From Christmas Night to Celebration – Baroque Masters from Vivaldi to Telemann

Helsinki Chamber Choir

Finnish Baroque Orchestra
Irma Niskanen, violin and lead
Nils Schweckendiek, conductor

Liput: 18-24,50 € (Järvenpää, Lippu.fi), 15/29/37/52 € (Helsinki, Ticketmaster)
In collaboration with: Finnish Baroque Orchestra
 

Return once more, sweet peace—the world is weary of discord!” Thus sings Georg Philipp Telemann’s Christmas oratorio Die Hirten an der Krippe zu Bethlehem (The Shepherds at the Manger in Bethlehem, 1759). The Finnish Baroque Orchestra (FiBO) presents this rarely performed oratorio together with the Helsinki Chamber Choir, conducted by Nils Schweckendiek. The Christmas atmosphere is further enriched by orchestral works led by Irma Niskanen.
 

The libretto of Telemann’s (1681–1767) oratorio frames biblical themes in the guise of an ancient pastoral drama. Karl Wilhelm Ramler’s text was originally intended for the Berlin Kapellmeister Friedrich Agricola, who likely passed it on to his Hamburg colleague Telemann. Arrangements of familiar Christmas songs and hymns are illuminated by the brilliance of trumpets and timpani. A distinctive feature of the oratorio is its accompanied recitatives, distributed among several soloists. Musically, these already anticipate the rich tone painting of Haydn’s oratorios. The recitatives depict both the ancient company of shepherds and the community of the congregation. Imaginative arias showcase different facets of Telemann’s mastery, while the chorus movements bring together the work’s message: the oratorio concludes with the angels’ benediction of peace.
 

At the beginning of the concert, FiBO performs the pastoral Pastorale per la Notte di Natale by Johann David Heinichen (1683–1729), court Kapellmeister in Dresden, in which different instrumental groups alternate. Antonio Vivaldi’s (1678–1741) string concerto Il riposo, per il Santissimo Natale also evokes the atmosphere of Christmas night. Johann Sebastian Bach’s (1685–1750) Third Orchestral Suite in D major is known for its famous Air; the work’s splendor and serenity make it a perfect match for the anticipation of Christmas.