Bach Christmas Oratorio Day 1

Today we had the first chorus rehersal for J.S. Bach Christmas Oratorio. I was really impressed by what we achieved in just 5 hours! The choir is not a regular one, it's a project choir put together by 23 choirs in the area. Today we were approx. 25 sopranos, 30 altos, 10 tenors and 25 basses. Some of us have done the music before, but for some people it was the first time. (I myself did it more than 20 years ago.) We warmed up with some od the easier chorals. Then we just went for it - Number 21 "Ehre sei Gott". And after a few takes we got it together quite nicely. Not for a concert, but impressing for a first time to be. Singing (and playing) Bach is so much fun!!! When you get the music in your body all the unexpected turns get very natural. And if tyou spend more time with it you can see the strong connection between words and music. Understanding the words actually helps you make music out of it. In my ears there is a huge difference between Bach and Händel. Bach can be somewhat "dull" listening to if you don't try to get into the music. But if you do that it's a whole world waiting for you. And playing/singing Bach is a challenge that can take you higher than you thought was ever possible. Händel is much more "what you hear is what you get". The music is there without much thinking. it moves you even if you just listen to it with half an ear. But maybe there isn't much more than that?