GVAI's Holiday Blog Special 10

December 10

Jauchzet, frohlocket
Shout for joy! 

There was no chance for me anymore to buy a ticket to the performance of Bach's Weihnachtsoratorium (Christmas Oratorio) in the Thomaskirche (St. Thomas Church) in Leipzig/Germany where Bach worked as music director from 1723 until 1750 and composed more than 150 cantatas, one new one every week. But how lucky I was:

​Walking around the historic part of Leipzig on the trail of Mendelssohn, Schumann and Bach, I walked into the Thomaskirche where the world famous Thomanerchor (St. Thomas Boys Choir) rehearsed the beginning of the Christmas Oratorio "Jauchzet frohlocket" together with the Gewandhausorchestra. I could not believe it. This was even better. 

I listened to their work on the precision of the coloraturas in Jauchzet, frohlocket and the legato in Wie soll ich Dich empfangen, the phrasing in Er ist auf Erden kommen. The half steps in some more challenging cords needed special attention. The time passed quickly and the boys sounded amazing. What thrill to hear them at this historic place.  

These are some pictures I took for you of the Thomaskirche and the Bach statue in front of it.

And here is a video of the Thomanerchor performing the Jauchzet, frohlocket of the Christmas oratorio. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.