CAMILLE SAINT-SAËNS (1835-1921): Le Déluge for Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra, Op. 45, Danse Bacchanal from Samson et Delilah, Op. 47, Orient et Occident, Op. 25.

Description: The 45-minute oratorio of 1875 is hardly ever recorded except for its prelude, so this is a sure grab for French repertoire collectors. Really more of a symphonic poem with choral and, less often, solo recitative-style commentary, its text (taken from Genesis 6-9) provides information upon which the orchestra and chorus comment. Very vivid flood scene, quite lovely aftermath as the waters recede and rainbow comes out and the whole thing is wrapped up in a big fugue. French-German texts. Isabelle-Müller-Cant (soprano), Carolin Strecker (alto), Daniel Schreiber (tenor), Philip Niederberger (bass), Stuttgart Gedächtniskirche Figuralchor, Württembergische Philharmonie Reutlingen; Ola Rudner, Alexander Burda (Le Déluge). SACD hybrid.