Gramophone „Recording of the month“
CD des Monats bei Gramphone:
Johann Sebastian Bach: Weihnachtsoratorium, BWV 248
Arnold Schoenberg Chor, Concentus Musicus Wien
2 SACDs DHM Sony BMG 88697112252 (11/2007)
Gramphone: „Those for whom Christmas inevitably means a frenetic period of shopping, catering and micro-scheduled TV-watching, all requiring the organisation of a military operation, should be required to hear this recording. Nikolaus Harnoncourt gives a lessson in how to relax and yet at the same time tackle questions of the greatest spiritual and intellectual rigour. If that sounds incongruous, just listen. The flow of this Christmas Oratorio, although it gradually builds, is yet natural and unforced, even easy. The orchestra and choir seem to create for themselves a spiritual haven, in which the soloists can then examine life’s joy and its challenges. It helps that Harnoncourt’s singers are so intelligent and characterful, particularly the ladies. There is much joy here, this being after all a celebratory piece. But there is angst, too, and uncertainty. Christmas, Harnoncourt seems to be saying, is a time to give yourself the space to turn away from the daily grind and give thanks, but also to look into yourself. And that, one feels, is the true spirit of almost any great religious festival.“