A rarely performed Christmas masterpiece will get a double outing in the New Year.

Bach's Christmas Oratorio will be performed by ensemble 1685 with the Midland Concert Orchestra at Carrs Lane Church Centre Birmingham on Friday 2 January and Methodist Central Hall Coventry on Saturday 3 January, both starting at 7.30pm.

The choir's musical director, Richard Jeffcoat explained the New Year performances. "Well, the piece was written in 1734 and was premiered on Christmas Eve 1734 with a second performance on January 6 1735 – a New Year holiday at the time. So naturally, ensemble 1685, in keeping with our practice of trying to keep our performances authentic, settled on two January dates. It's all part of the twelve days of Christmas celebrations."

The Christmas Oratorio is a sumptuous feast of glorious music, celebrating the birth of Jesus, which includes music Bach wrote for extravagant royal occasions. The vocal soloists will be drawn from the group of about twenty ensemble 1685 singers - a practice that Bach would have expected, but which is very rare in our own day.

ensemble 1685 draws its members from across Warwickshire, from Coventry & Rugby to Warwick & Stratford-upon-Avon, and has presented almost 300 performances in the four years of its existence in Scotland, Ireland, Portugal, Italy and France, as well as London and the Midlands. The ensemble has won plaudits for its past performances of works by Bach and Handel such as St John Passion and Messiah. Both Handel and Bach were born in 1685 – hence the ensemble's name.

This performance will appeal to the widest possible audience - a special event for the Bach connoisseur, the classical music-lover, or anyone looking for a different ear-opening experience this Christmas.

As is ensemble 1685’s normal practice, admission will be free of charge and there will be a retiring collection.

The work is a series of cantatas written to be performed on six days over the Christmas season. It has been described as "the most jubilant music you could imagine" but because of the complexities of performance it is rarely heard. This performance, which closely reflects Bach's own practice, is an exceptional opportunity for performers and audience alike, and is offered in the context of worship, in the spirit of authenticity and spirituality.