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Features:
Box set
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 5.0 / 5.0
Yes, Yes, Yes! This is more like it. I bought the Harry Christopher/Sixteen version and was left unmoved by it. This however, was sublime - fantastic soloists, an orchestra and chorus that sounded as if they meant it, a wonderful range of emotion beautifully realised. To me this is what a performance of the Messiah should sound like. The other reviewers got this one spot-on. I can only 'rejoice greatly' for such a recording.
vigorously dramatic, and a typical recording, but not clear In the same way that Naxos' New College Oxford recording of "Messiah" is an example of the English Cathedral tradition, this recording is a great sample of the choral society tradition. Although the recording includes some huge names from the world of classical music, I was not over-enthralled by the recording as a whole. The age of the recording (1966) is made obvious in the quality of sound, and the entire ensemble is too big to hear the words properly, and of course this is reflected in the acoustic. The... more info
To correct previous reviews This recording was made in 1966, so is all the more remarkable, considering the plethera of recordings to date. John Wakefield is an unsual choice, with a suitable heroic ring to the voice. John Shirley-Quirk, as ever, brilliant, with Helen Watts a smooth and sonorous Contralto. The final soloist, Heather Harper is fresh and brilliant of sound. The whole direction by Sir Colin Davis, with the LSO is captivating. Do not miss this chance to own.
The best recording to date Don't be put off by the fact that the original recording was made in the 1980s. It's been re-engineered and is simply top notch! This is by far the best recording I've ever come across. The fact that it's on a Phillips label doesn't hurt either. The orchestra (LSO)is just right--not too heavy, not too light, and the interpretations are superb. Can't go wrong with the label, the orchestra, or the composer.
Tracks:
Symphony - London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis
1. Accompagnato: Comfort ye, My people - John Wakefield, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis
2. Air: Ev'ry Valley shall be exalted - John Wakefield, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis
3. Chorus: And the glory of the Lord - London Symphony Chorus, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis
4. Accompagnato: Thus saith the Lord - John Shirley-Quirk, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis
5. Air: "But who may abide the day of his coming" - Helen Watts, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis
6. Chorus: And He shall purify the sons of Levi - London Symphony Chorus, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis
7. Recit: Behold, a Virgin shall conceive 8. Aria:O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion 9. Coro - Helen Watts, London Symphony Chorus, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis
10. Accompagnato: For behold, darkness shall cover the earth 11. Aria: The people that walked in darkness - John Shirley-Quirk, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis
12. Chorus: "For unto us a Child is born" - London Symphony Chorus, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis
13. Pifa (Pastoral Symphony) - London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis
14. Recitative: There were shepherds - Accompagnato: And lo, the angel of the Lord - Recitative: And the angel said unto them - Accompagnato: And suddenly - Heather Harper, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis
15. Chorus: Glory to God in the highest - London Symphony Chorus, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis
16. Air: Rejoice greatly, o daughter of Zion - Heather Harper, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis
17a. Recitative: Then shall the eyes of the blind - Helen Watts, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis
18a. Duet: He shall feed his flock - Heather Harper, Helen Watts, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis
