Walton: Belshazzar's Feast (1995)

There are good reasons for considering William Walton's oratorio Belshazzar's Feast his masterpiece. Although relatively short in duration, it is massively scored for baritone soloist, gargantuan mixed choir, immense orchestra and two off-stage brass bands. But it is more merely than loud: it treats a great subject -- hubris and nemesis -- with strength and sensitivity; it unites the English choral tradition going back to Handel with Walton's individual modernity; it was instantly acclaimed at its premiere and has remained ... Read More

There are good reasons for considering William Walton's oratorio Belshazzar's Feast his masterpiece. Although relatively short in duration, it is massively scored for baritone soloist, gargantuan mixed choir, immense orchestra and two off-stage brass bands. But it is more merely than loud: it treats a great subject -- hubris and nemesis -- with strength and sensitivity; it unites the English choral tradition going back to Handel with Walton's individual modernity; it was instantly acclaimed at its premiere and has remained a staple of the choral repertoire ever since. And, mostly, it's tremendously exciting and even deeply affecting.Andrew Litton's recording with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and Chorus and baritone Bryn Terfel just about confirms the work's stature. In almost every way that matters, Litton's performance is dead-on. He maneuvers his forces through the complex score with aplomb. He obtains superb playing from the orchestra and even more superb singing from the chorus. Bryn Terfel,... Read Less