Distler: The Christmas Story
The Story of Christmas op. 10 was one of the most popular religious works of the young Hugo Distler, and with its moving tenderness it is one of the most attractive oratorios which can be performed by any and all a cappella ensembles during Advent or Christmastime. The complete story is told by a narrator, which Hugo Distler employed after the manner of an early baroque model of a passion, is performed by an a cappella choral ensemble. On the present recording, the Athesinus Ensemble Berlin, which also provided the soloists in the oratorio, performed with convincing expressivity, warmth, flawless intonation and an extreme vocal flexibility.