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Mendelssohn: Elijah - Pappano

Mendelssohn: Elijah - Pappano

LSO Live  LSO0898 (2 discs)

Stereo/Multichannel

Classical - Vocal


Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha (soprano)
Sarah Connolly (mezzo-soprano)
Allan Clayton (tenor)
Gerald Finley (bass)
London Symphony Chorus
London Symphony Orchestra
Antonio Pappano (conductor)


LSO Live marks the beginning of its 25th anniversary year with the release of Mendelssohn’s Elijah, recorded live in concert with Sir Antonio Pappano earlier this year.

From its first performance, Elijah received roof-raising applause. It’s one of the three greatest oratorios in musical history, bringing the sacred to life in glorious song. The life of the Biblical prophet is told in a series of dramatic episodes. We follow the fortunes of the steadfast, open-hearted Elijah, and encounter ministering angels and the vengeful queen Jezebel.

The London Symphony Chorus and four electrifying soloists give voice to the oratorio in English, as in its first premiere. Gerald Finley breathes life into the role of Elijah, and the Orchestra ramps up the drama without losing sight of the stillness at the heart of the storm.

“I hope the audience are moved by the beauty of the music, enjoy exploring their imagination and take away the message that you are not alone.”
– Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha, soprano

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Comment by Marcus DiBenedetto - October 10, 2024 (1 of 1)

If you enjoy Oratorios, as I do, this is an unmissable add to your collection. Listeners should read the liner notes. It gives you important insights into the composition as well as why Mendelsohn was the perfect choice for composer. Indeed, at its initial performance audiences raved about it and demanded repeat performances. There are more "perfect" choices made in this recording. Pappano (LSO Chief Conductor Designate) was a great choice as he is an accomplished opera conductor. The soloists are a star studded cast and each of them delivers! The LSO and chorus are at the top of their game. I have many oratorios in my collection, for example, Berlioz: La Damnation de Faust - Rattle and Honegger: Jeanne d'Arc au bûcher - Denève and Elgar: The Dream of Gerontius - Davis. Elijah is now a great addition for me. I downloaded it from Native DSD in 24 bit DXD. Soundstage is broad and deep (as necessary for a large chorus). While this is an "audience" perspective, I found my rear surrounds are much more engaged and added superb overall presence.

John Rhodes, Seen and Heard International, attended the "live" concert. He writes, "The splendid and huge London Symphony Chorus were on form, impeccable dynamics very well controlled throughout, words clear, most entries exact. ...The orchestra were solid across the board. An uplifting Elijah to remember."

John Quinn, MusicWeb International, writes: "Sir Antonio Pappano is clearly one of those conductors who relishes the dramatic aspect of Mendelssohn’s masterpiece and in the London Symphony Chorus – and his soloists – he has just the singers to make the most of the opportunities that the score presents. ...When you listen to this performance I think you will feel as I do that all the performers – and I include the orchestra in this – have definitely told the story of the prophet Elijah and have done so in vivid terms. It’s a tremendous performance, one of the best I’ve heard on disc."

Sound engineers Jonathan Stokes, Neil Hutchinson (Classic Sound) provide you with superb sound.

Here is a YouTube clip of the performance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiEcoC5fQVI

Highly recommended

Marcus DiBenedetto
Las Vegas, NV