La Petite Bande / Sigiswald Kuijken

Weihnachtsoratorium (reissue)

Price: € 18.95
Format: CD
Label: Challenge Classics
UPC: 0608917280623
Catnr: CC 72806
Release date: 07 December 2018
Buy
2 CD
✓ in stock
€ 18.95
Buy
 
Label
Challenge Classics
UPC
0608917280623
Catalogue number
CC 72806
Release date
07 December 2018

"Very nice performances by beautiful voices with appropriate, militant jubilation, devout depth, and ensembles with a very, very original sound. Highly recommended."

Stretto, 06-12-2018
Album
Artist(s)
Composer(s)
Press
EN
NL
DE
IT

About the album

The Christmas Oratorio is a series of 6 separate cantatas, collectively relating the story from Christmas through to Twelfth Night. Bach wrote the work in Leipzig in 1734 and 1735 for Christmas Day (I), Boxing day (II), the third day of Christmas (III), New Year (IV), the Sunday after New Year (V) and Twelfth Night (VI). As with the Passions, the texts here are drawn from three sources: (1) the evangelical texts (primarily Luke and Matthew) intoned by the Evangelist (tenor) as recitatives, (2) chorales from the Lutheran tradition and (3) free texts for arias and some choral passages, written by the poet Picander.

This performance is perhaps as close as presently possible to what we imagine Bach might have had in mind as he composed the work in Leipzig. First of all, we have the 'one to a part' aspect: historical research among the various sources clearly shows that Bach did not ask for a choir to perform his cantatas, but simply a vocal quartet. This 'single line singing' certainly adds to the individual expression of the text and the music's transparency. Bach's religious music always uses the text as its starting point and a great deal of attention is therefore paid to correct enunciation. The vocal principle of 'one to a part' also has a major influence on the instrumental forces. Bach employed a small-scale string ensemble (two first violins, two second violins, one viola, one or two bass violins for the bass line and sometimes a violoncello da spalla, or shoulder cello, see below), as well as single wind instruments where appropriate, all supported by an organ, which formed the continuo in conjunction with the bass violin. And since the instrumental music is also completely permeated by the rhetoric that stems from the text, the transparency of this small ensemble intertwines seamlessly with the vocal lines, giving a refined polyphony that reached its zenith in Bach's music.

Continuing to focus attention on the 'historical truth' of performance (in other words, trying to get as close as possible to the circumstances in which the work was originally conceived and performed) is not a museum activity. Rather, it is an ongoing process of questioning music in performance, erasing later habits and traditions that have survived, so that the music can once again dazzle us with its freshness and directness.

Kerstmuziek die klinkt zoals Bach het bedoeld moet hebben
Waarschijnlijk kwam een uitvoering van het Weihnachtsoratorium nog nooit zo dicht bij wat Johann Sebastian Bach in gedachten moet hebben gehad, toen hij het kerstoratorium schreef. Een mooie prestatie van dirigent Sigiswald Kuijken en zijn barokorkest La Petite Bande. "This delicately expressive and intimate performance captures the tender essence of the Christmas story." BBC Music Magazine, maart 2015.

Bach componeerde het oratorium in 1734 en '35 in Leipzig. Het bestaat uit 6 aparte cantates die samen het kerstverhaal vertellen. Ze schetsen 1e Kerstdag, 2e Kerstdag, 3e Kerstdag, Nieuwjaar, de zondag na Nieuwjaar en Driekoningen. Bach had bij het componeren van dit werk geen groot koor voor ogen, maar een kwartet, waardoor de muziek transparant wordt en elke stem tot zijn recht komt. Hier ook geen voltallig orkest, maar een klein strijkersensemble - dat zich naadloos voegt bij de stemmen - begeleid door enkele blaasinstrumenten en een orgel. Kuijken en zijn ensemble houden vast aan de oorspronkelijke bedoeling van Bachs kerstoratorium en laten zich niet beïnvloeden door moderne gewoonten. Ze zorgen daarmee voor directe en verfrissende muziek.

