Search - Carl Nielsen, Jascha Horenstein, Danmarks Radiosymfoniorkester :: Nielsen: Saul & David

Fine Example of Nielsen at his best

R. Ashley | New Jersey | 05/24/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I don't listen to much opera, rather, I approached this recording as a Nielsen completist looking to round out my collection. This fine opera (four acts on 2 CDs) is a good example of Nielsen in the amiable style of his middle years (circa Symphonies 2 and 3). Nice clean melodic lines. Curiously, this performance is in English. Though I still can't understand too much of the text, It has the sound of a biblical oratorio.I am very glad somebody took this little gem out of the vaults. For 10 bucks it is a nice neat little package, though there is no libbretto. Sonics are good for the early 70's but not outstanding.Also of note, this is one of Jascha Horenstein's last recordings."

Nielsen's Saul & David is an underrated gem

Steven Muni | Sutter Creek, CA USA | 07/03/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I admit to a strong bias in favor of this opera, as I sang the very small role of the Captain of Saul's bodyguard in the U.K. premiere of the opera, done by the University of London in 1977--the first time the opera had been performed outside of Scandinavia, I believe.
This recording is excellent, with Christov in fine voice--even if he does sound a little like Bela Lugosi on the operatic stage. And Elizabeth Soderstrom is positively lyrical.
The music is very easy to listen to, with wonderful lengthy orchestral passages and lush harmonies. Note the walking bass line under Samuel's final aria, when he's called back from the dead by the Witch of Endor. The ballet celebrating David's victory over Goliath has tremendously expansive use of brass.
This opera also makes great use of the chorus, almost as another character in the piece. Although the opera is fairly standard repertoire in Denmark, I've never understood why this opera isn't performed more often in the international arena."

A Biblical Tragedy

I. Szanto | Budapest, Hungary | 03/15/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In this first of Nielsen's two operas a darker tone prevails than in most of his other music. But, as always, the score brings the listener around an amazingly rich and varied musical landscape, from the idyllic to the tragical. Christoff's curious English happily adds to the archaic setting."