I bought the new release of Bach's Weihnachts-Oratorium mainly out of curiosity. How dare a company in 2011 issue a Bach oratorio played by the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra and Dresden Kammerchor, conducted by Riccardo Chailly?

Well, actually, the release proves there is hope for Bach performance in the 21st century. The lessons of the Central European tradition have been well learned. The lessons of the "original instrument" lot have been listened to, and absorbed. The choir numbers around 20 voices (absolutely ideal, in my book; nicht wahr, Herr Bach?) The orchestra is, more accurately, "members of the Gewandhausorchester". Tempi are somewhat brisk, for my taste, but better that than the other way around. The five solo singers are well balanced. The two hours go quickly and pleasantly. To repeat: there is hope for Bach performances in the 21st century after the excesses of the early 20th century and the late 20th century. With these six cantatas, common-sense and musical taste seem to have returned to the scene.