If you like your Christmas Oratorio in halves (the first three cantatas are available on a separate disc), this recent release from the Augsburg Cathedral Boys Choir and Munich Residence Chamber Orchestra makes a fine impression, both in the dynamic and well-wrought performances and in the vibrant sound (a live recording from the Frauenkirche Günzburg that benefits from an only occasionally audible audience). Highlights include an especially exciting chorus “Ehre sei dir, Gott, gesungen” (and very solid work from the choir in general) along with a charming and perfectly coordinated “echo” aria (“Flößt mein Heiland…”) with two boy soprano soloists; excellent contributions from tenor Gerhard Werlitz and bass Johannes Kammler; and expert solo instrumental playing (that wonderful violin in “Ach, wenn wird die Zeit erscheinen?”; those trumpets in “Herr, wenn die stolzen Feinde schnauben”!).
This performance just has an engaging, uplifting feel about it, one that gives you the sense of musicians fully focused and involved in the specially charged atmosphere of a concert. Conductor Reinhard Kammler knows something about pacing, adopting tempos that fit the music and ensure both textural clarity and rhythmic vitality. While I’m not usually a fan of boy soloists in this music–they rarely have sufficient vocal control and tonal consistency to handle the music’s technical demands–the three singers here do an admirable job, good enough to keep me interested. In all, a very respectable and worthy rendition of this oft-recorded set of cantatas; and if you are so inclined, you can witness the whole performance on a separate DVD. Recommended.
