J.S. Bach: Christmas Oratorio BWV 248, cantatas I\u2013IV<\/p>\n
A festive concert with Bach\u2018s beloved Christmas Oratorio to celebrate the 40th season of the Motet Choir and the Reykjavik Friends of the Arts Society.<\/p>\n
Performers:<\/p>\n
The Motet Choir<\/p>\n
The Reykjavik International Baroque Orchestra, concertmaster Tuomo Suni (FI)<\/p>\n
Herd\u00eds Anna J\u00f3nasd\u00f3ttir soprano<\/p>\n
Alex Potter countertenor<\/p>\n
Benjamin Glaubitz tenor<\/p>\n
J\u00f3hann Kristinsson bass<\/p>\n
Conductor is H\u00f6r\u00f0ur \u00c1skelsson, Artistic Director of the Reykjavik Friends of the Arts Society.<\/p>\n
The Motet Choir, founded in 1982, has long been one of the leading choirs in Iceland. Its large and diverse repertoire includes a number of oratorios, passions and requiems, as well as a cappella sacred music from various periods. The choir has also premiered many Icelandic compositions. The choir has toured widely and performed in some of Europe\u2019s most prominent cathedrals and at various festivals. The Motet Choir has recorded and released many CDs earning international acclaim as well as winning prizes at choir festivals including the Grand Prix prize at the Festival Canc\u00f3 Mediterr\u00e0nia in Spain in 2014.<\/p>\n
The Reykjav\u00edk International Baroque Orchestra is comprised of some of the finest musicians from around the world, most having studied at the Royal Conservatory of The Hague, one of the leading academies in baroque performance. The members have established themselves as highly sought after musicians in Europe, now regularly performing with some of the world\u2018s leading ensembles and orchestras under the baton of acclaimed directors. These include the Ricercar Consort, Les Arts Florissants, Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra, Bach Collegium Japan, Concerto Copenhagen, Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, Gabrieli Consort & Players, Collegium Vocale Gent, Capriccio Stravagante and Orchestre des Champs-Elys\u00e9es, and directors such as Philippe Pierlot, William Christie, Masaaki Suzuki, Skip Semp\u00e9 and Philippe Herreweghe. Members of the Reykjavik International Baroque Orchestra have frequently visited Iceland since 2004 and played under the direction of H\u00f6r\u00f0ur \u00c1skelsson, receiving wide acclaim for their performances.<\/p>\n
H\u00f6r\u00f0ur \u00c1skelsson was the main organist and cantor in Hallgr\u00edmskirkja from June 1982 \u2013 June 2021. In the year 1982 he founded the Motet Choir of Hallgr\u00edmskirkja and was the initiator of the founding of the Friends of the Arts Society of Hallgr\u00edmskirkja \u2013 now the Reykjavik Friends of the Arts Society. In 1996 \u00c1skelsson founded the chamber choir Schola Cantorum, which has become one of Iceland\u2019s most respected choirs. H\u00f6r\u00f0ur \u00c1skelsson has received much recognition and conducted many oratorios, often with the Iceland Symphony Orchestra, and premiered a number of Icelandic compositions. With his choirs he has participated in various music festivals and international competitions, winning prizes. He has received many prizes, including the Icelandic Music Prize in 2002 and the distinguished Knight\u2019s Cross of the Icelandic Order of the Falcon in 2004. H\u00f6r\u00f0ur \u00c1skelsson has also been a teacher of the organ and choir conducting at the Iceland National Church\u2019s Music School and from 2005\u20132011 he was the Church Music Director of the National Church of Iceland.<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t