Symphonic Orchestra | Shemet | Christmas Oratory

Performers: Soloists of the Opera Academy of the Grand Theatre — National Opera in Warsaw

Yaroslav Shemet — conductor

Silesian Philharmonic Choir

Silesian Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra

Program: Johann Sebastian Bach — Christmas Oratory BWV 248 (Cantatas I, II, III and VI)

Johann Sebastian Bach's Christmas Oratory is one of the most outstanding vocal and instrumental works in the history of music. Created at the turn of 1734 and 1735, the work has remained for almost three hundred years one of the most beautiful musical testimonies of the joy of Christmas.

Bach created a series of six cantatas intended to be performed during the following Christmas and New Year's days. During the concert, cantatas I, II, III and VI will sound, leading the listener from the story of the birth of Christ through the scene of the Annunciation to the shepherds to the solemn message of the triumph of light and hope. The composer combined monumental choirs, brilliant brass parts, lyrical solo arias and poignant chants that for centuries have contributed to the musical tradition of Christmas.

A special place in the work is occupied by the choir, which for Bach not only acts as a commentator of events, but becomes an active participant in the story. The famous opening chorus of Jauchzet, frohlocket! belongs to the most joyful and spectacular fragments of the entire work of the composer, delighting with energy, pomp and festive brilliance of the sound.

Solo parts will be performed by the artists of the Opera Academy of the Teatr Wielki — the National Opera in Warsaw. Together with the Silesian Philharmonic Choir and Symphony Orchestra conducted by Yaroslav Shemet, they evoke the world of music, in which masterful construction meets the directness of emotions and the extraordinary power of the spiritual message.

The Christmas Oratory remains one of those works that invariably delight with both its perfection and its timeless message. It is music full of light, hope and joy — values particularly close to the festive season.

CONCERT INFORMANT