La Petite Bande is één van de meest vooraanstaande barokorkesten. Het werd in 1972 opgericht door de Belgische violist en dirigent Sigiswald Kuijken en de Nederlandse klavecinist en dirigent Gustav Leonhardt. Het orkest streeft ernaar oude muziek zo getrouw mogelijk te laten herleven. Dat doet het gezelschap door authentieke instrumenten te gebruiken en de oude speelwijze te hanteren. La Petite Bande was oorspronkelijk een tijdelijk gezelschap, dat zich hoofdzakelijk richtte op Franse muziek. Vanwege hun succes geeft het orkest tegenwoordig wereldwijd concerten en bestaat het repertoire ook uit muziek van Italiaanse componisten en componisten als Bach, Händel, Gluck, Haydn en Mozart.
La Petite Bande ist eines der führenden Barockensembles unserer Zeit, und mit dieser Aufnahme kommt Dirigent Sigiswald Kuijken vielleicht so nahe wie nie jemand zuvor an das, was Bach sich möglicherweise bei der Komposition seines Weihnachtsoratoriums vorgestellt hat: Anstelle eines mächtigen Chores hört man hier ein Vokalquartett, wodurch die Musik viel transparenter wird und der Ausdruck jeder Stimme individuell zum Tragen kommt. Auch unterstützt sie kein Orchester, sondern lediglich ein kleines Streichensemble, dessen Melodielinien sich nahtlos mit den Stimmen verbinden und ein Vorzeigebeispiel für eine Polyphonie darstellen, die ihren Zenith in Bachs Musik erreichte.

Der „historischen Wahrheit" der Interpretation weiterhin Aufmerksamkeit zu schenken und zu versuchen, den Umständen, in denen das Werk ursprünglich konzipiert und aufgeführt wurde, so nahe wie möglich zu koemmen, ist mitnichten etwas fürs Museum. Es ist vielmehr ein kontinuierlicher Prozess, musikalische Interpretation zu hinterfragen und sie von späteren Einflüssen zu befreien, sodass die Musik uns einmal mehr mit ihrer Direktheit und ihrer Aktualität begeistern kann.



L’Oratorio di Natale corrisponde una serie di 6 cantate indipendenti, che insieme raccontano la storia dal Natale all’Epifania. Bach scrisse l’opera a Lipsia nel 1734-1735 per il giorno di Natale (I), Santo Stefano (II), terzo giorno di Natale (III), Capodanno (IV), la Domenica dopo Capodanno (V) e l’Epifania (VI). Come nelle Passioni, anche qui i testi sono cavati da tre fonti: (1) i testi evangelici (soprattutto Luca e Matteo) intonati dall’Evangelista (tenore) come recitativi, (2) i corali della tradizione luterana e (3) testi poetici per arie e alcuni passi corali, scritti dal librettista Picander.

Questa esecuzione è attualmente la più fedele possibile a quel che immaginiamo Bach potesse avere in mente quando compose quest’opera a Lipsia. Innanzitutto abbiamo l’aspetto ‘one to a part’: la ricerca musicologica sulle diverse fonti mostra chiaramente che, per eseguire le sue cantate, Bach non richiedeva un coro ma semplicemente un quartetto vocale. Questo ‘cantare a voce sola’ accresce certamente l’espressione individuale del testo e la trasparenza della musica. La musica sacra di Bach utilizza sempre il testo come punto di partenza, e grande attenzione deve essere quindi dedicata alla dizione corretta. Il principio vocale del ‘one to a part’ ha anche una forte influenza sull’organico strumentale. Bach utilizzava un nucleo d’archi di piccole dimensioni (due primi violini, due secondi violini, una viola, uno o due violoni per la linea di basso e talvolta un violoncello da spalla), ed eventualmente singoli strumenti a fiato, tutti sostenuti da un organo, che formava il continuo unitamente al violone. E siccome anche le parti strumentali sono completamente permeate dalla retorica che scaturisce dal testo, la trasparenza di questo piccolo ensemble si intreccia perfettamente con le linee vocali, esaltando quella raffinata polifonia che raggiunse il suo apice nella musica di Bach. Continuare a focalizzare l’attenzione sulla ‘verità storica’ dell’esecuzione non è un’attività museale. Piuttosto è un continuo processo di discussione sull’esecuzione della musica, per cancellare abitudini e tradizioni più tarde che sono sopravvissute, in modo che la musica possa nuovamente emozionarci con la sua freschezza e immediatezza.

