Joseph Haydn: Il Ritorno di Tobia on 3 CDs

Although Haydn's place in the history of the oratorio has been secured by his great vocal masterpieces The Creation (Naxos 8.557380-81) and The Seasons (8.557600-01), his first oratorio, Il ritorno di Tobia (The Return of Tobias), is among the better-kept secrets of music history. The Italian libretto deals with the return of Tobias and the curing of his blind father, an exceptionally popular story in eighteenth century Vienna. With its vivid portrayal of the protagonists' emotional turmoil, achieved largely through wide-ranging arias of great virtuosity, Il ritorno di Tobia is a work of considerable beauty and dramatic impact. This recording includes the two magnificent choruses Ah gran Dio! and Svanisce in un momento written for a performance of Tobia in 1784.

Reviews

FonoForum 02/08: "Nach den bisher einzigen Aufnahmen des "Tobia" von Ferenc Szekeres (1975) und Antal Dorati (1979) wirkt die von Andreas Spering wie eine Offenbarung.​ Dem behaglichen Papa-Haydn-Klischee geht es hier umstandslos an den Kragen.​ Spering lässt den "Tobia" regelrecht explodieren.​ Da darf Haydn endlich einmal eminenter Ausdrucksmusiker sein.​ Da werden auch die vielfältigen Möglichkeiten, die Haydn zur Situations- und Charakterschilderung anbietet, einmal ernst genommen.​ Spering scheut nicht vor Extremen zurück: Die energischen, schnellen Stücke haben echtes Brio, die stilleren dürfen dennoch in aller Ruhe ausschwingen.​"