Stravinsky: Oedipus Rex, Apollon musagete

Sir John Eliot Gardiner conducts the LSO on this his first release for LSO Live, Stravinsky’s 'Oedipus Rex' and 'Apollon musagète'. Also featured on the release are the gentlemen of the Monteverdi Choir, considered one of the world’s leading choirs, and a mix of international and home-grown soloists including Jennifer Johnston and Stuart Skelton. French actress Fanny Ardant, who has appeared in more than 50 motion pictures, takes the rôle of narrator.
'Oedipus Rex' and 'Apollon musagète' are both ancient Greek-themed works by Stravinsky. The rich string harmonies and textures in the ballet score of 'Apollon musagète' are pleasantly mesmerising, expressive and calmly indulgent. In contrast, the dramatic and hauntingly compelling opera-oratorio 'Oedipus Rex' is composed of an assemblage of monumental and powerful sounds, such as playful woodwinds, robust brass and agile strings, with magnificent vocals from the choir and soloists.
Sir John Eliot Gardiner is touring a programme of Mendelssohn Symphonies with the LSO to France and Switzerland during January and March, after which the orchestra head, with Daniel Harding, to the Far East. Gardiner's Monteverdi Choir celebrate their 50th anniversary in 2014 in March with concerts in France and Spain, performing Monteverdi’s 'Vespers'.