Vanguard has an excellent catalog of Handel oratorios, ably conducted and often very well sung by the cream of English oratorio singers--in this case with Heather Harper and John Shirley-Quirk among them. As far as the per... more »formance as a whole goes, however, it must inevitably yield before more modern versions, whether on period instruments or not, which play the work complete and have a more lively and informed approach to Baroque performance practice. Fans of the singers need not hesitate, though. --David Hurwitz« less
Vanguard has an excellent catalog of Handel oratorios, ably conducted and often very well sung by the cream of English oratorio singers--in this case with Heather Harper and John Shirley-Quirk among them. As far as the performance as a whole goes, however, it must inevitably yield before more modern versions, whether on period instruments or not, which play the work complete and have a more lively and informed approach to Baroque performance practice. Fans of the singers need not hesitate, though. --David Hurwitz
Francisco J. Muñoz | Santa Cruz, Bolivia | 05/18/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Este Oratorio de Handel, es sin lugar a dudas es una de sus obras mayores, de una belleza extraordinaria de principio a fin. Fascinante experiencia el de escucharlo completo, hasta llegar en un estado de éxtasis, en el momento que los coros cantan "Sing Unto God" y su divino "Hallelujah-Amen". La interpretación de Johannes Somary es inspirada, brillante, manteniendo una dinámica estupenda durante toda la partitura. La labor de los solistas es SOBERBIA!!! El Sonido de Vanguard excelente, tal vez bajar un poco los altos de su amplificador. 100% recomendado."
A Great Performance, But The Recording Could Be Better
Timothy Dougal | Madison, Wi United States | 12/21/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This is a magnificent interpretation and performance, as well as a generous integration of material from various peforming versions Handel used. The soloists are wonderful. A particular pleasure of 'Judas' is the number of gorgeous duets for the soprano and alto (one with chorus). My only complaints are that the sound is a little tight, if warm, and there are miscellaneous thumps audible on the good headphones. Still, this is an excellent choice of what is possibly the only Hanukkah oratorio."
Excellent
Brian J. Fegely | Philadelphia PA USA | 11/27/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I am not a technical-musiker, so have no expert opinions, but this is a tight, brilliant performance of the oratorio."
"Sweet flow the strains"
Lorenzo Moog | Seattle, WA USA | 11/28/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Here is a beautiful oratorio from Handel's late period (prima 1747) that has come to be associated, by many, with the festival of Channukah primarily from the aria "Father of heaven! from thy eternal throne" in Act 3 which references "this Feast of Lights" and any festival would be fortunate to have this beautiful music assigned to it.
This is a 2CD set with good liner notes and libretto in English with the English Chamber Orchestra under the direction of Johannes Somary. He brings a sure hand to this interpretation with a fine cast of singers and the Amor Artis Chorale.
This is a big, sweeping oratorio that rises in hope and falls in despair as the Israelites taste both defeats and victories and is a work populated with some of Handels most sensitive writing. This was written towards the end of his career and he brings to fore all of the powers he had accumulated in his long years of composing. The music has great dramatic power and is beautifully expressed by all of the singers. Heather Harper (Israelite Woman) and Helen Watts (Israelite Man) are superbly paired as heard in the duet from Act 3, "Oh lovely peace" and also (with Chorus) in "Zion her hand shall raise" . Alexander Young (Judas Maccabeus) and John Shirley-Quirk(Simon) both turn in great performances as does the Chorus (whom Handel employs masterfully). This a wonderful piece to pair with "Messiah" for the winter holidays, both of them triumphant against the increasing darkness and cold. Turn up the volume and get ready to celebrate! Highly Recommended."