Magic

It's a tradition : every year we go to the Berliner Weihnachtskonzert and this will be my present to you. It was played last Saturday 22nd, December 2007 and it was amazing. First because it takes place at the Berliner Dom, which is a very nice place, all with spirits and gold. Imagine you're under the coupole in this Christmas atmosphere with candle lights : it's not very warm but the people all together stay still in a religious way. Even if you're not religious, you feel those moments as anything special could happen, not only because of the time of the year but also with people's mood. Anyway, back to the place everyone is expecting the concert because no only the musicians is visible. The Rundfunkchor Berlin knows how to make an entrance and they did it again : The entire choir arrived sliently from the sides of the Cathedral and disposed themselves around us in circle. After clearing their voice they started to sing. It gave us the thrill. Can't explain. When all your senses are sollicited and they all react. Even the tears were ready to roll down the eyes. And it was only the first song. Maybe we were all surprised by the debut of the concert. A friend of mine was expecting only a concert version and not a choir. After the first two songs the choir took place behind the orchester and carried on the programm. The children choir (Staats- und Domchor Berlin) joined them and solists as well. Of course because it was standing ovation at the end there was an "Encore". This is the video part. It's the first one made with the camera-phone so please have indulgence but the sound is really good. The pictures were taken that night too and you can enjoy the download of the concert by clicking on the red link as usual. After the concert the Rundfunkchor had prepared glühwein that we drank outside in the cold watching city lights from Christmas Markets. This is the concert list :

Michael Praetorius / Jan Sandström :

Es ist ein Ros entsprungen

Arvo Pärt :

Sieben Magnificat-Antiphoren

Frank Martin :

Kantate für die Weihnachtszeit

(Advent + Besuch der Maria bei Elisabeth, Jesu Geburt + Die Hirten)

Erhard Mauersberger :

Vom Himmel hoch, o Englein kommt

Macht hoch die Tür

Anton Bruckner :

Ave Maria für gemischten Chor a cappella

Johann Sebastian Bach :

Ich steh an deiner Krippen hier

O Jesulein süss

Michael Praetorius :

In dulci jubilo

Johann Eccard :

Übers Gebirg Maria geht

Max Reger :

Schlaf, mein Kinderlein

Franz Gruber / Hanns Miessner

Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht

I wish you will enjoy as much as we did at the concert.

I wish you all a wonderful Christmas, wherever you are in the world.