J. S. Bach - Weihnachtsoratorium BWV 248 - Concentus Musicus Wien - Nikolaus Harnoncourt - DHM Deutsche Harmonia Mundi 88697 33321-2 (2008) 2x SACD rip via PS3 to 2x iso (8.19GB) | 24bit/88.2kHz flac | Mch (6.05GB) | 2ch (2.7GB) DR 13&14 | Classical Johann Sebastian Bach ----------------------------------------------------------- Amazon review by RENS on December 23, 2007: Harnoncourt's recently released recording of Bach's Weihnachtsoratorium, or set of 6 cantatas for Christmastide, is delightful & delicious, excellent in every way. I have a slight preference for Rene Jacobs's recording Bach: Weihnachts-Oratorium (Christmas Oratorio) / Jacobs, Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin, but I am very glad that my curiosity led me to purchase this set as well. Each is a fine example of informed baroque performance practice & each is done with both enthusiasm & attention to detail. If Jabobs has Andreas Scholl as alto soloist, Harnoncourt has Gerald Finley as bass soloist - so you will realy want to have both sets in your collection. Amazon review by Der Musiker on January 21, 2008: Harnoncourt recorded Bach's Christmas Oratorio with his Concentus musicus Wien once before in about 1973. It's a good recording but there are certainly many better ones recorded using period instruments that have come out since then. This new 1 is fantastic, though. His instrumentalists are masters now of their period instruments & his somewhat relaxed view of the score has a nice degree of intimacy. I've listened to it 4 times now & love it. My only complaint is that he's used a female alto where most would use a male counter tenor. I love the recording with Rene Jacobs on Harmonia Mundi because it uses the very fine counter tenor Andreas Scholl but still wouldn't trade this new Harnoncourt for even that as a whole. Highly recommended! AllMusic: If this 2007 recording of Bach's Christmas Oratorio was the only 1 you were to hear, you would likely be well satisfied. Nikolaus Harnoncourt knows the work from long experience, his 1st recording dates from 1973, & he knows not only how to balance the soloists, chorus, & orchestra but how to balance the festive, the reflective, & the demonstrative, as well. The soloists here are generally quite fine -- clarion soprano Christine Schäfer & stentorian bass Christian Gerhaher are especially effective -- the Arnold Schoenberg Choir is, as always, deep & sonorous, & Harnoncourt's hand-picked Concentus Musicus Wien performs with its standard gusto & enthusiasm. These factors in addition to the overwhelming magnificence of the work itself are more than enough to make for an enjoyable recording. But, of course, there have been many, many recordings of the Christmas Oratorio before this 1, & many of them are far better than this 1 of Harnoncourt's. One could point to the lift & drive of John Eliot Gardiner's recording, or to the joy & devotion of Karl Richter's, or the soul & spirit of Kurt Thomas', or lightness & grace of Ton Koopman's, or the sheer vocal beauty of Peter Schreier's, & still barely have touched on all the performances that go further into the work than Harnoncourt's. Deutsche Harmonia Mundi's super audio sound has tremendous impact in the loud passages but still contrives to sound flat & 2-dimensional the rest of the time. Tracks: Disc: 1 01. Weihnachtsoratorium (Christmas Oratorio), in six parts, BWV 248 (BC D7): Kantate No. 1. No. 1. Coro. Jauchzet, frohlocket! 02. Weihnachtsoratorium (Christmas Oratorio), in six parts, BWV 248 (BC D7): Kantate No. 1. No. 2. Recitativo. Es begab sich aber zu der 03. Weihnachtsoratorium (Christmas Oratorio), in six parts, BWV 248 (BC D7): Kantate No. 1. No. 3. Arioso. Nun wird mein liebster Bräutig 04. Weihnachtsoratorium (Christmas Oratorio), in six parts, BWV 248 (BC D7): Kantate No. 1. No. 4. Aria. Bereite dich, Zion 05. Weihnachtsoratorium (Christmas Oratorio), in six parts, BWV 248 (BC D7): Kantate No. 1. No. 5. Choral. Wie soll ich dich empfangen 06. Weihnachtsoratorium (Christmas Oratorio), in six parts, BWV 248 (BC D7): Kantate No. 1. No. 