Haydn:The Seasons, 2 CD Set

Gramophone Magazine, Editor's Choice - October 2009

Haydn’s Oratorio The Seasons, written in four parts to reflect the seasonal division of the year, was composed following the success of The Creation, and is similar in scale and format. It has not yet become quite so well-known as The Creation, but this new live recording from Styriarte Festival in Graz, which is released in celebration of Haydn’s 200th anniversary in 2009, will certainly draw more attention to the work. Here, Nikolaus Harnoncourt joins forces with the Concentus Musicus Vienna, with the Arnold Schoenberg Chor Wien and an outstanding solo cast - Genia Kühmeier – soprano, Werner Güra – tenor and Christian Gerhaher – baritone.