Festival of paintings IV
The fourth cantata of the Christmas Oratorio is essentially a pause for reflection, with minimal action. The opening chorus and the two arias come from the secular cantata BWV 213, “Hercules am Scheidewege” (“Hercules at a crossroads”). The opening chorus has more restrained orchestration than the previous parts of the oratorio. It includes horns, oboes […]
Festival of paintings III
The third part of the Christmas Oratorio opens again with a festive chorus, orchestrated with full forces (trumpets, flutes, oboes, oboes d’amore, strings and basso continuo). The text is an expression of joy and praise that frames the story narrated in this part: the shepherds going to worship Child Jesus. The chorus will be repeated […]