This is basically the same performance as one already released on a sonically superior Alia Vox CD, and it’s wonderful, orchestrally speaking. Le Concert des Nations under Jordi Savall plays the music with devotion and intensity at aptly flowing tempos. Like the CD, there are spoken introductions to each of the sonatas that I couldn’t care less about. I ignored them listening to the CD, and I edited them out transferring the performance to my iPod. You may well want to do the same. The whole point of playing the original orchestral version (as opposed to that with chorus) is to hear one of Haydn’s greatest orchestral works. If we need words, then Haydn has supplied them in the work’s oratorio version. Anything else is just annoying.
Visually, the most interesting thing about this production is the ability to observe details of the actual performance, such as the string players’ use of vibrato; it’s not a lot, and not always where it should be, but at least it’s there. Other visuals include very attractive scenes of Cadiz, site of the Church of Santa Cueva where the work was first performed (and from whence this performance derives). There’s also a religious procession that I found extremely creepy–like something out of the Inquisition (the real one, not Mel Brooks’)–and somewhat contrary to the music’s point, which is to humanize and make emotionally affecting an almost unfathomably cruel historical event. But then, I find all the spirituality I need in Haydn’s music–and happily, this performance speaks for itself. If the concept appeals, by all means check out this DVD; otherwise, just get the CD.
