Search - Johann Sebastian Bach, Martin Flamig, Arleen Auger :: Bach: Weihnachtsoratorium [Christmas Oratorio / Oratorio de Noel]

Rare combination of sensitivity, precision, and power

02/21/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The opening chorus "Jauchzet Frolocket" is absolutely awesome. I have never heard any other performance that captures the brilliance and power in that chorus the way Flamig and the Kreuzchor do. Equally amazing is the way they combine precision and expressive sensitivity (may have something to do with the influence of Heinrich Schutz on the Dresden Kreuzchor). It avoids the lush excesses of many "modern" performances as well as the weak sound of some "authentic" performances. This is Bach at its best."

Brilliant, powerful, expressive, awesome

RT46 | Texas | 03/03/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Excellent recording from the old school. Berlin Classics also did a masterful job at creating a Christmas gift with the velvet cover. The opening chorus is brilliant, the Shepherd's Sinfonia is very relaxing. The tone quality is solid and beautiful throughout. Every line is clearly articulated throughout. It has good solid bass lines so essential to Bach, often missing in "authentic" performances. The singers make the text come through very clearly at the joy and meaning of the birth of Christ. In recent years I became aware of a powerful dance quality in this recording. It is another excellent Bach recording from the Dresden Kreuzchor."