Artist(s)

La Petite Bande

La Petite Bande (Belgium) was founded in 1972 by Sigiswald Kuijken at the request of the record company Harmonia Mundi (Germany) in order to record Lully's Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme, under the direction of Gustav Leonhardt. The orchestra takes its name and constitution from Lully's own orchestra at the court of Louis XIV. All its members are internationally renowned specialists in the early music field. Although originally La Petite Bande was not meant to become a permanent orchestra, the success of the recordings was such that they began to give concerts regularly. Having initially concentrated mainly on French music, the orchestra's repertoire has expanded over the years to include music by the Italian masters and that of Bach, Handel, Gluck, Haydn, Mozart...
more

La Petite Bande (Belgium) was founded in 1972 by Sigiswald Kuijken at the request of the record company Harmonia Mundi (Germany) in order to record Lully's Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme, under the direction of Gustav Leonhardt. The orchestra takes its name and constitution from Lully's own orchestra at the court of Louis XIV. All its members are internationally renowned specialists in the early music field.

Although originally La Petite Bande was not meant to become a permanent orchestra, the success of the recordings was such that they began to give concerts regularly. Having initially concentrated mainly on French music, the orchestra's repertoire has expanded over the years to include music by the Italian masters and that of Bach, Handel, Gluck, Haydn, Mozart and others.

The 18-part CD series 'Cantatas of J.S. Bach' (ACCENT) is complete since February 2014. Sigiswald Kuijken

applies the latest findings in Bach research: no choir, but rather a vocal quartet together with a minimal instrumental scoring. In this way, the fine musical texture of these cantatas can be much better (and more naturally) revealed.

La Petite Bande has recorded instrumental as well as vocal music, including operas and oratorios from the Baroque and Classical periods. La Petite Bande currently makes recordings for Accent, Challenge, Deutsche Harmonia Mundi, Denon, Seon/Virgin and Hyperion.

La Petite Bande has performed in a multitude of international festivals and concert series, in Europe, Japan, Australia, South America and China.

From 1997 to 2018, La Petite Bande was resident in the city of Leuven.


less

Sigiswald Kuijken (conductor)

