Bach Cantata Choir Baroque Holiday Concert Featuring JS Bach Christmas Oratorio Parts 4, 5, 6, and Cantata 65

The Bach Cantata Choir presents its annual Baroque Holiday Concert at 2pm at Rose City Park Presbyterian Church, 1907 NE 45th St. in Portland Oregon.  The concert features three sections from J. S. Bach's Christmas Oratorio (parts 4, 5, and 6) as well as Bach's Cantata #65. This year, we feature how Bach tells the story of the three kings (or "wise men") as found in the Gospel of Matthew.   Ralph Nelson conducts the 50-voice choir and 15-piece chamber orchestra. 

Rose City Park Presbyterian is located in the Hollywood District at the corner of NE 44th St. and NE Sandy Boulevard. The church has an elevator from the parking lot to provide patrons with handicapped access. All tickets are $40 for general admission seating. Doors open 1 hour before the performance. Students may purchase $10 at the door on the night of the concert. 

J. S. Bach wrote his famous Christmas Oratorio in 1733 in Leipzig, Germany.  Part 4 is actually a cantata that Bach wrote for New Year's Day, and tells the story of the naming of Jesus in the Temple. It features some of Bach's most inventive writing - including the famous "echo aria." Parts 5 and 6 relate the story from the Gospel of Matthew, about the visit of the Magi ("wise men" or 3 kings)  tell the Christmas Story from the Gospel of Luke. Cantata #65 also relates the story of the Magi.  The performance will be sung in German.   Extensive translations are found in the program book.  As part of the concert, the audience will be invited to sing two chorales (hymns) that Bach wrote as part of the Christmas Oratorio.