Haydn "The Creation"
Posted by: Rubio on 05 November 2006
I'm looking for an excellent performance of "The Creation". I have read positive comments about many recordings, and the one that tempted me most was Hogwood (but of course it is 100% out of print). Then I wonder if one of these are highly recommendable: Gardiner, Karajan's mono (DG), Kubelik, Spering, Dorati, Jochum or Shaw? I have only heard Rattle, and it sounds good to me (maybe I even end up buying it as I don't find Hogwood). But I can imagine that something more revelatory exists out there somewhere. It's kind of attractive to have it in English, if there isn't a mind-blowing German version out there.
Posted on: 05 November 2006 by Tam
My recommendation, especially after a wonderful concert performance last month, would be for Mackerras. Sadly, he hasn't recorded it!
However, the Bernstein version with the Bavarian Radio symphony orchestra is very fine indeed. It comes in a 4 disc set of his DG Haydn recordings which are some of his most enjoyable. And which can be had very cheaply via the amazon marketplace:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/B0001WGDWQ/ref.../026-5347933-2176448I haven't heard the ones you mention, but Imagine Jochum would be a good choice too. Certainly I know his London symphonies well and they are my favourite cycle.
regards, Tam
Posted on: 05 November 2006 by KenM
For a German language version, Rene Jacobs gets very good reviews. In English, Colin Davis sounds good. I like Jochum but I don't think that Bernstein really convinced me at all.
Posted on: 05 November 2006 by Chris Shorter
The Dorati is one of my favourite recordings of any music, not just my favoured Creation. The recording is fresh with great prescence. I would love a vinyl copy but I've never found one. The CD may not be in print; it wasn't a few months ago when I tried to buy a copy for a friend.
Posted on: 05 November 2006 by Rubio
quote:
Originally posted by Chris Shorter:
The Dorati is one of my favourite recordings of any music, not just my favoured Creation. The recording is fresh with great prescence. I would love a vinyl copy but I've never found one. The CD may not be in print; it wasn't a few months ago when I tried to buy a copy for a friend.
The Dorati is tempting. Have you heard other recordings of "The Creation" for a comparison or is it your only version?
I don't think Rene Jacobs has recorded "The Creation". I know he has a CD of "The Seasons" that has got raving reviews.
Posted on: 05 November 2006 by Chris Shorter
I don't know of any of the other recordings in your list but I also have Harnoncourt and Harry Christophers in my collection but I never return to them. I do have Gardiner's Seasons but can't imagine that I would prefer his approach in The Creation to Dorati. I would like to hear Hogwood though - I particularly like his Haydn symphonies - one for the vinyl wish list!
Posted on: 05 November 2006 by Tam
As far as Harnoncourt goes, I haven't heard his creation, but I did hear a fair bit of his recent set of Paris symphonies and, despite the rave reviews they seemed to garner, I didn't warm to them at all. He seems to stop-start in a way that saps them of their momentum and doesn't really seem to have that spark of joy that, for me, is key to good Haydn, the creation more so than any.
regards, Tam
Posted on: 08 November 2006 by --duncan--
If you can wait 'til next year, DG are releasing Paul McCreesh's version. I heard
this performance at the Barbican recently and share the Guardian reviewers enthusiasm. McCreesh has edited a new English translation and it came across very clearly, helping this non-German speaker appreciate Haydn's marvellous musical illustration of the text.
duncan