6. Recitativo. Und sie gebar ihren ersten 07. Weihnachtsoratorium (Christmas Oratorio), in six parts, BWV 248 (BC D7): Kantate No. 1. No. 7. Choral. Er ist auf Erden kommen arm 08. Weihnachtsoratorium (Christmas Oratorio), in six parts, BWV 248 (BC D7): Kantate No. 1. No. 8. Aria. Großer Herr, o starker König 09. Weihnachtsoratorium (Christmas Oratorio), in six parts, BWV 248 (BC D7): Kantate No. 1. No. 9. Choral. Ach mein herzliebes Jesulein 10. Weihnachtsoratorium (Christmas Oratorio), in six parts, BWV 248 (BC D7): Kantate No. 2. No. 10. Sinfonia 11. Weihnachtsoratorium (Christmas Oratorio), in six parts, BWV 248 (BC D7): Kantate No. 2. No. 11. Recitativo. Und es waren Hirten in de 12. Weihnachtsoratorium (Christmas Oratorio), in six parts, BWV 248 (BC D7): Kantate No. 2. No. 12. Choral. Brich an, o schönes Morgenlic 13. Weihnachtsoratorium (Christmas Oratorio), in six parts, BWV 248 (BC D7): Kantate No. 2. No. 13. Recitativo. Und der Engel sprach zu i 14. Weihnachtsoratorium (Christmas Oratorio), in six parts, BWV 248 (BC D7): Kantate No. 2. No. 14. Recitativo. Was Gott dem Abraham verh 15. Weihnachtsoratorium (Christmas Oratorio), in six parts, BWV 248 (BC D7): Kantate No. 2. No. 15. Aria. Frohe Hirten, eilt, ach eilet 16. Weihnachtsoratorium (Christmas Oratorio), in six parts, BWV 248 (BC D7): Kantate No. 2. No. 16. Recitativo. Und das habt zum Zeichen 17. Weihnachtsoratorium (Christmas Oratorio), in six parts, BWV 248 (BC D7): Kantate No. 2. No. 17. Choral. Schaut hin, dort liegt im fin 18. Weihnachtsoratorium (Christmas Oratorio), in six parts, BWV 248 (BC D7): Kantate No. 2. No. 18. Recitativo e Arioso. So geht denn hin 19. Weihnachtsoratorium (Christmas Oratorio), in six parts, BWV 248 (BC D7): Kantate No. 2. No. 19. Aria. Schlafe, mein Liebster, genieße 20. Weihnachtsoratorium (Christmas Oratorio), in six parts, BWV 248 (BC D7): Kantate No. 2. No. 20. Recitativo. Und alsobald war da bei d 21. Weihnachtsoratorium (Christmas Oratorio), in six parts, BWV 248 (BC D7): Kantate No. 2. No. 21. Coro. Ehre sei Gott in der Höhe 22. Weihnachtsoratorium (Christmas Oratorio), in six parts, BWV 248 (BC D7): Kantate No. 2. No. 22. Recitativo. So recht, ihr Engel, jauc 23. Weihnachtsoratorium (Christmas Oratorio), in six parts, BWV 248 (BC D7): Kantate No. 2. No. 23. Choral. Wir singen dir in deinem Heer 24. Weihnachtsoratorium (Christmas Oratorio), in six parts, BWV 248 (BC D7): Kantate No. 3. No. 24. Coro. Herrscher des Himmels, erhöre d 25. Weihnachtsoratorium (Christmas Oratorio), in six parts, BWV 248 (BC D7): Kantate No. 3. No. 25. Recitativo. Und da die Engel 26. Weihnachtsoratorium (Christmas Oratorio), in six parts, BWV 248 (BC D7): Kantate No. 3. No. 26. Coro. Lasset uns nun geben 27. Weihnachtsoratorium (Christmas Oratorio), in six parts, BWV 248 (BC D7): Kantate No. 3. No. 27. Recitativo. Er hat sein Volk getröst' 28. Weihnachtsoratorium (Christmas Oratorio), in six parts, BWV 248 (BC D7): Kantate No. 3. No. 28. Choral. Dies hat er alles uns Jetan 29. Weihnachtsoratorium (Christmas Oratorio), in six parts, BWV 248 (BC D7): Kantate No. 3. No. 29. Aria, Duetto. Herr, dein Mitleid, dei 30. Weihnachtsoratorium (Christmas Oratorio), in six parts, BWV 248 (BC D7): Kantate No. 3. No. 30. Recitativo. Und sie kamen eilend 31. Weihnachtsoratorium (Christmas Oratorio), in six parts, BWV 248 (BC D7): Kantate No. 3. No. 31. Aria. Schließe, mein Herze, dies seli 32. Weihnachtsoratorium (Christmas Oratorio), in six parts, BWV 248 (BC D7): Kantate No. 3. No. 32. Recitativo. Ja, ja, mein Herz soll es 33. Weihnachtsoratorium (Christmas Oratorio), in six parts, BWV 248 (BC D7): Kantate No. 3. No. 33. Choral. Ich will dich mit Fleiß bewah 34. Weihnachtsoratorium (Christmas Oratorio), in six parts, BWV 248 (BC D7): Kantate No. 3. No. 34. Recitativo. Und die Hirten kehrten wi 35. Weihnachtsoratorium (Christmas Oratorio), in six parts, BWV 248 (BC D7): Kantate No. 3. No. 35. Choral. Seid froh dieweil 36. Weihnachtsoratorium (Christmas Oratorio), in six parts, BWV 248 (BC D7): Kantate No. 3. No. 24. Coro. Herrscher des Himmels, erhöre d Disc: 2 