Durham Singers - Bach: Christmas Oratorio

Durham Singers

On the Eve of Epiphany,  the Magi arrive in Durham Cathedral through the vivid music of J.S. Bach’s Christmas Oratorio, performed by the Durham Singers in association with Samling.

Timothy Langston (tenor) – Samling Artist

From Samling Academy:
Zoe Jackson (soprano)
Martha Cook (soprano)
Elizabeth Clarence (mezzo-soprano)
Patrick Owston (bass)
Semi-chorus of sopranos from Samling Academy

With The Durham Singers Ensemble on period instruments

Musical Director: Julian Wright

On the Eve of the Feast of Epiphany, the Durham Singers bring the Christmas season to a joyful close with Cantatas I, II, IV and VI from J.S. Bach's Christmas Oratorio. Cantata I celebrates Christ's birth and a magnificent aria for bass and baroque trumpets proclaim his majesty. The music moves to the peaceful setting of the shepherds' fields for the second cantata, with the mellow oboe da caccia and flutes. A pair of natural horns take over in the fourth cantata, before the trumpets return in the final Epiphany canata to herald the arrival of the Three Kings. The period instruments of the Durham Singers Ensemble, led by Caroline Balding, will  bring out all the expressive colours of Bach's writing.

Once again, the choir are working in collaboration with Samling, with four stunning young soloists from the Samling Academy scheme, a semi-chorus of Samling Academy sopranos and Samling Artist, tenor Timothy Langston.