J.S. Bach: Christmas Oratorio

Following the huge success of 2015's Magnificat & Christmas Cantata, Dunedin Consort releases its eagerly awaited follow up, Bach's Christmas Oratorio. Anticipation is high since the Magnificat was named 'Choice' by Gramophone, topped the critics' Christmas recommendation lists and received multiple five stars reviews. Fans will once again be thrilled, as John Butt delivers another revelatory performance. Dunedin Consort's acclaimed soloists are Mary Bevan, Clare Wilkinson, Nicholas Mulroy and Matthew Brook (Cantatas 1, 3, 6), Joanne Lunn, Ciara Hendrick, Thomas Hobbs and Konstantin Wolff (Cantatas 2, 4, 5). Butt applies his extensive knowledge of Bach's performing practices to present the range of choral scoring that Bach seems to have used, realising something of the implications of the composer's performing conditions and decisions. Ideally positioned to become the must-have Christmas recording of 2016, this seasonal favourite is a welcome addition to the Dunedin Consort's already enviable catalogue.

The Dunedin Consort has established a reputation as one of the finest period performance choirs around, under the direction of prize-winning historical performance specialist John Butt OBE. The multi-award-winning Dunedin Consort has won praise for the natural style of its soloists and renown for the virtuosity of its singers. In addition to a GRAMMY nomination, Dunedin Consort has won two Gramophone Awards: the 2007 'Baroque Vocal' Award for Handel's Messiah and the 2014 'Choral' Award for Mozart's Requiem. Further accolades include: Esther was voted one of the 'Top 10 Classical Albums of 2012' by The Times, Gramophone included Dunedin Consort in its 'Twenty Greatest Choirs' list and three of its recordings have been named a 'Building A Library: First Choice' by BBC Radio 3's 'Record Review'.