Holiday Specials

J.S. Bach’s Saint John Passion was written during his first year in Leipzig, and was first performed on Good Friday 1724, shortly after Bach's 39th birthday. The work narrates the Passion of Christ as told in the Gospel of John.  Recorded in 2014, the Rochester, NY Bach Festival presents Bach’s St. John Passion, recorded at Reformation Lutheran Church with Rochester area-musicians, conducted from the harpsichord by David Chin. Soloists include Pablo Bustos as The Evangelist, Joshua Ooms, as Jesus and Joel Balzun as Pilate.

This spiritual, haunting Vespers program is an a cappella setting of texts taken from the Russian Orthodox All-Night Vigil ceremony, and a unique opportunity to hear this masterpiece performed in Russia by the Moscow State Chorus. Valerie Kahler hosts. 

Sara Schneider, host of Early Music Now presents music for Holy Week from England, Italy, Spain and Germany, from the 16th-18th centuries.

The Vienna Philharmonic presents the 2019 New Year’s Day concert of waltzes, polkas and more from the Golden Hall of the Musikverein.

All new stories for the season with Susan Stamberg and Murray Horwitz.

Jonathan Miller directs Chicago a capella in an inspirational show of choral music set to Chanukah texts with some musical twists.

New for 2018, VocalEssence and host John Birge present traditional carols and new discoveries, including the world premiere of two carols from the annual Christmas Carol Contest.

Lynne Warfel hosts an hour of gorgeous, contemplative choral music that tells the traditional Christmas story with songs about angels, the star and the manger scene. Featured artists include Cantus, Chanticleer, Cambridge Singers, Bryn Terfel, Emma Kirkby, Jessye Norman, and a variety of choirs.

Ring in the season with lively interpretations of 17th and 18th century seasonal music played on period instruments by the internationally renowned Chatham Baroque.  Music by Biber, J.S. Bach, Buxtehude and Handel; recorded at Pittsburgh’s Chatham University in December 2017.

Julie Amacher host this annual holiday favorite with the Tabernacle Choir performing touching arrangements of familiar carols, and lesser-known melodies that are fast becoming the new classicals, with the great artistry that is a tradition of the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square.