Ensemble Resonanz: »weihnachtsoratorium«

The Ensemble Resonanz from Hamburg presents one of its passion projects: Bach's »Weihnachtsoratorium« (Christmas Oratorio) staged as house music among friends. Without a large choir and with a small ensemble, the internationally sought-after string orchestra has developed thirty arias, recitatives and chorales from Bach's masterpiece in its own arrangement. Reduced, intimate and newly orchestrated. Instead of organ, oboes and timpani, nine strings, guitars, vintage keyboards and four singers make the oratorio their own. A single trumpet sounds instead of three, and the violins, violas and cellos sing along with the chorales – coming as close as possible to the core of Bach's music. The result is a Christmas Oratorio that sounds completely unexpected and new.