Johann Sebastian Bach’s Christmas Oratorio, composed in 1734, is one of the pinnacles of the choral repertoire. Conceived as six cantatas for performance across the Christmas season, it combines festive choruses, lyrical arias, and narrative recitatives to tell the story of Christ’s birth.

The Neil Jenkins English translation, used here, makes the text vivid and accessible while preserving Bach’s grandeur.

On Saturday evening, Newbury Choral Society presented Parts 1, 3, 5, and 6 in St Nicolas Church. Conductor Joe Tobin led the choir and orchestra with clarity and energy, shaping a performance that drew the Society’s largest audience in recent memory - a clear sign of the enduring appeal of this masterpiece.

From the opening chorus, the choir sang with conviction. After a moment of settling, they found their stride, producing a bright, balanced sound that filled the church with festive resonance. Their discipline and enthusiasm were evident throughout, but it was in Part 6 that the choir truly shone. The chorale, a cornerstone of Bach’s writing, was delivered with poise and unanimity. The voices blended

seamlessly, the phrasing was carefully shaped, and the harmonic richness came through with clarity. It was a moment of stillness and beauty that contrasted with the more exuberant sections, and it demonstrated the choir’s ability to combine technical control with expressive depth.

Endelienta Baroque provided stylish accompaniment, their period instruments lending authenticity and colour. Strings and woodwind offered warmth and rhythmic vitality, while Steve Bowey’s keyboard added depth and tasteful ornamentation. The baroque trumpet, though occasionally testing the player, brought brilliance to the texture, and the oboe playing was a highlight, marked by expressive phrasing and finesse.

Together, the orchestra supported the choir and soloists with elegance and energy. The soloists brought individuality and character to their roles.

Soprano Daisy Livesey sang with brightness and projection, occasionally a touch stronger than required. Alto Merce Bruguera Abello contributed a warm, rich tone that blended beautifully in arias and recitatives. Tenor Gopal Kambo, though sometimes quieter, offered lyrical phrasing and sensitivity, particularly in the Evangelist’s narrative. Bass Allyn Wu anchored the quartet with authority, his resonant timbre lending weight to the lower lines.

The concert concluded with a flourish from the choir, whose disciplined singing and evident enjoyment were matched by the audience’s enthusiastic response. Sustained applause reflected not only appreciation for the performers but also delight in experiencing this seasonal work in such a fitting setting.

Overall, Newbury Choral Society’s performance was both popular and artistically rewarding.

With Joe Tobin’s direction, Endelienta Baroque’s artistry, Steve Bowey’s keyboard colours, and the commitment of the soloists and choir, the evening was a festive highlight - an affirmation of Bach’s genius and of the Society’s place at the heart of the community’s musical life.

Newbury Choral Society will perform Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana in St Nicolas Church on Saturday 26th March at 7:30pm