Dunedin Consort - J.S. Bach: Christmas Oratorio - McAlister Matheson Music

This is a fabulous recording, worth hearing for the opening chorus alone. Just listen to the energy of the timpani and brass, the vitality and precision of the strings and woodwind, and the sheer joy of the singing - with the added bonus that every word of German can be heard!

John Butt's booklet essays, illuminating as always, discuss the Christmas Oratorio in the context of Bach's church and musical life and address the issues relating to its performance, in particular the number of singers. Butt has opted for what he considers a pragmatic approach, one that Bach might have used: two teams of four singers, one covering cantatas 1, 3 and 6 (all involving trumpets), the second cantatas 2, 4 and 5, with the first team augmented by four ripienists in the choruses and chorales. The use of twelve singers has the advantage of providing vocal variety and allowing for doubled vocal lines where required.

The singing is unfailingly beautiful throughout, frequently intimate, but also full of character. Mezzo Clare Wilkinson is especially touching in her arias. Soprano Mary Bevan is a welcome addition to the Dunedin team, whether singing solo or in ensemble; her duet with bass Matthew Brook in the third cantata is a highlight. Tenors Nicholas Mulroy and Thomas Hobbs make ideal Evangelists, while soprano Joanne Lunn's ‘echo' aria in cantata 4 is sublime.

Also impressive is how good each team of soloists sounds together, with the ripienists providing additional colour. At no point does the singing sound undernourished; the balance between singers and instrumentalists has been expertly managed by Linn's Philip Hobbs in the acoustic of Edinburgh's Greyfriars Kirk.

But possibly the most appealing aspect of this set is the way Butt gives a scenic, almost pictorial character to each of the six cantatas. In his words, the second cantata ‘with its large complement of oboes and flutes, emphasizes the rural characteristics of the shepherds' life.... [cantata] 4 cultivates the most elegant, courtly, atmosphere; it opens and closes with suave, dance-like music', and so on.

All in all, this set is guaranteed to fulfil even the highest expectations!