A bit better than average Messiah recording
Morosoph | 06/10/2000
(3 out of 5 stars)
"This recording of Messiah done by Helmuth Rilling and the Oregon Bach Festival for Hanssler Classic is a little bit better than the average "new" recording of the work. The soloists all sing well, the orchestra plays well too. The problem I had with this recording is the fact that the chorus sings the work with a little too much precision. There is not quite enough of the drama or passion here that Messiah requires. The whole thing runs like a well oiled machine, or a quartz watch. This is the second recording of Messiah that Helmuth Rilling has done, the other is the Mozart arraingment sung in German also recorded for Hanssler Classics. This recording would make a good additional one to have, but I don't think I would make it a first choice, unless you are studying about the work or want to learn to sing it."
Disappointing
Robert Sherman | Gaithrsburg MD | 05/15/2002
(2 out of 5 stars)
"Having been thrilled by some of Rilling's Bach, I had great hopes for this recording. But I'm disappointed. the choral singing is too detached and jerky to be enjoyable, with the exception of "Lift Up Your Heads" which is the best I've heard. The male singers aren't bad, but Quasthoff's English too often goes just a shade off color."