Haydn, Die Schöpfung - John Nelson

Both the Riccardo Muti and Leonard Bernstein performances of Haydn's masterwork The Creation are outstanding; those who prefer the historically-informed approach with a classical sized orchestra will love the Muti performance- which is also better recorded in my opinion, much more resonance- but Bernstein's more "romantic" and slightly old-fashioned approach works just fine as well and has luxury casting to boot. The venue is opulent and inviting and the whole performance is beautifully shot, with an approach that is not only both cinematic and intimate but very acknowledging to the performers too. The orchestra play with a most luscious sound and have plenty of depth and style, they do exciting and sensitive equally well. The chorus are involved and judging from their confident and vibrant-sounding singing and taut ensemble seemed very well rehearsed, that is especially apparent in the first part.Bernstein's conducting is quite possibly the best thing about this performance, remarkabl