It may be bordering on cliché, but here’s the Bach Weihnachtsoratorium, complete with all six sections.  I can’t think of more festive music for the holiday season, no matter your religion or lack thereof.  

Johann Sebastian Bach: Weihnachtsoratorium, BWV 248
(Christmas Oratorio)

The Netherlands Bach Society
Jos van Veldhoven, conductor
Muziekcentrum Frits Philips, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
December 2002

Johannette Zomer, soprano
Annette Markert, alto
Gerd Türk, tenor
Peter Harvey, bass

01 Cantata for Christmas Day
02 Cantata for the Second Day of Christmas
03 Cantata for the Third Day of Christmas
04 Cantata for New Year’s Day
05 Cantata for the Sunday after New Year’s Day
06 Cantata for the Sunday after Epiphany

A warning: next week’s upload will not be opera either (three weeks in a row!), but I have a lot of stuff lined up for 2016 which I sincerely hope will continue to please and entertain—or at least intrigue—those of you who listen to my uploads.  More legendary divas!  More composers!  More historic performances!  More productions ripped from the headlines!

I want to wish each and every one of you joyous and harmonious holidays, and send you my deepest thanks for your ongoing support, comments, and suggestions for “Montag mit Marianne.”