The Durham Singers perform JS Bach's Christmas Oratorio

On the Eve of the Feast of Epiphany, the Durham Singers perform Cantatas I, II, IV and VI from Bach's Christmas Oratorio, celebrating the birth of Christ, the visit of the shepherds, and the arrival of the Three Kings, and all told with Bach's characteristic use of orchestal colours. A trio of dazzling trumpets herald the baby Jesus as a great king, and then return at the end to accompany the Three Kings. The lovely haunting sound of the baroque oboes in our period instrument orchestra take us to the shepherds quietly watching in their fields, and in Canata IV a pair of natural horns come to the fore.

The Durham Singers continue their partnership with Samling, and for this performance we welcome Samling Artist Timothy Langston to sing the Evangelist and tenor arias, along with soloists from the Samling Academy programme that supports talented young singers who live or study in the North East of England.