Saturday, December 12th, 2026, 7:30pm
Bach’s Christmas Oratorio with its jubilant opening chorus, tender arias and radiant orchestral writing captures the wonder and joy of the season. Under the leadership of Adrian Butterfield, one of Britain’s leading Baroque specialists and co-founder of the London Handel Festival, the London Handel Players and Pegasus bring this masterpiece to life with period instruments, stylistic authenticity and vivid expression. Their performances at the BBC Proms, Wigmore Hall and major European venues have earned praise for clarity, elegance and artistry.
Few works capture the spirit of Christmas with such brilliance and joy as JS Bach’s Christmas Oratorio (Weihnachtsoratorium), BWV 248, one of the crowning achievements of Baroque sacred music. This monumental creation, composed in 1734, comprises six cantatas, each originally written for a different feast day of the season between Christmas Day and Epiphany. It combines resplendent choruses, expressive arias, and vivid orchestration to celebrate the Nativity story with both majesty and intimacy. It takes listeners on a luminous journey through the key events surrounding the birth of Christ – from the joyous opening “Jauchzet, frohlocket!“, blazing with trumpets and timpani, to scenes of tender lullabies, pastoral stillness, and exuberant fanfares that capture the wonder, drama and radiance of the season. As is common practice, four of the six cantatas will be performed.
A festive, uplifting, and unforgettable celebration – the perfect musical centrepiece for Christmas at Grayshott.
Tickets are available here.
