An interesting live
performance. Maybe the most eyebrow-raising
part of it is the use of a male soprano
(note, not counter-tenor) in the form
of Max Cencic. An ex-member of the Vienna
Boys' Choir (1986-92), the booklet explains
that, 'by reason of his unusual vocal
technique (he) retained his soprano
voice and adopted the rare career of
a sopranist'. He certainly has the power
in the higher reaches, coping well when
pitted against choir and orchestra.
Yet his vibrato is rather bleaty and
can grate at times; personally I felt
this as early as his Part One aria,
'Nun beut die Flur das frische Grün'.
His lower jaw wobble becomes rather
off-putting after a while - particularly
his aria that opens Part 2, 'Auf starkem
Fittiche schwinget sich der Adler stolz'.
Yet he blends exceptionally well with
his colleagues when there is an ensemble
of soloists and he can negotiate semiquavers
with superhuman ease.
The weakest of the
soloists is perhaps the Raphael/Adam,
the bass Ernst Jankowitsch. Age seems
to have weakened his lower register,
although in fairness not his musicality
and his experience more than compensates
for the few shortcomings. Christan Bauer
(Uriel) is an excellent tenor while
Eva (Gertraud Schmid) despite some messiness
in runs, is precise and direct in expression.
The orchestra under
Marschik enjoys Haydn's imaginative
and sometimes quirky scoring, particularly
the more earthy portions. I include
the initial 'Representation of Chaos'
in this. The chorus - boys’ voices on
top of course - is excellently committed.
There is an accompanying
feature, a 28-minute documentary that
takes us through the Creation day by
day. It is lavishly and often beautifully
illustrated in its chosen biblical painting.
Those new to this work could do worse
than to watch this prior to the performance.
Of the performance,
the booklet gives the date details above,
but I should point out that the DVD
claims this to be the performance on
the 26th only - as part of
the Wiener Festwochen. Subtitles are
mostly fine, the occasional slip notwithstanding
('ravish d'earth' for example).
Recommended as a generally
spirited account, but bear in mind the
reservations above.
Colin Clarke
for
details
Vienna Boys Choir; Chorus Viennensis 
CAPRICCIO
93 507 [104'00] 
