Christmas Oratorio: Johann Sebastian Bach

Antonio Vivaldi's "Gloria in D major" was likely composed around 1715, while he was employed as an instrumental teacher and orchestra director at the "Ospedale della Pietà" in Venice. Festive, solemn choral movements and delicately orchestrated solo movements form a richly contrasting sequence; the text from the liturgy of the Mass is divided into 12 movements that differ in key, instrumentation, and affect—yet still form a musical unity through motivic interlocking.   Cantatas 1, 4, and 6 from Johann Sebastian Bach's famous Christmas Oratorio will be performed in this concert: they depict the birth of Christ, his naming, and the adoration of the Magi. The St. Marien Cathedral Choir, the Clara-Schumann-Philharmoniker, and brilliant soloists will perform under the direction of Cathedral Cantor Karl Joseph Eckel.