Weihnachts-Oratorium Main Performer or Conductor: Karl Munchinger Accompaniment/Orchestra: Stuttgarter Kammerorchester Soloists: Weihnachts-Oratorium: Elly Ameling, soprano Helen Watts, contralto Peter Pears, tenor Tom Krause, bass. Instrumentation: Cello Choir Flute Harpsichord Horn Oboe Orchestra Organ Trumpet Violin Voice Individual Works: Weihnachts-Oratorium ,BWV 248 Magnificat, BWV 243 Format: Compact Disc Record Label: Decca Catalog Number: 425 441-2 Year Released/Recorded: 1967/1969 Total Playing Time: 3 hrs, 10 min Comments: George Murnu said: A wonderfully fresh recording of the Christmas Oratorio that I like more and more with repeated listenings. Made in 1967, the recording bought new insights to the work at that time and its charm is still well-preserved. Perhaps Munchinger's most successful recording of a major vocal work by Bach. I particularly like his choice of tempi, not too fast, neither too slow. The soloists are very good as well with Ameling outstanding, although I have reservations about Pears; I find his voice better suited to Purcell or to Britten's War Requiem than to Bach - my favorite evangelist remains Fritz Wunderlich. The recording has been recently re-issued in Decca / London's 2-for-1 series ( without the Magnificat, of course); at that price is a steal. As for the Magnificat, performed of course in the revised D major version that it is universally prefered today, I'm not that enthusiastic. I find it too heavy for my taste. I prefer Kurt Redel or Helmut Rilling for the Magnificat. However, this is one of my favorite recordings of the Oratorio and I return happily to it Christmas after Christmas. Acknowledgements: Thank you to the following for submitting this recording and for your comments: George Murnu Date First Submitted: 12/12/1997 Purchasing: Suggested Purchasing Sources Note: Inclusion in this database does not guarantee the availability of any recording. Some recordings may be out-of-print or no longer available.

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