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Mendelssohn: Elijah, 1846 [Gabrieli Consort & Players/Paul McCreesh]

Felix Mendelssohn , Paul McCreesh , Wroclaw Philharmonic Choir , Gabrieli Consort & Players , Rosemary Joshua , et al. Audio CD
4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
Price: £21.25 & this item Delivered FREE in the UK with Super Saver Delivery. See details and conditions
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Mendelssohn: Elijah, 1846 [Gabrieli Consort & Players/Paul McCreesh] + Edward Elgar The Apostles Op.49 (Recorded Live)
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Product details

  • Audio CD (27 Aug 2012)
  • Number of Discs: 2
  • Label: Signum Classics
  • ASIN: B008OGI5ZO
  • Other Editions: MP3 Download
  • Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 27,570 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Product Description

CD Description

At the time of its first performances in 1846, Elijah was hailed as one of the great oratorios alongside Handel s 'Messiah'. It tells the story of the prophet with imposing grandeur, inspirational orchestration and beautiful arias, recitatives and choruses. This mighty piece requires even mightier orchestral and choral forces and the Gabrieli singers are reinforced by the talented Gabrieli Young Singers Scheme and the Wroclaw Philharmonic Choir. This recording sees over 440 musicians taking part, including 92 string players and over 300 singers.

Customer Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
4.8 out of 5 stars
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 11 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars THIS THRILLING NEW "ELIJAH" RECORDING BEATS ALL 31 Aug 2012
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
This new recording -sung in English- and by the same forces as the acclaimed 2011 Prom Concert- brings a thrilling 'fresh/old' look to this famous old 'war-horse' of a score.
Unlike all preceding recordings, Paul McCreesh (so well-known in the 'authentic' performance movement)and his team have faithfully returned to the practices of the early performances conducted by Mendelssohn himself, and those of the decades immediately folllowing that triumphant performance in Birmingham Town Hall in 1846.
Like the 'live' Prom concert on which this recording is based, Paul McCreesh's orchestral and choral forces number over 400.
The augmented orchestra includes the 'period' instruments which Mendelssohn himself wrote for (including the specified ophicleids and serpents) adding vivid wieght and colour, and the massed choir includes not only the Gabrieli Consort at its nucleus but numerous young singers amongst the ranks.
Admittedly, the inspiration of Mendelssohn's writing throughout this lenghty oratorio did occassionally flag, but the enthusiasm of these forces brings it all freshly alive - most often thrillingly.
Amongst the soloists, Simon Keenlyside is a committed Elijah, Sarah Connolly a malevolent Queen -and special mention must be made of the boy-treble Jonty Ward's exceptional singing of the 'weather report' which leads directly into thrilling conclusion of Part One.
For those who heard the 'live' concert broadcast on Radio 3, I can only say that this recording is far superior in it's clarity and detail, as also the balance between the orchestra and the chorus. (e.g. the 'rushing waters' of the violins in "Thanks Be To God" are now to be heard clearly amidst the tumult of brass and wind.)
Such details as impercetively dubbing-in the historically correct sounds of the Birmingham Town Hall organ show the detail and care that has been taken over this project in faithfully realizing this famous and much-loved work anew.
Mention should be made of the exceptional quality of the packaging of the discs -with full texts and translations, and numerous photographs from both the Albert Hall performance and the recording sessions immediately afterwards.
To those who think they 'know' this famous oratorio -or those seeking to investigate it for the first time, I can only say that although I already have several well-acclaimed recordings in my library, this new recording sets a completely different standard by vividly realizing Mendelssohn's imagination and sound-world anew.
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4.0 out of 5 stars Gabrielli Consort/Players at its best again 18 May 2013
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Very good rendition of this Mendelssohn's famous work....good articulation and poise from both choir and orchestra...I find it highly recommendable.
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2 of 3 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars A triumphant new recording 28 Sep 2012
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
This new recording of Elijah is utterly fantastic - all soloists are truly excellent. Connolly is particularly impressive and conveys real loathing and hatred in her vocal. The enourmous chorus are hugely well controlled by McCreesh, particularly in large chorus' where sibilant 'S' sounds could be a real issue for example 'He watching over Israel, SlumberS not nor SleepS'. The choir are a formidable force and in conjunction with the superbly dubbed organ of Birmingham Town Hall perform the powerful chorus' of Elijah with ease. The orchestral overture is incredibly well performed and the orchestra throughout are well controlled and play with poise and style.

The only version of Elijah that is worth buying, and it is worth noting that the packaging is also beautifully presented - a real treat.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful recording
I note one or two carps about diction. When you have a large body of singers hearing every word is difficult, particularly in fugal writing. Read more
Published 3 months ago by gcdenney2008
5.0 out of 5 stars Mendelssohn Elijah, 1846
Wonderful realization of this magnificent work in the grand romantic manner . . . I also loved the packaging of this recording . . . Excellent all around!
Published 4 months ago by Marilyn J Meeker
5.0 out of 5 stars FYI
Just for the record, this was recorded in Watford Colliseum, prior to Albert Hall concert, which was part of 2011 Proms. Read more
Published 7 months ago by vital.spark
3.0 out of 5 stars A big cast and loud chorus for Mendelssohn's masterpiece
This is Paul McCreesh's realization of Mendelssohn's original performance of Felix Mendelssohn's (1809-47) oratorio Elijah from 1846. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Larry VanDeSande
5.0 out of 5 stars One of the great choral recordings
I've got no hesitation in ranking this as one of the truly great choral recordings.

It's a blazing affirmation of Elijah as a living, breathing masterpiece, and of Paul... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Culrath
5.0 out of 5 stars As Good as it Gets
Even if you don't know the story of the Oratorio, you know from the first words that Ahab and Israel are in for a bumpy ride. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Rev. Gary Jon Cooper
5.0 out of 5 stars Sonic Boom!
Make sure your speakers are firmly fastened to the wall and the foundations of your house are reinforced before your put these discs on to your player. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Mr Swallow
5.0 out of 5 stars Elijah brought to life
Absolutely fantastic - it's so alive that you are really there with Elijah and his traumas, trials, tribulations and joys! Read more
Published 8 months ago by Emma
5.0 out of 5 stars Can You Not Hear the Whirlwind and See The Chariot of Fire?
Elijah holds a place in the choral repertoire that needs sustaining and refreshing. The story is that of hero, depressive and a role of great humanity and unassumed majesty. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Philip Hewitt
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