Haydn: Die Schöpfung / Spering, Capella Augustina CD

 Simply a Revelation
I entirely agree with the preceding reviewer. From the moment the prominent brass and woodwind provide an unexpected, mysterious colour to the chaos music, it is clear that this will be no ordinary performance of Haydn's great oratorio. The hushed opening of the bass voice creates a mood of limitless awe which is powerfully dispelled by the tonal weight, perfect chordal balance and sheer excitement of the word 'light'. Outstanding throughout are the vocal qualities, judicious ornamentation and dramatic commitment of the choir and all soloists. The transparent sound of the period instruments allows many felicitous colours to appear which were never noticed in previous performances. All in all a remarkable achievement.
Submitted by Antony (Melbourne, Australia)
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 Joyful, Alert, Incisively Sung & Played Haydn Oratorio
This set is a keeper. No doubt about it. The playing & singing is simply superb. There is not a sleepy or sluggish moment. The band surprises with its informed historical playing practices because these are consistent means to highly musical, expressive ends (rather than ends in themselves). The chorus is faultless. Nobody asleep among the chorus, either. Phrasing & musical style are as much rooted in great lieder and madrigal singing as in symphonic approaches. The soloists, too, inflect & phrase their parts with rare insight. Each soloist has a solid voice across his or her range, but neither too threadbare in tone, nor too operative in manner. Each shows great skill in managing a parlando declamation that never disrupts the oratorio's musical flow, or becomes too archly theatrical. Together, they make their trio work sound like an astounding trinitarian solo voice. All these singers and players sound like they having an incredibly fulfilling time as they bring their wide-awake, fresh, and superbly gifted contributions to bear on this famous work. Highly, highly recommended.
Submitted by drdanfee (Berkeley, CA, USA)
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