Rattle conducts Christ on the Mount of Olives

Christ on the Mount of Olives is a rarely heard masterpiece and Beethoven’s only oratorio.

In the words of Sir Simon Rattle, Beethoven is “absolutely inescapable”, especially in the year of his 250th anniversary. Nevertheless, Christ on the Mount of Olives is a rarely heard masterpiece and Beethoven’s only oratorio, which combines the emotive force of the composer’s later Missa Solemnis with the theatre of a Bach Passion. With orchestra, chorus and soloists, it tells the story of Jesus’ prayer and arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane.

“What Rattle made clear is that the music is full of life. It is hard to imagine this performance being bettered.” (Financial Times)

Original title Rattle conducts Christ on the Mount of Olives
Genre Vocal
Recording location Barbican Hall, London, February 2020
Duration 48 mins
Production Company LSO, C Major Entertainment
Director Kriss Russman
Composer Ludwig van Beethoven
Orchestra / Band London Symphony Orchestra
Conductor Sir Simon Rattle
Choir London Symphony Chorus
Chorus Master Simon Halsey
Soloist Elsa Dreisig, Pavol Breslik, David Soar