Sigiswald Kuijken was born in 1944 close to Brussels. He studied violin at the conservatories of Bruges and Brussels, completing his studies at the latter institution with Maurice Raskin in 1964. He came into contact with early music at a very young age, together with his brother Wieland. Studying on his own, he gained a thorough knowledge of specific 17th- and 18th-century performance techniques and conventions of interpretation on violin and viola da gamba. This led to the introduction, in 1969, of a more authentic way of playing the violin, whereby the instrument was no longer held under the chin, but lay freely on the shoulder;  this was to have a crucial influence on the approach to the violin repertoire...
more
Sigiswald Kuijken was born in 1944 close to Brussels. He studied violin at the conservatories of Bruges and Brussels, completing his studies at the latter institution with Maurice Raskin in 1964. He came into contact with early music at a very young age, together with his brother Wieland. Studying on his own, he gained a thorough knowledge of specific 17th- and 18th-century performance techniques and conventions of interpretation on violin and viola da gamba. This led to the introduction, in 1969, of a more authentic way of playing the violin, whereby the instrument was no longer held under the chin, but lay freely on the shoulder; this was to have a crucial influence on the approach to the violin repertoire and was consequently adopted by many players starting in the early 1970s.
From 1964 to 1972, Sigiswald Kuijken was a member of the Brussels-based Alarius Ensemble (with Wieland Kuijken, Robert Kohnen and Janine Rubinlicht), which performed throughout Europe and in the United States. He subsequently undertook individual chamber music projects with a number of Baroque music specialists, chief among which were his brothers Wieland and Barthold and Robert Kohnen, as well as Gustav Leonhardt, Frans Brüggen, Anner Bylsma and René Jacobs.
In 1972, with the encouragement of Deutsche Harmonia Mundi and Gustav Leonhardt, he founded the Baroque orchestra La Petite Bande, which since then has given innumerable concerts throughout Europe, Australia, South America, China and Japan, and has made many recordings for a number of labels (including Deutsche Harmonia Mundi, Seon, Virgin, Accent, Denon, Hyperion and Challenge.
In 1986 he founded the Kuijken String Quartet (with François Fernandez, Marleen Thiers and Wieland Kuijken), which specialises in the quartets and quintets of the Classical period. Recordings of quartets and quintets by Mozart and Haydn have appeared on Denon and Challenge.
Since 1998 Sigiswald Kuijken occasionally brings together two generations Kuijken (his daughters Veronica and Sara and his brother Wieland) to perform string quartets of later periods (Debussy, Schumann, Beethoven, Schubert) often combined with Lieder by Marie Kuijken, soprano and also daughter of Sigiswald, and Veronica Kuijken, piano. Recordings of the two generations have been made for Arcana and Challenge Records.
In 2004 Sigiswald Kuijken reintroduced in practical performance the violoncello da spalla (shoulder cello) very probably the instrument Bach had in mind when writing his six suites for violoncello solo.
From 1971 to 1996, Sigiswald Kuijken taught Baroque violin at the Koninklijk Conservatorium in The Hague and from 1993 to 2009 at the Koninklijk Muziekconservatorium in Brussels.
For many years he was a guest teacher at institutions such as the Royal College of Music in London, Salamanca University, the Accademia Chigiana in Siena, the Conservatoire of Geneva and the Musikhochschule of Leipzig. Since 1998, Sigiswald Kuijken occasionally conducts “modern” symphonic orchestras in romantic programs ( Beethoven, Schumann, Brahms, Mendelssohn).

less

Composer(s)

Johann Sebastian Bach

Johann Sebastian Bach was a German composer and musician of the Baroque period. He enriched established German styles through his skill in counterpoint, harmonic and motivic organisation, and the adaptation of rhythms, forms, and textures from abroad, particularly from Italy and France. Bach's compositions include the Brandenburg Concertos, the Goldberg Variations, the Mass in B minor, two Passions, and hundreds of cantatas. His music is revered for its technical command, artistic beauty, and intellectual depth.  Bach's abilities as an organist were highly respected during his lifetime, although he was not widely recognised as a great composer until a revival of interest in and performances of his music in the first half of the 19th century. He is now generally regarded as one of the greatest composers of all time.  
more

Johann Sebastian Bach was a German composer and musician of the Baroque period. He enriched established German styles through his skill in counterpoint, harmonic and motivic organisation, and the adaptation of rhythms, forms, and textures from abroad, particularly from Italy and France. Bach's compositions include the Brandenburg Concertos, the Goldberg Variations, the Mass in B minor, two Passions, and hundreds of cantatas. His music is revered for its technical command, artistic beauty, and intellectual depth.

Bach's abilities as an organist were highly respected during his lifetime, although he was not widely recognised as a great composer until a revival of interest in and performances of his music in the first half of the 19th century. He is now generally regarded as one of the greatest composers of all time.


less

Press

Very nice performances by beautiful voices with appropriate, militant jubilation, devout depth, and ensembles with a very, very original sound. Highly recommended.
Stretto, 06-12-2018

