Sunday 27 November 2011

The first Day of Advent concert from the Frauenkirche in Dresden

Baritone Thomas Hampson singing in the choir

"Jauchzet, frohlocket! auf, preiset die Tage,
Rühmet, was heute der Höchste getan!
Lasset das Zagen, verbannet die Klage,
Stimmet voll Jauchzen und Fröhlichkeit an! Dienet dem Höchsten mit herrlichen Chören, Laßt uns den Namen des Herrschers verehren!"


The first Sunday of Advent traditionally opens the festive season of music on European television channels. The season opener - at least for me - is always the "Adventliche Festmusik aus Dresden" from the beautifully rebuilt Frauenkirche. This was the first Adventliche Festmusik with the soon to be chief conductor Christian Thielemann leading the Staatskapelle Dresden. One could see and hear that the combination Thielemann and Staatskapelle has all it needs for a great future.

Christian Thielemann, and ideal conductor for the Staatskapelle Dresden

Thielemann had chosen wellknown works by Vivaldi, Telemann and Bach for the concert. It all both sounded and looked great in the HD broadcast by German ZDF. The final number was "Jauchzet, frohlocket! Auf, preiset die Tage" from Bach´s Christmas oratorio. It was a very nice idea to make the renowned soloists, mezzo soprano Sophie Koch and baritone Thomas Hampson join the choir in this, one of the most beautiful and moving choral pieces ever composed.


Mezzo Sophie Koch also joined the choir

The beautifully rebuilt Fraueenkirche is a fine setting for the Adventliche Festmusik

Hopefully the forthcoming televised Christmas and New Year´s concerts will be as good and enjoyable as this one!

PS

You can watch and listen to the concert here:

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