Let us take to a trip to an 18th century Christmas in Leipzig with 'Jauchzet, frohlocket!' (Rejoice), the opening of JS Bach's epic six-part Christmas Oratorio. Performed here in the beautiful St Anne and St Agnus Church in London by the VOCES8 Foundation Choir and Baroque orchestra lead by Bojan Čičić and conducted by Barnaby Smith.

The Christmas Oratorio was written in 1734 whilst Bach held the position of Thomaskantor in the City of Leipzig. This well-respected position made Bach responsible for the liturgical music at the major churches in the city where each of the six parts of the Oratorio were designed to be performed on various feast days during the advent period. The scoring is particulary grand for Bach who produced very few large-scale orchestral works over his life time. Three trumpets, timpani and a whole host of wind instruments allow for a truly immense sound - especially to 18th century ears!

This recording is part of 'Live from London Christmas 2023', a series of streamed concerts of an assortment of festival choral works running from 4 December to 7 January.

Live from London Christmas 2023 runs from 4 December to 7 January. You can find more information here. You can hear more Festivities from VOCES8 from their album 'A Choral Christmas' below via Apple Music.​