Bach, Christmas Oratorio
December 2025 | ||||||
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Rejoice, exult! A timpani solo catches the ear, flutes and oboes trill expectantly. Then the celebration bursts forth: full strings, blaring trumpets, and a multi-voiced jubilant choir announce the birth of Jesus. With the opening bars of the Christmas Oratorio, which Johann Sebastian Bach composed 300 years ago for the church services between Christmas Day and Epiphany, the festive season begins for many people even today.
Program and cast
Tölzer Knabenchor
Orchester der KlangVerwaltung
Marie-Sophie Pollak, soprano
Corinna Scheurle, mezzo-soprano
Patrick Grahl, tenor
Björn Bürger, baritone
Thomas Guggeis, conductor
Program
Bach: Christmas Oratorio BWV 248 – Cantatas I to VI
Isar Philharmonic
Isarphilharmonie
Munich’s most modern concert hall
Since the Isarphilharmonie opened in October 2021, it has quickly gained a reputation for its special atmosphere and excellent sound. The list of orchestras performing here reads like a veritable Who’s Who, headed by the Munich Philharmonic, the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra and the Munich Chamber Orchestra. High profile concert agencies see the auditorium as the perfect place for guest appearances by national and international orchestras and it also hosts jazz productions and large-scale popular music concerts of all genres.
But the Isarphilharmonie also has another string to its bow: it can be blacked out, making it the ideal venue for film screenings – with or without orchestral accompaniment. The auditorium is equipped with a large screen and top-class cinematic sound systems.
Architecture & acoustics
The building that houses the Isarphilharmonie is a steel structure with an internal volume of nearly 60,000 cubic metres. The concert hall itself can accommodate almost 2000 guests and is made from prefabricated solid wood elements. The walls are clad with black-stained softwood panels, while the stage and floors are made from light cedar wood for a striking contrast. The Isarphilharmonie at Gasteig HP8 was built by the general contractor NÜSSLI to the plans of architects gmp – Gerkan, Marg und Partner.
The Isarphilharmonie acoustics were created by Nagata Acoustics International – the team led by star acoustician Yasuhisa Toyota – who were also involved with the construction of the Elbphilharmonie Hamburg and the Philharmonie de Paris.