Non-season ticket concert / 4
Wednesday, 23 December 2020, 7:30 pm
Christmas Concert
Heinrich Schütz: The Christmas Story, SWV 435
László Kálmán Evangelist
Edit Károly Angel
Pál Mátyás Tóth Herod
Borbála Kiss, Eszter Puskás, Zoltán Gavodi Shepherds
Sándor Boros, Zoltán Czier, Viktor Korbász Wise Men of the East
Zsombor Cserményi, György Silló, Dömötör Pintér, Árpád Bence Labant High Priests
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Ralph Vaughan Williams: Hodie – Christmas cantata
Ágnes Kristófi soprano
Szabolcs Brickner tenor
Zsolt Haja baritone
The Children's Choir of the Zoltán Kodály Hungarian Choir School (choirmasters: Borbála Sapszon, Ferenc Sapszon)
Hungarian National Philharmonic Orchestra
Hungarian National Choir (choirmaster: Csaba Somos)
Conductor: Csaba Somos
This concert by the Hungarian National Philharmonic offers the audience two rarities and two genuine musical treats, all embracing the theme of Christmas.
According to records, Heinrich Schütz's Christmas Story (SWV 435) was premièred in Dresden in 1640 with the subtitle "The story of the joyful and blessed birth of Jesus Christ, son of Mary". The work's text consists of a selection of Bible quotes based on the translation by Martin Luther. The master of the early German Baroque era was already well advanced in years when he created the piece. With streamlined structures and clear orchestration, he takes us through the events of the New Testament in the slightly distant manner that was typical of the time.
Ralph Vaughan Williams premièred his cantata Hodie in 1954, a good three centuries later. This composition written for a full orchestra, a massive chorus and children's chorus, as well as vocal soloists, to English and Latin texts also relies on the Bible (chiefly the gospels of Luke and Matthew), although certain movements also include Christmas-themed verses by Thomas Hardy, John Milton, George Herbert, William Drummond and the composer's wife, Ursula Vaughan Williams
