[ LSO Live SACD / CD ]
Release Date: Friday 13 November 2020
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Composed in 1803, while Beethoven was also writing the 'Eroica' Symphony, Christ on the Mount of Olives (Christus am Ölberge) is the composer's only oratorio, and combines the emotive force of his later Missa Solemnis with the theatre of a Bach Passion. With orchestra, chorus and soloists, it tells the story of Jesus' prayer and arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane and also reflects the emotional pressure Beethoven was under at the time. This recording by Sir Simon Rattle, with acclaimed singers Elsa Dreisig, Pavol Breslik and David Soar was made during the London Symphony Orchestra's celebration of Beethoven's 250th anniversary. 'When I came to the Mount of Olives, I immediately was simply puzzled. Why isn't this piece played? Of course, it's a mixed piece and there are weird flaws and edges but so there are in the Ninth Symphony, they're part of the personality. It's a fascinating moment in his life when he was starting really to deal with his hearing loss. He'd written the Heiligenstadt Testament, where he really confessed to his suicidal thoughts on losing the single-most important ability a musician could have. There is a kind of unearthly, underground sensation of some of it, there's also a real feeling of naive belief in the possibility of things being better. I think it is completely heaven.' - Sir Simon Rattle
1. Christ On The Mount Of Olives: No. 1a, Introduzione. Grave - Adagio
2. Christ On The Mount Of Olives: No. 1b, Recitativo. Jehova, Du Mein Vater!
3. Christ On The Mount Of Olives: No. 1c, Aria. Meine Seele Ist Erschuttert
4. Christ On The Mount Of Olives: No. 2a, Recitativo. Erzittre, Erde!
5. Christ On The Mount Of Olives: No. 2b, Aria. Preist Des Erlosers Gute
6. Christ On The Mount Of Olives: No. 2c, Chor Der Engel. O Heil Euch Ihr Erlosten
7. Christ On The Mount Of Olives: No. 3a, Recitativo. Verkundet, Seraph, Mir Dein Mund
8. Christ On The Mount Of Olives: No. 3b, Duetto. So Ruhe Dann Mit Ganzer Schwere
9. Christ On The Mount Of Olives: No. 4a, Recitativo. Willkommen, Tod!
10. Christ On The Mount Of Olives: No. 4b, Chor Der Krieger. Wir Haben Ihn Gesehen
11. Christ On The Mount Of Olives: No. 5a, Recitativo. Die Mich Zu Fangen Ausgezogen Sind
12. Christ On The Mount Of Olives: No. 5b, Chor Der Krieger. Chor Der Junger
13. Christ On The Mount Of Olives: No. 6a, Recitativo. Nicht Ungestraft Soll Der Verwegnen Schar
14. Christ On The Mount Of Olives: No. 6b, Terzetto. In Meinen Adern Wuhlen Unbandig Zorn Und Wut
15. Christ On The Mount Of Olives: No. 6c, Chor Der Krieger, Chor Der Junger.
16. Christ On The Mount Of Olives: No. 6d, Chor Der Engel. Welten Singen Lob Und Ehre
17. Christ On The Mount Of Olives: No. 6e, Chor Der Engel. Preiset Ihn, Ihr Engelschore