“The performance was sublime in its own right, with musical heroes at every turn and leadership from the podium whose depth and acuity transcended normal expectations.” – Musical America

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

Composer Felix Mendelssohn
Conductor Sir Antonio Pappano
Performers Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha, Dame Sarah Connolly, Allan Clayton, Gerald Finley, London Symphony Chorus, London Symphony Orchestra

Disc 1
Mendelssohn: Elijah (Part One)
1. Introduction. “As God the Lord of Israel liveth”
2. Overture
3. No 1, Chorus. “Help Lord! Wilt Thou quite destroy us?”
4. No 1, Recitative. “The depths afford no water!”
5. No 2, Duet with Chorus. “Lord, bow Thine ear to our pray’r!”
6. No 3, Recitative. “Ye people, rend your hearts, and not your garments”
7. No 4, Aria. “If with all your hearts ye truly seek Me”
8. No 5, Chorus. “Yet doth the Lord see it not”
9. No 6, Recitative. “Elijah! Get thee hence from here!”
10. No 7, Double Quartet. “For He shall give His angels to watch over thee”
11. No 8, Recitative, Aria and Duet. “What have I to do with thee”
12. No 9, Chorus. “Blessed are the men who fear Him”
13. No 10, Recitative with Chorus. “As God the Lord of Sabaoth liveth”
14. No 11, Chorus. “Baal, we cry to thee”
15. No 12, Recitative and Chorus. “Call him louder! For he is a God”
16. No 13, Recitative and Chorus. “Call him louder! He heareth not”
17. No 14, Aria. “Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel”
18. No 15, Quartet. “Cast thy burden upon the Lord”
19. No 16, Recitative and Chorus. “O Thou, who makest Thine angels spirits”
20. No 17, Aria. “Is not His word like a fire”
21. No 18, Arioso. “Woe, woe unto them who forsake Him!”
22. No 19, Recitative and Chorus. “O man of God, help Thy people!”
23. No 20, Chorus. “Thanks be to God”

Disc 2
Mendelssohn: Elijah (Part Two)
1. No 21, Aria, Recitative and Aria. “Hear ye, Israel!” – “Thus saith the Lord” – “I am He that comforteth”
2. No 22, Chorus. “Be not afraid, saith God the Lord”
3. No 23, Recitative and Chorus. “The Lord hath exalted thee from among the people”
4. No 24, Chorus. “Woe to him! He shall perish”
5. No 25, Recitative. “Man of God, now let me words by precious in thy sight!”
6. No 26, Aria. “It is enough! O Lord, now take away my life”
7. No 27, Recitative. “See, now he sleepeth beneath a juniper tree in the desert!”
8. No 28, Trio. “Lift thine eyes, O lift thine eyes to the mountains”
9. No 29, Chorus. “He, watching over Israel, slumbers not, nor sleeps”
10. No 30, Recitative. “Arise, Elijah”
11. No 31, Aria. “O rest in the Lord, and wait for Him”
12. No 32, Chorus. “He that shall endure to the end”
13. No 33, Recitative. “Night falleth round me, O Lord!”
14. No 34, Chorus. “Behold, God the Lord”
15. No 35, Recitative and Quartet with Chorus. “Above Him stood the Seraphim” –
“Holy, holy, holy is God the Lord”
16. No 36, Chorus and Recitative. “Go, return upon thy way”
17. No 37, Arioso. “For the mountains shall depart”
18. No 38, Chorus. “Then did Elijah the prophet break forth like a fire”
19. No 39, Aria. “Then shall the righteous shine”
20. No 40, Recitative. “Behold, God hath sent Elijah the prophet”
21. No 41, Chorus. “But the Lord hath awakened one this night”
22. No 41, Quartet. “O come ev’ry one that thirsteth”
23. No 42, Final Chorus. “And then shall your light break forth”

Release Date 4 October 2024
LSO0898 | 0822231189824
LSO0898-D | 0822231189862

Producer Stephen Johns
Engineers Classic Sound Ltd
Recorded 28 & 31 January 2024, in the Barbican Hall, London

Booklet in English, French & German

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