J.S.Bach; Weihnachts-Oratorium BWV 248 - The Sixteen, Harry Christophers

J.S. Bach: Weihnachts-Oratorium BWV 248

The Sixteen Choir & Orchestra

Conducted by Harry Christophers

Soprano: Lynda Russell;

Contralto: Catherine Wyn-Rogers;

Tenor: Mark Padmore;

Bass: Michael George;

Soprano [Angel, Echo]: Libby Crabtree

Collins Classics, 1993
Recorded at Rosslyn Hill Chapel, London, England

In 1977 the English conductor, Harry Christophers, organized the esteemed choral aggregation The Sixteen, which he led in a vast repertoire from Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina to contemporary composers. He has directed the group throughout Europe, America and the Far East, gaining a distinguished reputation through a variety of projects and over seventy recordings.

The Sixteen is one of the jewels in the musical crown of Britain. Internationally recognised as one of the finest choirs of our time, it is admired for performances combining clarity and precision with beauty and dramatic intensity. It concentrates on the heritage of early English polyphony, masterpieces of the Renaissance and Baroque, and a diversity of twentieth century choral work. The choir is complimented for larger scale works by its orchestra, The Symphony of Harmony and Invention, and through it Harry Christophers brings fresh insights to the music of Purcell, Monteverdi, J.S. Bach and George Frideric Handel. Many prize-winning recordings reflect the quality and inspiration of the group's work.

Weihnachts Oratorium (The Christmas Oratorio) is one of Bach's greatest masterpieces and this celebrated recording is one of The Sixteen's finest.