Music for Christmas

Bach Akademie Australia

Madeleine Easton | Artistic Director and violin

No piece of music encompasses the spirit of a French Christmas as perfectly as Charpentier’s Messe de minuit, his Midnight Mass. As Christmas was the only time of year when traditional French carols were permitted to be sung in church, Charpentier made full use of them, building his entire mass around these joyous, dancing melodies.

We then return to our roots and round out the year with two of Bach’s most loved and joyous Advent cantatas, bringing the sense of hope and expectation that only this composer can give.

Program

Marc-Anthony Charpentier

Messe de minuit pour Noël (Midnight Mass for Christmas)

Johann Sebastian Bach Two Advent Cantatas

Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland, BWV 62 (Come now, Saviour of the heathen)

Wachet! betet! betet! wachet! BWV 70 (Watch! Pray! Pray! Watch!)

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