Saturday 5th December 2015 at 7.30pm

High Street Methodist Church ∙ Harpenden ∙ AL5 2RU

Bach Christmas Oratorio

Abridged version directed by Terence Charlston

Parts 1 and 4 complete, with shortened versions of Parts 2, 3, 5 and 6

Supported by the Williams Church Music Trust and The Jarvis (Harpenden) Charitable Trust

8 singers of this remarkable young chamber choir join with 20 of the UK’s finest period instrumentalists to recreate a ‘one-per-part’ performance of

Bach’s festive masterpiece as it might have been heard in his day.

Tickets: £15 (students & under 18s £5) unreserved seating.

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Saturday, December 5th 2015 at 7.30pm High Street Methodist Church ∙ Harpenden ∙ AL5 2RU

Bach Christmas Oratorio

Following their hugely popular performances of Bach's Matthew and John Passions, Amici Voices will perform Bach’s masterpiece, the Christmas Oratorio, for the third time at the High Street Methodist Church. This will be their seventh concert in Harpenden. The chamber choir, Amici Voices, was formed in 2012 to perform Bach’s choral masterpieces, especially the two great passions, in a style which reflects the small but highly accomplished vocal and instrumental forces Bach had at his disposal. Drawn from amongst the best young voices in the UK, the eight singers of Amici Voices are all experienced consort singers and vocal soloists in their own right. They gave their first performance in Europe last year, in Oudenaarde, Belgium, where they sang a service of music and words for reflection on Good Friday. For this concert, they are joined by the professional period instrument ensemble Amici Baroque Players who include some of the finest players in their field. The relatively small number of performers (just under 30 with one player and singer per part) enables the wonderful detail of the music, especially the counterpoint, and the unusual instrumentation, to be better heard and appreciated. The performance will be sung in German in an abridged version with Parts 1 and 4 complete, with shortened versions of Parts 2, 3, 5 and 6. See www.amicivoices.com. The Christmas Oratorio is a series of six cantatas each intended for performance on one of the major feast days between Christmas and Epiphany. The six parts are colourfully orchestrated and describe the birth of Jesus, the annunciation and adoration of the shepherds, the naming of Jesus, and the journey of the Magi.

Performance will end by 10pm.

Tickets: £15 (students & under 18s £5) unreserved seating. Available from Rollings Wine Company, 26 Station Road, Harpenden

or 01582 462024