Recorded at 2008 Grand River Baroque Festival and utilizing the
Aradia Ensemble -- a group consisting of an orchestra of 27 players and a choir of 28 singers -- this performance is light but powerful, and lyrical but dramatic.
Kevin Mallon favors quicker tempos but still builds to immense climaxes in the concluding choirs. Though predominantly a virtuoso choral work, the oratorio is also inherently dramatic, and
Mallon keeps his eye on that aspect throughout. The seven plagues of Egypt depicted in Part Two are particularly effective. And though the climaxes are immense,
Mallon still gives space for the soloists drawn from the chorus to show off their talents in the airs and recitatives. Tenor
Bud Roach and soprano Jennie Such are particularly effective in their pair of airs in Part Three.
Mallon's performance may not rank as high as such classic recordings as the buoyant
Gardiner and the monumental
Cleobury. By itself, however,
Mallon and the
Aradia Ensemble's Israel in Egypt is perfectly acceptable. Naxos' live digital sound is very bright and very atmospheric, but not very vivid.