Handel Messiah

[DarkAngel]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkAngel Will have to check out newest 2CD Harnoncourt/Harmonia Mundi which is a SACD hybrid, released 11/1/05.........

Well got the newest Harnoncourt Messiah and it is already sold.......needless to say I was not impressed.

The positives are very good sound and economy of reduced price 2CD set. Live performance but virtually silent audience.

Unfortunately in other important areas is falls well short of best available. The orchestral work by Harnoncourt is surprisingly flat and often taken at slow almost lesuirely pace, no lift or bounce as required to be among the elite versions. I was really disappointed here after hearing Harnoncourts wonderfully lively animated Haydn Paris Symphonies, nothing like that here.

The soloists are only average for me, again the reference is set by Sandrine Piau and Andreas Scholl under Christie/DHM. Nothing really inspires me here although some of the choral work is nicely done. Overall just not good enough to be among the elite, don't even consider this till you own or have heard Pinnock/Archiv and Christie/DHM

 

[Bunnyears]

I have to agree about the Harnoncourt. I found it less than inspiring. If you want a Messiah with more leisurely tempos there are others that are much more satisfying.

 

[Bunnyears]

New Harnoncourt reviewed at classicstoday.com. Apparently they found it less than inspiring as well.

 

[DarkAngel]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bunnyears New Harnoncourt reviewed at classicstoday.com. Apparently they found it less than inspiring as well.

I find that review very much echos my impressions......and the reasons why I sold my copy.

I see that reviewer lists the Christie/DHM as one of his references, so we are on the same page.

 

[Bunnyears]

Vernier also cites The Sixteen/Koopman (Erato) and Boston Baroque/Pearlman (Telarc), and I don't have those recordings!

How is this possible? I think I need to go shopping again.

Perlman/Boston Baroque available at caiman for only 12.93

Bargain basement price!!!

But the Koopman Messiah seems to be OOP.

 

[Dominic]

I've still not yet heard the Christie/Harmonia Mundi one, so I'm not sure quite which page I'm on.

I've heard the Pinnock though, and rest assured I know I'm on that page!

 

[Bunnyears]

Christie/Les Arts Florissants (Harmonia Mundi) is formidable and incredibly beautiful. You should definitely pick it up if you have not already. The Trevor Pinnock/English Consort and Choir traversal of the work is an old standby that has withstood the test of time. Both are essential for a "collection" of Messiahs.

Gabrieli Consort Messiah just arrived. Will be listening tomorrow.

 

[Masolino]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bunnyears Christie/Les Arts Florissants (Harmonia Mundi) is formidable and incredibly beautiful. You should definitely pick it up if you have not already. The Trevor Pinnock/English Consort and Choir traversal of the work is an old standby that has withstood the test of time. Both are essential for a "collection" of Messiahs. Gabrieli Consort Messiah just arrived. Will be listening tomorrow.

I think you will love the McCreesh/ Gabrieli Consort Messiah. For one
thing, it is more genuinely dramatic (i.e. attention to the relationship
of word/music in Handel). And it uses the authentic Foundling
Hospital version rather than a modern "pastiche" which is the choice
of Pinnock (and likely of Christie).

Somehow I don't see the Pinnock being "authentic" at all,
beyond the use of such instruments. His phrasing is often rounded
with use of legato, tempi often on the leisurely, moderate side,
with a broad characterization of the music. Some choices in
soloists are puzzling, such as John Tomlinson who sings like
a Wagnerian bass which he is, but in Handel? Auger and von
Otter are not really "early music" singers either. Overall
it embodies a polished, "safe" approach to music with more
than a nod to the mainstream which probably contributes to its
longstanding popularity. my 2. cents.

I have not heard the Christie, but his (or rather the record
label's) claim that the recording is based on the 1741 original
version has been refuted. A gfhandel.org article sites the
first Malgoire recording as a more likely candidate to it,
even though the performance itself leaves quite a bit
to be desired.

 

[Bunnyears]

Have started part 2 of McCreesh Messiah and am liking what I hear.

 

[DarkAngel]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Masolino I think you will love the McCreesh/ Gabrieli Consort Messiah. For one thing, it is more genuinely dramatic (i.e. attention to the relationship of word/music in Handel). And it uses the authentic Foundling Hospital version rather than a modern "pastiche" which is the choice of Pinnock (and likely of Christie). Somehow I don't see the Pinnock being "authentic" at all, beyond the use of such instruments. His phrasing is often rounded with use of legato, tempi often on the leisurely, moderate side, with a broad characterization of the music.

I would have a hard time choosing between Pinnock and McCreesh if I could only keep one. Will have to revisit them since it has been some time since my messiah search was in progress and I was buying/listening to all these, but I don't remember Pinnock at any time lacking exciting well sprung rythms and joyous vitality overall (just like McCreesh) which is why I really like both .......perhaps Bunny with a fresh listen to McCreesh has some impressions on how he compares to Pinnock?

I don't really read/research what is an authentic vs hybrid etc performance, just pretty much listen and see what sounds good.......the Pinnock has a very good natural flow and lively rythm to it.

 

[Bunnyears]

Just first impressions, I would say that Pinnock's rhythms are slightly (very slightly) more leisurely. For sound quality, the Pinnock is fuller especially in the fortes. Interpretations seem very similar. I haven't had a chance to compare the soloists closely but in the Pinnock regardless of their background they seem to do very well in the Baroque style. I will take Masolino's word that the Gabrieli is a more authentic performance, but it would be all but impossible for me to make such a determination purely from listening to the cds. I will say that the first tenor aria, Comfort Ye is more stirring on the Pinnock than the McCreesh while the Behold the Lamb of God on the McCreesh is really knock your socks off.

Btw, I have the stereo edition of the McCreesh, not the SACD so I can't say how that one sounds.

 

[Bunnyears]

DarkAngel,

Have you seen this yet? It features Emma Kirkby and Handel, a combination that is of interest to you. As it is a Decca Eloquence offering, it is probably at budget price.

 

[fjf]

I've been listening recently to this version:

It is an old recording (I had it on vinyl before), but beautifully performed. Worth listening to.

 

[Shosta]

Just listened to the new Harnoncourt-Messiah, I feel surprised for the 'cameristic' aproach. And different from his old recording.
But I must say that at late night, at home, at medium level volume, with headphones I found his Hallelujah very 'sweet'.
In general every critics I read was bad about this record but I would like to add this link to the discussion. http://www.scena.org/columns/lebrech...L-messiah.html

 

[DarkAngel]

Just received 1CD Messiah highlights by Suzuki/BIS, full version very expensive and hard to find now.