Saul

Saul is one of Handel's most dramatic and touching oratorios. Saul's insane jealousy and its tragic results are movingly told, with rich characterizations for the main characters and some of the composer's most colorful music. The addition of a carillon is exotic and flavorful; the trumpets and drums are exciting. McCreesh underlines the drama with his orchestra's crisp attacks and the chorus has real personality, whether in the songs of praise or the laments. Neil Davies' rich bass is remarkably expressive and fluid as Saul, while countertenor Andreas Scholl is triumphant as David; his tone is rich and full, capable of expressing anger, grief, loyalty. Mark Padmore uses his lovely, pliant tenor with warmth as Jonathan, and Susan Gritton's Merab is stunning. The rest of the cast is as emotionally involved as they are musically, which is to say, magnificently. John Eliot Gardiner's recording on Philips is excellent too, but this one beats it by a slim margin. --Robert Levine