Review of Bach: Christmas Oratorio

Introduction

This two-disk set by TDK features Bach`s Christmas Oratorio conducted by John Eliot Gardiner at the Herderkirche in Weimar. A BBC Wales/ EuroArts co-production, it is a straight recording of the concert performance, supported by two informative documentaries.

Video

Shot in 16:9 anamorphic widescreen with standard outside broadcast-style equipment, the image is nothing spectacular to comment on. The content of the programme and the style of the recording offers little of note other than the picture is of broadcast standard and shows no defects of transferral.

Audio

There are soundtracks in LPCM Stereo, AC-3 Digital 5.1 and DTS. Audiophiles may be able to comment better on the quality of the recording. To this listener, presentation was workmanlike and unremarkable which was a pity as I would have liked to hear something special from such a special-looking package as this.

Features

There is a small booklet included in the packaging, which - horror of horrors - is one of those transparent super-jewel-cases. I have never had anything but trouble from these cases and this disk set was no different - the centre spindle and the lid hinge were both broken. Like Warner Snappers, SJCs are abominations and should be done away with.

The menuing system is a nightmare of Japanese, German and English and can only be navigated by trial and error.

There are subtitles, and two excellent documentaries about John Eliot Gardiner`s quest to do this concert.

Conclusion

The disks are a treat for those starved of culture by terrestrial, cable and satellite services, but something of a chore to plough through for those of us whose classical repertoire is restricted to the Last Night of the Proms.

While the packaging states the disks are in PAL standard, the review disks were in NTSC standard.