Beethoven: Der Glorreiche Augenblick; Choral Fantasia – review

Beethoven's cantata Der Glorreiche Augenblick was first performed in 1814, and the "glorious moment" it celebrates was the opening of the Congress of Vienna, the aim of which was to redraw the map of Europe after the Napoleonic wars. The text is messy, and its underlying vision of Hapsburg Austria donning its "imperial mantle" to safeguard European freedom nowadays seems suspect. The score, however, is by no means negligible: there are strong links with Fidelio, as well as flashes forward to the Ninth Symphony and Missa Solemnis. After years in obscurity, it was successfully revived by Hilary Davan Wetton , the Royal Philharmonic and the City of London Choir in 2010. Their recording, made a year later, is thrill-a-minute stuff that draws you in and sweeps away any scruples you may have. The filler is the Choral Fantasia with Leon McCawley as piano soloist, done in a very grand manner, though also with great panache.