Search - Haydn - The Creation / Schreier, Mathis, Pregardien, Pape, Scottish Chamber Orchestra on DVD

Fine Middle-of-the-Road Performance

J. Barry-Smith | Brisbane, Qld, Australia | 06/10/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This fine performance conducted by Peter Schreier, who in his other life as a tenor has no doubt sung this work dozens of times, is certainly very enjoyable. Tempi in this most joyful of all concert works are brisk without feeling hurried, and all three soloists are truly outstanding stylistically even if now and then Pregardien pushes a little in his more heroic music. The chorus seem to fall just short of this high level of achievement, the men seemingly overpowered by the women, but the brilliant playing of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra certainly makes up for any short fall on this account. The sound and picture quality are both excellent, with the camera direction at times inspired. Ultimately, however, this is not a hugely memorable performance, for that you will have to find the Bernstein performance on DG with Bavarian forces. It's not even close to being as stylish as this one, but when the overall effect is so overwhelming, who cares?"

GREAT CREATION -- in Switzerland!

Joseph L. Ponessa | Glendive MT USA | 03/20/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a very fine performance, and the sound and picture come across well by DVD standards. I would rather watch this than the Riccardo Muti laserdisc from Salzburg, or the Hogwood laserdisc from Gloucester. (However, I agree with the previous reviewer that the Bernstein laserdisc from Ottobeuren in Bavaria is the very best version on video.)
This program is great, but the packagers have failed to tell us the where and the when of the program. After a couple of years of searching I have finally learned that the performance took place at the Jesuit Church in Luzerne, Switzerland."