Christmas Oratorio

This complete recording of the “Christmas Oratorio” from 1950 presents the leading Bach singers of that time. Alongside the RIAS Chamber Choir and the RIAS Chamber Orchestra and under the direction of Karl Ristenpart, they created a recording which both embraces Bach interpretation of the time on a high level, and also heralds historically informed performance practice, particularly in Parts 4 and 5. After the war, Ristenpart championed a cultural ideal which turned away from the drive for monumentalism. In this, Bach served him as a catalyst for mental renewal and as a guide to turn away from the craze surrounding Wagner.