If there is one work that sheds light on all facets of festive music-making during the Christmas season, it is Johann Sebastian Bach's Christmas Oratorio. This music transcends the ages and radiates throughout the world – starting in Leipzig, where the six-part cantata cycle was first heard in the two main churches of St. Nikolai and St. Thomas on the festive days between 25 December 1734 and 6 January 1735. This year, the new Thomaskantor in Leipzig and 18th successor to Johann Sebastian Bach, the Swiss conductor Andreas Reize, performed the complete Christmas Oratorio. Johann Sebastian Bach (1685 – 1770) Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248 Cantatas I - VI Gewandhausorchester Thomanerchor Leipzig Thomaskantor Andreas Reize Christina Landshamer, soprano Elvira Bill, alto Benedikt Kristjánsson, tenor Konstantin Krimmel, bass