BRISK brings together music for Advent and Christmas from different centuries, and surprises the audience with a plea for the miracle. Much Christmas music harkens back to Gregorian hymns. In the 16th century they became widespread as hymns within Protestant churches. They became the basis of several compositions in this concert: versions by Praetorius, Hassler, Sweelinck, Bach and Brahms. There will also be new music by Max Knigge, Willem Wander van Nieuwkerk and Izak de Dreu.

The common thread is a French Christmas song: Une jeune fillette. Actor Hans Thissen brings these musical worlds together by reading poetry about Advent and Christmas, and by making the audience think about the meaning of the miracle in short acted scenes. Science, factuality and common sense mean that in our time we are far removed from the magic of miracles. But it is precisely the experience of the miracle that forms the basis for centuries of breathtakingly beautiful Christmas music.