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CD booklet includes full texts

 

MENDELSSOHN:   "ELIJAH"
Harold Williams, Parry Jones, Isobel Baillie, Clara Serena, Tom Purvis;
BBC National Chorus & orchestra conducted by Stanford Robinson

An Oratorio in Two Parts
English version by W. Bartholomew

Elijah remains, after Handel's "Messiah", probably the best-loved and most performed choral work, especially in Britain where it became an instant success.  This is the first ever complete recording (albeit with some minor cuts), and in its drama, intensity and sheer vitality, as well as the quality of the singing, is still among the best. Made in 1930, this is the first CD re-issue.

playing time: disc A: 54:37 disc B: 37:57
direct sale price:  £15.99
audio  sample:  Baal Chorus (extract)
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Digitally remastered by Andrew Rose of pristine audio

 review extracts: for full reviews click here
“Although seventy-five years old, these mono recordings have been digitally remastered to reveal a thrilling  performance of this great dramatic work.” - John Pitt (New Classics)
"Full marks... Baillie is superb...Parry Jones makes a real impression. Williams is a magnificent colossus of an Elijah. I'd recommend this with pleasure" - Jonathan Woolf (MusicWeb)
“first rate standards of production and repertoire… astoundingly good quality” – David Patmore (Classic Record Collector)
“The ONLY recording of Elijah needed!” – GBH (a direct mail customer)
“Williams is a magnificent prophet… histrionically exciting and technically accomplished. Baillie is as always fresh-toned with pinpoint attack. The well trained choir is vital and dramatic, as is Robinson’s conducting. I am pleased to have had the opportunity to hear this set.” – John T. Hughes (International Record Review)
“moving and dramatic performance…restored with considerable care” – Radclife (American Record Guide)
“comes up surprisingly cleanly in this … dramatically paced reading.” - Tom Hall (Culture Magazine)