Philharmonischer Chor Berlin

For Christmas, we’re combining three works by Mendelssohn Bartholdy into a sort of Christmas oratorio: The anthem “Hör mein Bitten” (“Hear My Prayer”), one of his best-known sacred compositions, is followed by “Die Geburt Christi” (“The Birth of Christ”) from Mendelssohn’s fragment of the Christ Oratorio, after which we will perform “Vom Himmel hoch—Kantate über Luthers Weihnachtslied” (“From Heaven Above—Cantata on Luther’s Christmas Hymn”). The text contains no original poetry but uses exclusively verses from the underlying hymn. After the intermission, Benjamin Britten’s cantata “Saint Nicolas” will be performed. It describes the life of Saint Nicholas. The patron saint of children, sailors, and travelers is portrayed by the composer as a strong personality.

Berlin Philharmonic Choir
Brandenburg State Orchestra Frankfurt
Florian Benfer, conductor

Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy “Hör mein Bitten”
Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy “The Birth of Christ”
Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy “From Heaven Above”
Benjamin Britten “Saint Nicolas”