Savall’s view of the music feels unerringly right throughout, with tempos always judiciously chosen, and Haydn’s famous moments all vividly conveyed...Savall has assembled a fine cast of soloists, with Tilman Lichdi particularly impressive in the tenor role of Uriel. Despite reservations about the recording venue, this is a performance of Haydn’s great oratorio that can be warmly recommended.

Savall draws alert, colourful playing from his slender forces, though the acoustic tends to muffle the impact of brass and timpani in the big choruses.

The first chord almost made me jump from my chair, though since this represented the world in chaos, who could expect a trim pianissimo? The orchestral side of this new recording of Haydn’s oratorio “The Creation” brings many other delights, partly because Jordi Savall and his ensemble Le Concert de Nations are vigorous champions of period instruments; partly too, I suspect, because all were thrilled to be together, playing a work of such boundless optimism with the pandemic still raging.