Saint-Saëns: Oratorio de Noël Op 12 (Bärenreiter vocal score)
The new Bärenreiter edition of Saint-Saëns's Christmas Oratorio is clear and legible, with a particularly thoughtful piano accompaniment in the vocal score
The new Bärenreiter edition of Saint-Saëns's Christmas Oratorio is clear and legible, with a particularly thoughtful piano accompaniment in the vocal score
Tenebrae, Forshaw and Short are alert to every nuance of meaning in the assorted settings, with each item rendered with great beauty of tone
Too many themes sound like compromises or trade-offs
Buxtehude's piece combines a stiff north German Protestant manner with a flamboyant Italian style
Jóhann Jóhannsson builds an extraordinary electro-acoustic work that examines the poetic resonance of apparently chance juxtapositions
Under David Hill's authoritative direction both works are immediate and engaging, with first-class soloists enhancing their impact
It's unlikely any forthcoming recordings will top this one
The boy choristers have a lovely fresh sound, the lower voices feature some particularly resonant basses
If you are an existing subscriber to Gramophone, International Piano or Opera Now and would like to upgrade, please contact us here or call +44 (0)1722 716997.