Johann Sebastian Bach held the position of Thomaskantor in Leipzig for almost three decades, providing music for four of the city’s churches, and producing a vast catalogue of music for the Lutheran services – including a wealth of beautiful music for his many Christmases in the city. He wasn’t afraid to reuse and rework earlier material for these sacred purposes, but his Christmas music is nonetheless some of the most beautiful on offer – and, in these refined, thoughtful performances by period instrument ensemble Bach Akademie Australia in Sydney’s Christ Church St Laurence, a welcome counterpoint to the performances of Handel’s Messiah so ubiquitous at this time of year.

Madeleine Easton, Anna Sandström and Bach Akademie Australia. Photo © Noni Caroll 

The musicians of Bach Akademie Australia, led by violinist Madeleine Easton, opened the concert with the BWV 151 cantata, Süsser Trost, or Sweet Comfort, which – like many of the works in this program – features a prominent flute part. The wooden baroque flute or traverso has a sweeter, more delicate sound than the metal orchestral flute we know today, and it is this quality that Bach harnessed in this...