A Bach Christmas December 15, 2012

Masaaki Suzuki, conductor
Soloists from Yale University's Schola Cantorum
Sherezade Panthaki, soprano
Fabiana Gonzalez, alto
Dann Coakwell, tenor
Dashon Burton, bass-baritone
Philharmonia Chorale, Bruce Lamott, director

Founder and director of Bach Collegium Japan, Masaaki Suzuki conducts Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra and Chorale for the first time in a joyous evening of Christmas music by Johann Sebastian Bach. Maestro Suzuki hand-picked the four brilliant soloists from his exclusive Schola Cantorum at Yale University.

This iconic program of familiar masterworks includes the Orchestral Suite No 3, best known for the lyrical "Air on the G String." Christen, atzet diesen Tag, Bach's first known Christmas Cantata is paired with his later, virtuosic Magnificat; performed here in its original setting with the Christmas motets and text restored.

PROGRAM
BACH Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D major, BWV 1068
BACH Cantata No. 63 Christen, atzet diesen Tag, BWV 63
BACH Magnificat in E-flat major, BWV 243a

MASAAKI SUZUKI
Since founding Bach Collegium Japan in 1990, Masaaki Suzuki has established himself as a leading authority on the works of Bach. He has remained their Music Director ever since, taking them regularly to major venues and festivals in Europe and the USA and building up an outstanding reputation for the expressive refinement and truth of his performances.

Masaaki Suzuki combines his conducting career with his work as organist and harpsichordist. Born in Kobe, he graduated from the Tokyo University of Fine Arts and Music with a degree in composition and organ performance and went on to study harpsichord and organ at the Sweelinck Conservatory in Amsterdam under Ton Koopman and Piet Kee. Founder and head of the early music department at the Tokyo University of the Arts, he is currently Visiting Professor of Choral Conducting at the Yale School of Music and Yale Institute of Sacred Music and the conductor of Yale Schola Cantorum.

Official Website: http://www.philharmonia.org/