Sir John Eliot Gardiner and the ensembles he founded, “The Monteverdi Choir” and “The English Baroque Soloists”, have made some of the most important recordings of Johann Sebastian Bach in recent decades. As one of the most outstanding Bach interpreters, Gardiner has played a decisive role in the popularity of Bach's works today. As early as 1987, Gardiner was praised and celebrated by critics for his first recording of the “Christmas Oratorio”, which premiered almost 300 years ago in Leipzig.

35 years after this groundbreaking recording John Eliot Gardiner decided to re-record the work with the same ensembles and a stellar cast of young soloists. In December 2022, “Christmas Oratorio” moved the audience at St. Martin in the Fields in London. The Times described the phenomenal performance as “a festive triumph”. For Gardiner, Bach's “Christmas Oratorio” has a special significance: “The range of his artistry, imagination and creative response to various stimuli is seemingly endless. Although almost 300 years have passed since it was first heard, Bach's work remains irresistible in its energy and inspiration.”

The celebrated performances will now be released as a 2CD with an additional Blu-Ray and a 76-page booklet, so listen and watch and get into the perfect Christmas mood.