KCOV Excelsior: Bach's Christmas Oratorio

Bach's Christmas Oratorio

Johann Sebastian Bach wrote this oratorio for the period from Christmas 1734 to Epiphany 1735. It consists of six separate parts, but are strongly connected in terms of content in telling the story: the birth of Jesus Christ.

The six movements are often referred to as cantatas and each last about half an hour, so that in practice usually four movements – in random choices – are sung for an evening-filling concert.

The Weihnachtsoratorium is a hugely beloved masterpiece by Bach, and is performed all over our country, especially in the month of December, partly due to the typically serene atmosphere that characterizes this music. The four soloists and the choir tell the story of the newborn baby Jesus and his mother Mary in loving, moving sounds.

KCOV Excelsior

The Amsterdam oratorio choir Excelsior was founded in 1885, when it had sixteen singers. For decades now, the choir has had around a hundred singers and performs an annual concert in the Concertgebouw, including the St. Matthew Passion since 1953. Excelsior is an amateur choir, but can count itself among the subtop of Amsterdam's large choirs.

A stage for all

The Concertgebouw is right at the heart of Dutch music. That is why we love to welcome the best amateur orchestras and choirs of the Netherlands. To an amateur musician a performance at the Concertgebouw is always special, often marking the end of an extensive period of rehearsals. Please note: although these concerts are of a high standard, they are not performed by professional ensembles.