Search - Sir Charles Mackerras, Elizabeth Harwood, Dame Janet Baker :: Handel: Messiah / Harwood, J. Baker, Esswood, Tear, Herincx; Mackerras

Invigorating!

Gapare Pacchierrotti | Canada | 01/07/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have to say, Messiah is one work I have sung in so often I nearly have come to hate it. I have sung in very Victorian Pompous versions, Mozart Orchestration versions, authentic versions with modern instruments, and authentic with Baroque instruments. I have to admit, this is not a work I would walk very far to see or hear again. I have taken part in so many authentic versions with their *Hooty* vibratoless nazal screeches, boys choirs, etc that I thought I would never find a recording that I could stomach.Well, was I surprised! I thoroughly enjoyed this recording. I loved the *new music* taken from Handel's many variations of the work ( and for those who don't know, he never did decide which version was his definitive version ). I loved the thoughtful reflection of the soloists, and the evident joy they are feeling singing the work. Like the other reviewer, this is a truly under-rated recording, and that really shouldn't be. It offers so much in the way of life, and so much in the way of expression. And if one thinks carefully about it, it is about a very moving and wonderful subject matter -- The Life of Christ. One is made to believe these performers actually care about That fact more than just doing Handel justice, and that is a nice thing to hear."

Some real singing!

alliel@mail.com | USA | 12/08/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This recording is my favorite of the "Messiah" recordings. Recorded in the late sixties at the beginning of the 'early music' movement, it boasts very fine English singers offering full-throated, bel canto, all-out singing. The soloists embellish thier lines, but so also do the orchestra and chorus with none of that 'hooty' straight tone sound the English choruses serve up all too often now. Included in the line up of solos are versions that are not often heard today: "Rejoice Greatly" in the bouncing version in triple time, "Their Sound is gone out" for tenor, and "How Beautiful are the Feet: for contralto/counter-tenor duet. Baroque ornamentation is elegant and expressive all-round. The orchestra is comprised of modern instruments who play with elegance and marvelous sensitivity. If you're looking for an out-of the way recording that is well worth listening to more than once, this underrated recording is for you!"

Satisfaction - and Afterglow

G. Ferguson | Portland, OR | 11/03/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'll be thrilled to have this performance of "Messiah" back. I used to have it on vinyl, and only today saw it on my Wish List, once again available on CD. I know that the Lamb edition, on which it is based, includes more than a few alternative versions of numbers (that skipping "Rejoice, rejoice...," for example), but, having heard many other esteemed recorded performances, this is the one that gives me the most pleasure. It has flourishes that my ear hasn't found elsewhere, and, not finding them, misses.

One of the first attempts at baroque scale (along with the Colin Davis) in modern recordings of this work, Mackerras makes it both fleet and luscious (and what could be more baroque than that?). I love original instrumentation, but I haven't found such a marriage of soloists and conductor and edition that flies like this one. The esteemed commenter who has 30 recordings has to fill me in on the details.

Until he/she does (or until I find this CD edition full of flaws in the transfer), I can recommend it without reservation.

Talk about covering your bets (even with a straight-flush!)!"