Bach im Hansaviertel

In the organizer's words:

Bach in the Hansaviertel

Festive cantata service on Christmas Day 2024

"Rejoice, shout for joy! Up, praise the days..." - Johann Sebastian Bach's 1st cantata from the Christmas Oratorio, which he composed especially for Christmas Day, begins with these jubilant words. On 25 December 2024 at 11:00 a.m., this magnificent music will be performed as part of a cantata service in the Kaiser-Friedrich-Gedächtniskirche in the Hansaviertel - a special opportunity to experience Bach's masterpiece in its original liturgical context.

The performance of the cantata *"Jauchzet, frohlocket "* in the context of a church service lends the music a special depth. Bach did not write this music as a concert piece, but as a living part of the liturgy. The festive sounds of the cantata thus become an integral part of the service, in which music and words together proclaim and deepen the Christmas message. The magnificent choruses and arias combine with the liturgy and the sermon to musically unfold the joy of the birth of Christ. In addition to Bach's cantata, the famous *"Hallelujah "* from George Frideric Handel's Messiah will also be performed, bringing the festive service to a dignified close.

Performers are the **Capella Vitalis Berlin** and the **Moabiter Kantorei** under the direction of Cantor **Tobias Koriath**. The soloists are **Anna-Luise Oppelt (alto)**, **Maximilian Kleinert (tenor)** and **Raphael Riebesell (bass)**. Prädikantin **Claudia Egold** and Pastor **Sascha Gebauer** will lead the liturgy.

This cantata service offers a special opportunity to experience Bach's music as it was originally intended - as a lively part of the Christmas service, combining the festive joy and spiritual content of the Christmas story in a unique way.

**Wednesday, December 25, 2024, 11:00 am**

Kaiser-Friedrich-Gedächtniskirche, Berlin-Hansaviertel

Free admission - donations requested.

Celebrate Christmas with us in music and words and experience Bach in liturgical abundance!