Works by Bach and Handel will be performed in St. Paul's Church on the first Sunday of Advent
The Bach Choir Darmstadt ushers in the Christmas season with festive Baroque music. Under the title "Christmas with Bach and Handel," the choir will present a concert of well-known works by Johann Sebastian Bach and George Frideric Handel on Sunday, November 29, 2026, at 6 p.m. in St. Paul's Church. In addition to the choir and orchestra, soprano Cristina Macaveiu and bayan virtuoso Victor Pribylov will also perform.
The concert on the first Sunday of Advent combines excerpts from Bach's Christmas Oratorio and other choral works with selected movements from Handel's "Messiah". The concert concludes with a sing-along of Christmas carols with the audience.
Festive choruses from Bach's Christmas Oratorio
The concert opens with two well-known choruses from Johann Sebastian Bach's Christmas Oratorio. With "Jauchzet, frohlocket!" and "Erhre sei dir, Gott!", festive compositions are on the program, which are among the most famous works of Christmas church music.
The first movement of Bach's "Magnificat" follows, musically continuing the festive mood. With "Wachet, betet!" from the cantata BWV 70, the focus then shifts to the Advent season.
Bayan brings a special sound to the concert
A special feature of the evening is the performance by the bayan virtuoso Victor Pribylov. The bayan is an Eastern European variant of the chromatic button accordion, distinguished by its unique tonal possibilities.
Pribylov interprets Bach's Prelude and Fugue in D major and a movement from his Concerto in A minor for organ, based on Antonio Vivaldi. The works, originally written for organ, acquire a different sonic character through their arrangement for the bayan.
Handel's "Messiah" with its famous Hallelujah Chorus
The second musical focus of the Christmas concert is on Georg Friedrich Handel's oratorio "Messiah".
Selected choral pieces tell of the promise and birth of the Messiah. These include "And the glory of the Lord," "For unto us a child is born," and "Glory to God in the highest." The instrumental "Pifa," also known as pastoral music, is also on the program.
Soprano Cristina Macaveiu will perform, among other pieces, the aria "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion." The first part of the oratorio concludes with the chorus "His yoke is easy.".
As a festive highlight, the famous "Hallelujah" from Handel's "Messiah" is finally heard.
To conclude, everyone sings Christmas carols together
A tradition of the Bach Choir Darmstadt is the communal singing of Christmas carols. This year, concertgoers are once again invited to join the choir and orchestra in singing familiar songs.
The Bach Choir Darmstadt performs under the direction of Angela Gehann-Dernbach together with the Pro Musica Chamber Orchestra.
Children under 15 years of age have free admission. Discounts are available for school pupils, students, people with disabilities, and their accompanying persons. The specific terms and conditions are listed on the Bach Choir's website.
The most important data
What: Christmas concert “Christmas with Bach and Handel”
When: Sunday, November 29, 2026 (First Sunday of Advent), 6 p.m
Where: Pauluskirche, Niebergallweg 20, Darmstadt
Performers: Bach Choir Darmstadt, Pro Musica Chamber Orchestra
Soloists: Cristina Macaveiu (soprano), Victor Pribylov (bayan)
Director: Angela Gehann-Dernbach
Admission: Children under 15 years free, discounts for eligible groups
Advance tickets: Darmstadt-Shop in the Luisencenter, Luisenstraße 12, telephone 06151 134513
Tickets and further information: www.bachchor-darmstadt.de
Online tickets: ztix – Christmas with Bach and Handel
(DARMSTADT – RED/PM)
