Sir Colin Davis - Berlioz: Lenfance du Christ (2007) [SACD]

This is Colin Davis' third recording of Hector Berlioz's great oratorio and it may be the best. Under his baton, the music flows without undue haste or stodgy piety. Berlioz was a consummate dramatist, even in this uncharacteristic work that often hearkens back to archaic musical forms to evoke the Biblical story. The singers are all outstanding, especially tenor Yann Beuron as the Narrator, whose pure tones and sincere delivery bring continuity to the tripartite structure. Karen Cargill as Mary and William Dazeley as Joseph bring welcome interpretive simplicity to their roles, while Matthew Rose and Peter Rose bring their ample bass instruments to such key roles such as Herod and the Householder. The LSO always plays at its best for Davis, and here it is a major attraction given the extensive orchestral sections of L'enfance du Christ.


Tracks:

L’ Enfance du Christ, oratorio for soprano, 2 tenors, baritone, 3 basses, chorus & orchestra (“trilogie sacrée”) H. 130 (Op. 25) (1850-1854)

Disc 1
1. Part I, Le Songe d’Hérode, prologue – Dans la créche, en ce temps 01:53
2. Part I, Le Songe d’Hérode, scene 1 – Marche Nocturne 08:25
3. Part I, Le Songe d’Hérode, scenes 2 & 3 – Toujours ce rêve! 08:49
4. Part I, Le Songe d’Hérode, scene 4 – Les sages de Judée 03:33
5. Part I, Le Songe d’Hérode, scene 4 – Les Devins font des évolutions 01:28
6. Part I, Le Songe d’Hérode, scene 4 – La voix dit vrai, Seigneur 04:11
7. Part I, Le Songe d’Hérode, scene 5 – O mon cher fils 08:20
8. Part I, Le Songe d’Hérode, scene 6 – Joseph! Marie! 04:21

Disc 2
1. Part II, La Fuite en Égypte, Ouverture 06:25
2. Part II, La Fuite en Égypte, The Shepherds Farewell to the Holy Family 07:15
3. Part II, La Fuite en Égypte, The Holy Family at Rest 04:32
4. Part III, L’Arrivée a Sïs, Depuis trois jours 06:39
5. Part III, L’Arrivée a Sïs,, Dans cette ville immense 03:33
6. Part III, L’Arrivée a Sïs,entrez pauvres Hébreux 05:25
7. Part III, L’Arrivée a Sïs,- Trio for two flutes and harp 07:36
8. Part III, L’Arrivée a Sïs, – Vous pleurez, jeune mére 06:23
9. Part III, L’Arrivée a Sïs, – Ce fut ainsi que par un infidèle 04:27
10. Part III, L’Arrivée a Sïs, – O mon âme 03:08

Personnel:

Yann Beuron, tenor – The Narrator/Centurion
Karen Cargill, mezzo-soprano – Marie
William Dazeley, baritone – Joseph
Matthew Rose, bass – Herod
Peter Rose, bass – Father/Polydorus
London Symphony Orchestra
Sir Colin Davis, conductor
Tenebrae Choir
Nigel Short, choir director
Jocelyne Dienst, musical assistant