Play album
Disc #1
01.
Jauchzet, frohlocket! Auf, preiset die Tage: Jauchzet, frohlocket!
07:36
02.
Jauchzet, frohlocket! Auf, preiset die Tage: Es begab sich aber zu der Zeit
01:05
03.
Jauchzet, frohlocket! Auf, preiset die Tage: Nun wird mein liebster Bräutigam
00:49
04.
Jauchzet, frohlocket! Auf, preiset die Tage: Bereite dich, Zion, mit zärtlichen Trieben
05:09
05.
Jauchzet, frohlocket! Auf, preiset die Tage: Wie soll ich dich empfangen
01:01
06.
Jauchzet, frohlocket! Auf, preiset die Tage: Und sie gebar ihren ersten Sohn
00:20
07.
Jauchzet, frohlocket! Auf, preiset die Tage: Er ist auf Erden kommen arm,
02:58
08.
Jauchzet, frohlocket! Auf, preiset die Tage: Großer Herr, o starker König
04:37
09.
Jauchzet, frohlocket! Auf, preiset die Tage: Ach mein herzliebes Jesulein
01:03
10.
Und es waren Hirten in derselben Gegend: Sinfonia
04:48
11.
Und es waren Hirten in derselben Gegend: Und es waren Hirten in derselben Gegend auf dem Felde
00:33
12.
Und es waren Hirten in derselben Gegend: Brich an, o schönes Morgenlicht
01:03
13.
Und es waren Hirten in derselben Gegend: Und der Engel sprach zu ihnen
00:38
14.
Und es waren Hirten in derselben Gegend: Was Gott dem Abraham verheißen
00:41
15.
Und es waren Hirten in derselben Gegend: Frohe Hirten, eilt, ach eilet
03:21
16.
Und es waren Hirten in derselben Gegend: Und das habt zum Zeichen
00:20
17.
Und es waren Hirten in derselben Gegend: Schaut hin, dort liegt im finstern Stall
00:34
18.
Und es waren Hirten in derselben Gegend: So geht denn hin, ihr Hirten, geht
00:48
19.
Und es waren Hirten in derselben Gegend: Schlafe, mein Liebster, genieße der Ruh
09:01
20.
Und es waren Hirten in derselben Gegend: Und alsobald war da bei dem Engel die Menge der himmlischen Heerscharen
00:12
21.
Und es waren Hirten in derselben Gegend: Ehre sei Gott in der Höhe
02:38
22.
Und es waren Hirten in derselben Gegend: So recht, ihr Engel, jauchzt und singet
00:25
23.
Und es waren Hirten in derselben Gegend: Wir singen dir in deinem Heer
01:16
24.
Herrscher des Himmels, erhöre das Lallen: Herrscher des Himmels, erhöre das Lallen
01:54
25.
Herrscher des Himmels, erhöre das Lallen: Und da die Engel von ihnen gen Himmel fuhren
00:09
26.
Herrscher des Himmels, erhöre das Lallen: Lasset uns nun gehen gen Bethlehem
00:41
27.
Herrscher des Himmels, erhöre das Lallen: Er hat sein Volk getröst’
00:36
28.
Herrscher des Himmels, erhöre das Lallen: Sein groß Lieb zu zeigen an
00:41
29.
Herrscher des Himmels, erhöre das Lallen: Herr, dein Mitleid, dein Erbarmen
07:46
30.
Herrscher des Himmels, erhöre das Lallen: Und sie kamen eilend und funden beide
01:01
31.
Herrscher des Himmels, erhöre das Lallen: Schließe, mein Herze, dies selige Wunder
04:27
32.
Herrscher des Himmels, erhöre das Lallen: Was es an dieser holden Zeit
00:23
33.
Herrscher des Himmels, erhöre das Lallen: Ich will dich mit Fleiß bewahren
00:52
34.
Herrscher des Himmels, erhöre das Lallen: Und die Hirten kehrten wieder um
00:23
35.
Herrscher des Himmels, erhöre das Lallen: Seid froh dieweil
02:41