01. Weihnachtsoratorium (Christmas Oratorio), in six parts, BWV 248 (BC D7): Kantate No. 4. No. 36. Coro. Fallt mit Danken 02. Weihnachtsoratorium (Christmas Oratorio), in six parts, BWV 248 (BC D7): Kantate No. 4. No. 37. Recitativo. Und da acht Tage um waren 03. Weihnachtsoratorium (Christmas Oratorio), in six parts, BWV 248 (BC D7): Kantate No. 4. No. 38. Recitativo e Choral. Immanuel, o süße 04. Weihnachtsoratorium (Christmas Oratorio), in six parts, BWV 248 (BC D7): Kantate No. 4. No. 39. Aria. Flößt, mein Heiland, flößt dein 05. Weihnachtsoratorium (Christmas Oratorio), in six parts, BWV 248 (BC D7): Kantate No. 4. No. 40. Recitativo e Choral. Wohlen, dein Nam 06. Weihnachtsoratorium (Christmas Oratorio), in six parts, BWV 248 (BC D7): Kantate No. 4. No. 41. Aria. Ich will nur dir zu Ehren leben 07. Weihnachtsoratorium (Christmas Oratorio), in six parts, BWV 248 (BC D7): Kantate No. 4. No. 42. Choral. Jesus richte mein beginnen 08. Weihnachtsoratorium (Christmas Oratorio), in six parts, BWV 248 (BC D7): Kantate No. 5. No. 43. Coro. Ehre sei dir, Gott, gesungen 09. Weihnachtsoratorium (Christmas Oratorio), in six parts, BWV 248 (BC D7): Kantate No. 5. No. 44. Recitativo. Da Jesus geboren war zu B 10. Weihnachtsoratorium (Christmas Oratorio), in six parts, BWV 248 (BC D7): Kantate No. 5. No. 45. Coro. Wo ist der neugborne König der 11. Weihnachtsoratorium (Christmas Oratorio), in six parts, BWV 248 (BC D7): Kantate No. 5. No. 46. Choral. Dein Glanz all Finsternis ver 12. Weihnachtsoratorium (Christmas Oratorio), in six parts, BWV 248 (BC D7): Kantate No. 5. No. 47. Aria. Erleucht auch meine finstre Sin 13. Weihnachtsoratorium (Christmas Oratorio), in six parts, BWV 248 (BC D7): Kantate No. 5. No. 49. Recitativo. Warum wollt ihr erschreck 14. Weihnachtsoratorium (Christmas Oratorio), in six parts, BWV 248 (BC D7): Kantate No. 5. No. 50. Recitativo. Und ließ versammlen alle 15. Weihnachtsoratorium (Christmas Oratorio), in six parts, BWV 248 (BC D7): Kantate No. 5. No. 51. Aria. Ach, wenn wird die Zeit erschei 16. Weihnachtsoratorium (Christmas Oratorio), in six parts, BWV 248 (BC D7): Kantate No. 5. No. 52. Recitativo. Mein Liebster herrschet s 17. Weihnachtsoratorium (Christmas Oratorio), in six parts, BWV 248 (BC D7): Kantate No. 5. No. 53. Choral. Zwar ist solche Herzenstube 18. Weihnachtsoratorium (Christmas Oratorio), in six parts, BWV 248 (BC D7): Kantate No. 6. No. 54. Coro. Herr, wenn die stolzen Feinde s 19. Weihnachtsoratorium (Christmas Oratorio), in six parts, BWV 248 (BC D7): Kantate No. 6. No. 55. Recitativo. Da berief Herodes die Wei 20. Weihnachtsoratorium (Christmas Oratorio), in six parts, BWV 248 (BC D7): Kantate No. 6. No. 56. Recitativo. Du Falscher, suche nur de 21. Weihnachtsoratorium (Christmas Oratorio), in six parts, BWV 248 (BC D7): Kantate No. 6. No. 57. Aria. Nur ein Wink von seinen Händen 22. Weihnachtsoratorium (Christmas Oratorio), in six parts, BWV 248 (BC D7): Kantate No. 6. No. 59. Choral. Ich steh an deiner Krippen hi 23. Weihnachtsoratorium (Christmas Oratorio), in six parts, BWV 248 (BC D7): Kantate No. 6. No. 60. Recitativo. Und Gott befahl ihnen im 24. Weihnachtsoratorium (Christmas Oratorio), in six parts, BWV 248 (BC D7): Kantate No. 6. No. 61. Recitativo. So geht! Genug, mein Scha 25. Weihnachtsoratorium (Christmas Oratorio), in six parts, BWV 248 (BC D7): Kantate No. 6. No. 62. Aria. Nun mögt ihr stolzen Feinde sch 26. Weihnachtsoratorium (Christmas Oratorio), in six parts, BWV 248 (BC D7): Kantate No. 6. No. 63. Recitativo. Was will der Höllen Schre 27. Weihnachtsoratorium (Christmas Oratorio), in six parts, BWV 248 (BC D7): Kantate No. 6. No. 64. Choral. Nun seid ihr wohl gerochen Time: 02:28:38 Musicians Nikolaus Harnoncourt conducts Concentus Musicus Wien Arnold Schoenberg Choir Christine Schäfer soprano Bernarda Fink Alto (Vocals) Gerald Finley Bass (Vocal) Christian Gerhaher Bass (Vocal) Werner Güra Tenor (Vocal) ** Starwanderer ** http://www.filefactory.com/folder/9de9053043dab6b7 -------------------------------------------------------------- Checksums too verbose to include here.