Gramophone Disc of the Month - September 2012
"Sarah Connolly's "O Lord, whose mercies numberless" is as quietly rapturous as anyone other than the enraged Saul could desire."
"Christopher Purves charms, broods, fumes implacably, plots villainously and confronts his doom vividly in the manner of a Shakespearean tragedian."
"The Sixteen's first-class account of Saul is magnificent in every way"
"Sarah Connolly's David is in a class of its own. Her wonderfully refined and sensitive singing, radiated with intense musicality and intelligence, made the aria 'O Lord whose mercies numberless' a profoundly moving meditation, which must stand as one of Handel's most ardent professions of Christian faith." Rupert Christiansen, Daily Telegraph (on The Sixteen's performance of Saul at The Barbican) Renowned for their Handel interpretations, Harry Christophers and his award-winning choir, The Sixteen, add to their glittering catalogue of Handel discs with this new recording of Saul. In his biblical oratorio, Saul, Handel wrote an epic work of great and noble drama and of thrilling musical inventiveness. Saul represents Handel's first proper foray into oratorio and it is a masterpiece full of great and magical moments. It is bursting with exceptional music, extraordinary orchestration (replete with trombones, deep-sounding drum and perky carillon), extended choruses both profound and ebullient, symphonies, concerto movements for organ, recitatives which explore the varying moods of the characters, and the most stunning arias. Renowned for their Handel interpretations, Harry Christophers and his award-winning choir, The Sixteen, add to their glittering catalogue of Handel discs with this new recording of Saul. In his biblical oratorio, Saul, Handel wrote an epic work of great and noble drama and of thrilling musical inventiveness. Saul represents Handel's first proper foray into oratorio and it is a masterpiece full of great and magical moments. It is bursting with exceptional music, extraordinary orchestration (replete with trombones, deep-sounding drum and perky carillon), extended choruses both profound and ebullient, symphonies, concerto movements for organ, recitatives which explore the varying moods of the characters, and the most stunning arias.