FULL Christmas Leipzig 1723 with Bach Budapest 2023 Ágnes Kovács, Eszter Balogh, Zoltán Megyesi, Christian Immler
Information on the Performance
- Work Title: Christmas Leipzig 1723
- Composer: Bach Johann Sebastian
- Libretto: various
- Venue & Opera Company: Bela Bartok Concert Hall, müpa, Budapest, Hungary
- Recorded: December 23, 2023
- Type: Concert Live
- Singers: Ágnes Kovács, Eszter Balogh, Zoltán Megyesi, Christian Immler
- Conductor: György Vashegyi
- Orchestra: Hungarian National Philharmonic Orchestra
- Chorus: Hungarian National Choir
- Chorus Master: Csaba Somos
- Stage Director:
- Costume Designer:
Information about the Recording
- Published by: müpa Homae
- Date Published: 2023
- Format: Streaming
- Quality Video: 4 Audio:4
- Subtitles: yessubs, othersubs
- Video Recording from: vk FULL VIDEO
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THIS PERFORMANCE
J. S. Bach: “Sehet, welch eine Liebe hat uns der Vater erzeiget” – cantata, BWV 64
J. S. Bach: “Singet dem Herrn ein neues Lied” – cantata, BWV 190
J. S. Bach: “Gloria in excelsis Deo” – cantata, BWV 191
J. S. Bach: Magnificat in D major, BWV 243
A musical journey in time: Christmas in Leipzig, 300 years ago. But why then, exactly? Because Johann Sebastian Bach was nominated the choirmaster of St. Thomas Church in the spring of 1723, and Christmas was the first major celebration during his period of service where he could show off his skill as a composer before the city’s public. The night before Christmas Eve, the Hungarian National Choir and the National Philharmonic Orchestra, transformed into a chamber orchestra and aided by some outstanding soloists – with György Vashegyi as conductor – will perform Bach works linked to this time.
Bach composed Cantata No. 64 (Sehet, welch eine Liebe hat uns der Vater erzeiget) for the Christmas of 1723, and Singet dem Herrn ein neues Lied (BWV 190) for New Year’s Day. His role in Budapest’s music scene came mainly in the ’30s and ’40s.
Gloria in excelsis Deo (Bach’s sole church cantata written in Latin, BWV 191), may have been composed in 1742, but as a Christmas work it still fits the bill. Just like the first two works, Magnificat was also written in 1723, originally in E-flat major, though in this concert we will hear the 1733 version, which was transposed to D major. This Christmas Bach evening promises to be a thrilling artistic experience for the members of the Hungarian National Philharmonic and the Hungarian National Choir.