Hector Berlioz
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L'ENFANCE DU CHRIST
Jean Rigby, Alastair Miles, Gerald Finley
John Aler, Gwynne Howell
Corydon Singers and Orchestra
St. Paul's Cathedral Choristers
dir : Matthew Best
Hyperion CDA66991/2 (2 stereo CDs), [P] 1995
Recorded London, October 1994
FLAC image files, cuesheets, logs, scans
Berlioz held traditional religion in contempt, but something of the biblical story of Herod’s massacre of the innocents and the Holy Family’s flight into Egypt seems to have struck a chord and resulted in one of his most beautiful works. Indeed, Berlioz compared his ‘trilogie sacrée’ to the illuminations in medieval missals: he saw it as an aid to contemplative devotion. L’Enfance du Christ is one of Berlioz’s most popular and enduring works. The renowned Corydon Singers and Corydon Orchestra, under their conductor and founder Matthew Best, are joined by a first-class team of soloists.
![]()
L'ENFANCE DU CHRIST
Jean Rigby, Alastair Miles, Gerald Finley
John Aler, Gwynne Howell
Corydon Singers and Orchestra
St. Paul's Cathedral Choristers
dir : Matthew Best
Hyperion CDA66991/2 (2 stereo CDs), [P] 1995
Recorded London, October 1994
FLAC image files, cuesheets, logs, scans
Berlioz held traditional religion in contempt, but something of the biblical story of Herod’s massacre of the innocents and the Holy Family’s flight into Egypt seems to have struck a chord and resulted in one of his most beautiful works. Indeed, Berlioz compared his ‘trilogie sacrée’ to the illuminations in medieval missals: he saw it as an aid to contemplative devotion. L’Enfance du Christ is one of Berlioz’s most popular and enduring works. The renowned Corydon Singers and Corydon Orchestra, under their conductor and founder Matthew Best, are joined by a first-class team of soloists.
‘This new recording of Berlioz's appealing work well stands comparison with its much-praised predecessors … a new wonder of a score on each hearing, and rarely more impressive than here … sonically it is a real gem, a superbly focused, natural and musical balance in which everything feels right’ (Gramophone)
‘The choir's contribution is a tour de force of expressiveness, discipline and meticulous attention to detail … an engagingly winsome interpretation which many will find profoundly moving’ (Choir & Organ)
‘The recording is surely the best available’ (BBC Music Magazine)
‘No previous recording has moved me like this one—magical—heavenly’ (The Independent)
‘An ideal choice for those who want an imaginative view and a superb modern recording’ (The Penguin Guide to Compact Discs)
‘An engaging and moving recording with superb singing from soloists Alastair Miles, Jean Rigby and Gerald Finley’ (Classic FM Magazine)
‘Luminous Berlioz, with some superb soloists’ (Classic CD)
‘Best has just the right ideas with this work … the tale is turned into a living story. The solo roles, minor as well as major, are sung with distinction. I can warmly recommend it to you’ (Organists' Review)
‘Another high recommendation’ (In Tune, Japan)
«Imprescindible» (Ritmo, Spain)