London Philharmonic Orchestra - Haydn: Seven Last Words of Our Saviour on the Cross on CD

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Product description Lisa Milne, soprano - Ruxandra Donose, mezzo-soprano - Andrew Kennedy, ténor - Christopher Maltman, baryton - London Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus - Vladimir Jurowski, direction Review a performance of real integrity, Vladimir Jurowski pacing perfectly this predominantly slow, often gravely beautiful music, the use of non-vibrato strings adding a terse, authentic edge. Classical Source on The Seven Last Words at Londons Royal Festival Hall, 2009 --Classical Source on The Seven Last Words at Londons Royal Festival Hall, 2009 Haydn's Seven Last Words is heard most frequently in the string quartet version of 1787.The Choral version of 1796 turned it into an oratorio-grave,uplifting but inevitably focused on words rather than the free-ranging expression of pure music.Jurowski with the LPO and its fabulous choir,offers the best of both worlds,juxtaposing the original instrumental movements with the later choral versions.the result is unexpectedly satisfying:we are never made to feel that the music is doubling up as Jurowski explains:the words are no longer the central focus,but a variation.Recorded live in 2009,this is a full-bodied performance which nevertheless behaves itself with admirable restraint;it could be an enlarged period performance but without period mannerisms.The choral movements are sustained with poise and discipline,and the solo line-up is equally impressive. **** --Financial Times,05/02/11 the Orchestra adopts period manners in this presentation with conviction,and the four soloists and chorus are fine. Performance **** Recording *** --BBC Music Magazine,Mar'11 An extraordinary and special antidote to the toxins of the routine and so-so.Haydn's musical rhetoric,his infinitely subtle phrasing and expressive purity are realised with rare sensitivity. ***** EDITORS CHOICE --Classic fm Magazine,Apr'11 Fervent singing from the excellent LPO choir. --Gramophone.Apr'11