Lively Live Recording

The Creation is presented here in all its glory.

Composer: Haydn
Repertoire: The Creation
Artists: Miah Persson (soprano), Topi Lehtipuu (tenor), et al., Salzburg Mozarteum/Bolton
Rating: 4/5

Genre: Vocal
Label: OEHMS OC 609

Judging from her tremendous performance here, the rise and rise of Swedish soprano Miah Persson shows no signs of slowing. But she’s far from the only star on this lively live recording of Haydn’s great oratorio; both the young Finnish tenor Topi Lehtipuu and British baritone David Wilson-Johnson are excellent too. Ivor Bolton responds to the details of the score with painterly exuberance and draws some luscious sounds from his Salzburg orchestra. The crisp and accurate choir should have been recorded with more detail, but it’s the main flaw in an otherwise great recording.