Disc #2
01.
Fallt mit Danken, fallt met Loben: Fallt mit Danken, fallt mit Loben
05:29
02.
Fallt mit Danken, fallt met Loben: Und da acht Tage um waren
00:29
03.
Fallt mit Danken, fallt met Loben: Immanuel, o süßes Wort!
02:14
04.
Fallt mit Danken, fallt met Loben: Flößt, mein Heiland, flößt dein Namen
06:06
05.
Fallt mit Danken, fallt met Loben: Wohlan, dein Name soll allein
01:22
06.
Fallt mit Danken, fallt met Loben: Ich will nur dir zu Ehren leben
04:42
07.
Fallt mit Danken, fallt met Loben: Jesus richte mein Beginnen
01:48
08.
Ehre sei dir, Gott, gesungen: Ehre sei dir, Gott, gesungen
06:44
09.
Ehre sei dir, Gott, gesungen: Da Jesus geboren war zu Bethlehem im jüdischen Lande
00:21
10.
Ehre sei dir, Gott, gesungen: Wo ist der neugeborne König der Jüden?
01:37
11.
Ehre sei dir, Gott, gesungen: Dein Glanz all Finsternis verzehrt
00:49
12.
Ehre sei dir, Gott, gesungen: Erleucht auch meine finstre Sinnen
04:26
13.
Ehre sei dir, Gott, gesungen: Da das der König Herodes hörte
00:11
14.
Ehre sei dir, Gott, gesungen: Warum wollt ihr erschrecken?
00:30
15.
Ehre sei dir, Gott, gesungen: Und ließ versammlen alle Hohepriester
01:20
16.
Ehre sei dir, Gott, gesungen: Ach, wenn wird die Zeit erscheinen?
05:21
17.
Ehre sei dir, Gott, gesungen: Mein Liebster herrschet schon.
00:26
18.
Ehre sei dir, Gott, gesungen: Zwar ist solche Herzensstube
00:53
19.
Herr, wenn die stolzen Feinde schnauben: Herr, wenn die stolzen Feinde schnauben
04:39
20.
Herr, wenn die stolzen Feinde schnauben: Da berief Herodes die Weisen heimlich und erlernet mit Fleiß von ihnen
00:43
21.
Herr, wenn die stolzen Feinde schnauben: Du Falscher, suche nur den Herrn zu fällen
00:49
22.
Herr, wenn die stolzen Feinde schnauben: Nur ein Wink von seinen Händen
03:33
23.
Herr, wenn die stolzen Feinde schnauben: Als sie nun den König gehöret hatten, zogen sie hin
01:00
24.
Herr, wenn die stolzen Feinde schnauben: Ich steh an deiner Krippen hier
00:54
25.
Herr, wenn die stolzen Feinde schnauben: Und Gott befahl ihnen im Traum
00:18
26.
Herr, wenn die stolzen Feinde schnauben: So geht! Genug, mein Schatz geht nicht von hier
01:35
27.
Herr, wenn die stolzen Feinde schnauben: Nun mögt ihr stolzen Feinde schrecken
04:34
28.
Herr, wenn die stolzen Feinde schnauben: Was will der Höllen Schrecken nun
00:35
29.
Herr, wenn die stolzen Feinde schnauben: Nun seid ihr wohl gerochen
03:21
show all tracks

Often bought together with..

Opera Omnia - Buxtehude Collector's Box (30cd's & 1DVD)
Ton Koopman
It's Christmas Time
Staszek Plewniak | Natalia Kawałek
Harpsichord Concertos Vol. 2
Fabio Bonizzoni | La Risonanza
Matthäus-Passion - BWV 244 (reissue)
La Petite Bande
Tears - Harpsichord Laments of the 17th-Century
Ewald Demeyere
Johannes Passion BWV 245
La Petite Bande

You might also like..

Weihnachtsoratorium (re-issue)
La Petite Bande | Sigiswald Kuijken
Matthäus-Passion - BWV 244 (reissue)
La Petite Bande
50th Anniversary
La Petite Bande | Sigiswald Kuijken
Mozart en famille
Kuijken Trio
Requiem KV 626 - Version for string quartet by Peter Lichtenthal (1780-1853)
Kuijken String Quartet
Matthäus-Passion - BWV 244 (reissue)
La Petite Bande