Westchester Oratorio Society Presents Bach’s “Christmas Oratorio”

This Saturday, November 22, Benjamin Niemczyk and the Westchester Oratorio Society will present J.S. Bach’s “Christmas Oratorio” at Presbyterian Church of Mount Kisco at 7:30 PM. The performance will feature James Kennerley on the Church’s magnificent Von Beckerath organ.

Hailed as “a great organist” with “phenomenal technique and sheer musicality” by Bloomberg News, and praised as a tenor by New Yorker critic Alex Ross, James Kennerley is a multi-faceted musician.   A native of the United Kingdom, Mr. Kennerley was Organ Scholar at Jesus College, Cambridge University and later at Saint Paul’s Cathedral, London, where he performed in the presence of HM the Queen on several occasions.   Currently, he is Organist and Choirmaster at Saint Ignatius of Antioch Episcopal Church in New York City, where he directs the professional choir and coordinates the church’s extensive concert series.

Written by Bach to be performed in six parts during the Christmas season of 1734/35, the full “Christmas Oratorio” has a three hour running time. Mr. Niemcyzk has edited the work to a more manageable length for a Saturday evening performance by including most of the choruses and presenting the most beautiful and dynamic arias. The work will be sung in German.  Joining WOS will be soprano, Corrine Byrne, who sang to great acclaim with WOS and REBEL Baroque Ensemble last spring, perennial favorite, tenor, Christopher Ellmann, and “rising stars” Kate McNamara and Joseph Beckwith.  Trumpet and timpani will add to the excitement!

Westchester Oratorio Society is now in its 18^th season, its eight under the baton of Mr. Niemczyk. The group is known for its performances of early music, traditional choral masterworks and contemporary pieces before local audiences with professional soloists and orchestras, and collaborations with premier groups and artists such as Tiffany Consort and REBEL Baroque Ensemble, as well as its appearances in the New York metropolitan area including at Carnegie Hall, the Brooklyn Academy of Music and the Cathedral of St. John the Divine.

Rehearsals are on Tuesday evenings at the Katonah Village Library. Preparations begin in January for a May 3, 2014, performance of Mozart’s Mass in C minor, with the society’s professional orchestra and professional soloists. Those interested in joining for the spring can call or text 347-223-9303.

Tickets are $20 General and $40 Preferred, in advance, $25 and $50 Preferred at the door, and are available online at the group’s website, www.Westchesteroratorio.org or by telephone (914) 763-9389. For more information email WestchesterOratorio@Gmail.com. Visit the group on Facebook at www.facebook.com/westchesteroratorio and follow on Twitter @Westchesterora.