Bach for Christmas 2020

““Listening to them is an experience you just never want to come to an end.” 

— Leipziger Volkszeitung

In its first performances since lockdown, the world-renowned Gabrieli Consort & Players under founder and director Paul McCreesh, presented some of today’s finest exponents of Bach in the composer’s beloved Christmas Oratorio BWV 248. Bach’s six Christmas cantatas are often performed but rarely as he originally envisaged, one cantata on each of the six most important feast days of Christmas. Gabrieli’s acclaimed Bach interpretations, presented “…with flair, a pristine sense of style and infectious energy…” (The Times), were further illuminated by carols and chorales woven around each of the cantatas; in the spirit of the season, these were sung by Gabrieli Roar’s young singers from the ensemble’s ‘Bach to School’ project.

“Give me performances like these, and I’m willing to accept almost anything about what Bach may have wanted or settled for in performances of his music.” 

— The New York Times

A series of six streamed programmes for Christmas and New Year, filmed in ultra high definition in conjunction with LIVE From London Christmas. Each concert featured a chorale sung by the young students of Gabrieli Roar and were preceded by an introduction from Paul McCreesh and his musicians.