmastime, who else could it be besides Bach? His music is eternally valid, elevated and perfect, while his works radiate and sanctify faith. His secular works, too, are often permeated with a sacred atmosphere, and much of his church music is associated specifically with the Christmas holidays.
The three compositions being performed at the concert are good examples of this. The text of the Magnificat, Mary's song of thanks ('My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.”), is familiar from the Gospel of Luke. Visited by Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist, Mary informs her that she is expecting a child. Bach's work was also first played at a Christmas ceremony.
Of the other two works, Unser Mund sei voll Lachens ('Let our mouths be full of laughter') was written for the first day of Christmas 1725 (in its opening chorus, one can discern the overture to Bach's Orchestral Suite No. 4 in D major). Although Christen, ätzet diesen Tag ('Christians, remember this day') is not expressly Christmas music, it is of a celebratory nature that presumably originates from Bach's period in Weimar in the 1710s. In keeping with the Yuletide theme, all three works are cheerful in tone, with dynamic rhythms and orchestrations that flow with light.
Celebrated at the great festivals of Europe, the Dresdner Kammerchor was founded in 1985 by Hans-Christoph Rademann, who continues to lead the ensemble to this day. The choir regularly partners with the 19-year-old Le Concert Lorrain. As its name indicates, this orchestra is French, although just like the chorus, it exceeds national boundaries in its significance and makes its impact felt in performing the full spectrum of European early music.
Educated at King's College, Cambridge, Christ Church, Oxford and London's Guildhall School, the 68-year-old Marcus Creed is recognised across Europe as a choirmaster, conductor and a dedicated interpreter of early music.
Conductor: Marcus Creed
Featuring:
soprano Mary Bevan
male alto Tim Mead
tenor Guy Cutting
bass Tobias Bernd
