Mendelssohn, MDR Radio Choir and Symphony Orchestra, Jun Markl - Elias (Elijah)

Published Monday 8th November 2010
Mendelssohn, MDR Radio Choir and Symphony Orchestra, Jun Markl - Elias (Elijah)
Mendelssohn, MDR Radio Choir and Symphony Orchestra, Jun Markl - Elias (Elijah)

STYLE: Classical
RATING 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9
OUR PRODUCT CODE: 103143-
LABEL: Naxos 85722289
FORMAT: CD Album
ITEMS: 2

Reviewed by Steven Whitehead

Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy (1809-1847) was a musical polymath of the Romantic Age. One of his greatest achievements in his short life was to rescue the oratorios of J S Bach from relative obscurity which, perversely, has led to the relative neglect of Mendelssohn's own work. Most of us, if offered the choice of performing or watching an oratorio, will go for Bach or Handel so poor old Mendelssohn gets relegated to third place. Felix Mendelssohn was born in Hamburg and was the eldest son of a prominent banker and grandson of the Jewish sage Moses Mendelssohn. When Felix converted to Christianity he took the additional surname of Bartholdy. Some of his co-religionists accused him of selling his birthright to gain admission into the cultural elite but Mendelssohn seems to have been sincere in his new faith and argued that Christianity is the logical conclusion and fulfillment of Judaism. In his oratorio 'Elias (Elijah)' the composer returns to his Jewish roots and uses a German text complied by a pastor friend named Julius Schubring (1806-1889). Elijah is one of the heroes of the Old Testament and his story is told in One Kings. Mendelssohn's music is firmly in the Romantic tradition of his day but astute listeners will notice his debt to Bach and Handel. The musical interpretation on this budget-priced double CD is excellent and we applaud all four soloists: Ruth Ziesak (soprano), Claudia Mahnke (mezzo-soprano), Christoph Genz (tenor), and Ralf Lukas (bass). There are other recordings available but unless you are determined to hear it sung in English this version is highly recommended.

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