Berlioz: L'Enfance du Christ London Symphony Orchestra, Sir Colin Davis

Described as a 'sacred trilogy', but having begun as a short piece called 'Shepherds' Farewell', Berlioz's oratorio L'Enfance du Christ tells the story of the birth of Jesus and the journey of the Holy Family as they escape Bethlehem and head across Egypt to the city of Saïs. Unlike many of the composer's more flamboyant works, it is, though on a large scale, an exquisite and gentle composition scored for relatively small forces.

'Beuron, probably today's finest lyric tenor, gives the performance an essential idiomatic core in his narration [Tenebrae are] dramatically alert and glowing as stained glass, the angelic messages skin-pricklingly ethereal.'
Performance *****
Sound *****
BBC Music Magazine

'If ever a conductor lived the works of a composer, it's Davis with Berlioz. The London Symphony Orchestra play with delicacy, the Tenebrae Choir are immaculate, and there's an impeccable set of soloists.'
The Independent on Sunday (Classical CD of the Week)

'Sir Colin Davis worked his magic with Berlioz yet again Sir Colin assembled a fine cast of soloists and choir and orchestra sing and play superlatively.'
*****
The Sunday Telegraph