If you're free Thursday evening and are having trouble choosing among all the holiday music offerings, I recommend this ensemble, the finest musicians I've sung with:

J.S. Bach's Weihnachts-Oratorium (Christmas Oratorio) performed by the all-professional Choir of St. Ignatius of Antioch Douglas Keilitz, Director with Philip Anderson, tenor Amaranta Viera, soprano James Gregory, bass Elizabeth Marker, alto and orchestra

First produced in Leipzig in 1734–35, Bach’s Christmas Oratorio unfolds in a set of 6 cantatas unified by a Biblical narrative relating the story of the birth of Christ. This masterpiece of sacred music, for centuries a favorite of concert audiences and church congregations throughout the Christmas season, has been reproduced directly from the authoritative Bach-Gesellschaft edition published by Breitkopf & Härtel of Leipzig.

Thursday, December 28, 8pm, The Church of St. Ignatius of Antioch, 552 West End Avenue at 87th Street, 212.580.3326, www.saintignatiusnyc.org

Suggested donation: $20 ($15 students / seniors)

I hope to see you there - and a joyous, warm and wonderful holiday to you all!!