Handel Messiah

[PSmith08]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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

Of my three, I prefer Harnoncourt to Hogwood - but there are issues with both. Harnoncourt makes some odd choices (like the "Hallelujah") in his tempi and his adjustments thereof. It's OK. I don't understand why they released this performance, other than to cash in on the Christmas sales. Harnoncourt could do better. However, this off-and-on style of his is nothing new.

I still prefer Gardiner to all others.

 

[FalconP]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Masolino Also representing the 1754 Foundling Hospital version of the oratiorio, like Hogwood's and McCreesh's recordings, but not yet mentioned here is the Andrew Parrott/ Taverner Choir and Players account on Virigin Verita. IMO every bit as decent and "envelope pushing" as Suzuki on BIS and really more English-sounding. Recently reissued with another Handel's chorus-heavy oratorio, the Isreal in Egypt, for ultra-cheap...worth trying!

Hi Masolino,

Does this set come with sung texts? Saw it in the used store and I'm interested.

 

[fjf]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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

A few parts are too slow, but in general it is VERY enjoyable. I like it a lot better than the Beecham's recording.

 

[Bunnyears]

Quote:

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

DarkAngel,

Please let us know how Suzuki compares to Christie, McCreesh, Pinnock, et al. I have his recording of Bach Overtures which is quite good.

 

[papy]

Hi all,

I have the version with Neville Mariner and the Academy & Chorus of St Martin in the Fields (250th Anniversary performance in Dublin). I bought this one on DVD (Philips)...and Frankly i am not sure what to make of it...this is the first version of the Messiah that i have so I don't know if my reservation is down to the piece itself or the performance.

The SQ and Music are fine, but the piece as a whole slightly uninvolving : so far i only reached the end of the 1st part, and that was a struggle in itself. I am not too keen on the male soloists :
- Michael Chance (alto)
- Jerry Hadley (tenor)
- Robert Lloyd (Bass).

The tenor seems under par...and the singing of the bass is really bugging me (lots of uneveneness ? yet again, is that the piece itself ?...what do i know lol)...Mariner doesn't catch your eye, he seems to be holding back, "wooden" in a way...Did any of you have this version, and maybe could shed some light on it ?

 

[Masolino]

Quote:

Originally Posted by FalconP Hi Masolino, Does this set come with sung texts? Saw it in the used store and I'm interested.

Nope...but these oratorio recordings also appear as 2 Virgin Verita 2X
sets which have texts available at the Virgin website.

http://www.virginclassics.com/vclass...rm.cgi?key=704

http://www.virginclassics.com/vclass...rm.cgi?key=643

Look at the bottom on either page.

 

[pbalcer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by papy I have the version with Neville Mariner and the Academy & Chorus of St Martin in the Fields (250th Anniversary performance in Dublin). I bought this one on DVD (Philips)...and Frankly i am not sure what to make of it...this is the first version of the Messiah that i have so I don't know if my reservation is down to the piece itself or the performance.

Hi,

I know that Marriner & ASMF made two recordings of Messiah. From what I read on the Internet, the general preference is toward the first recording. The second one - the 250th Anniversary performance, is supposedly worse. I have only the first recording and I like it. I don't have the anniversary recording so I cannot compare directly.

BTW, I have Suzuki & Bach Collegium Of Japan's recording and I like it a lot. It's #2 of my favourite recordings of Messiah (#1 is Pinnock's recording). The thing about Suzuki's recording is that is very much unlike the "mainstream". It is very "soft" and delicate but still powerful. This recording and Beecham's are the two recordings I have that are _very_ different than the rest.

Cheers!

 

[Bunnyears]

pbalcer,

Thanks for the word about the Suzuki. I am seriously thinking about acquiring the recording and don't want to rely only on the mainstream critics.

 

[DarkAngel]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bunnyears DarkAngel, Please let us know how Suzuki compares to Christie, McCreesh, Pinnock, et al. I have his recording of Bach Overtures which is quite good.

The Suzuki/BIS is similar in style to Christie/DHM in that it is a hybrid sound and not as purely HIP as Pinnock or McCreech, but blending elements of HIP and modern for very nice result. No real weakness and sound is quite good, but must take back seat to Christie although strong 2nd place in this blended style........note full Suzuki version hard to find and very expensive

The soloists for Christie are just too strong with Piau and Scholl being at the very top of this genre currently, and Christie providing excellent orchestral sound in beautiful warm 3D soundscape by DHM remains primary choice for DA.

DHM has just released special Christie version, widely available now at Tower etc:

 

[Bunnyears]

Although the Suzuki is expensive, it is listed at Amazon and Tower (special order) so it is not impossible to obtain at this point. The Highlights seems to be harder to locate than the complete Messiah.

 

[Masolino]

A recording of Messiah by Cleobury was mentioned at the start of the thread and then never again. Is it on the Brilliant Classics label, of a 1994 live performance in Leyden, Holland? If so, the video version is now available on a cheap DVD from the same outfit (previously also on the Image Entertainment label). The Choir is the all-male one of King's College, Cambridge. The sound is very excellent to great, and so is the picture. Interpretatively, it is quite in the English Cathedral tradition (cf. Hogwood) but fortunately a bit livelier than usual, and Lynn Dawson's voice in this repertory is something wonderful to hear. The alto voice has a timbre that is quite comparable to that of the great Carolyn Watkinson. Just thought to mention it for those interested.

HANDEL Messiah ¡E Stephen Cleobury, cond; Lynne Dawson (sop); Hillary Summers (alt); John Mark Ainsley (ten); Alastair Miles (bs); C of King¡¦s College Cambridge; The Brandenburg Consort (period instruments) ¡E BRILLIANT DVD 92520 (DVD: 136:00) Live: Leiden 1994

 

[Bunnyears]

It's the right time to revive this thread again!

I find my self looking at new Messiahs (Danger Will Rogers...). The new René Jacobs has caught my fancy despite the very mixed reviews, but the one I'm still lusting after is the sadly oop Ton Koopman/Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra/ The Sixteen, et al. However, a used copy is listed at Amazon for the ridiculous price of $95 (plus $2.59 S&H).
Someone I know has given me a tip as to a possible copy available here in Manhattan that I am definitely going to pursue.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Masolino /img/forum/go_quote.gif A recording of Messiah by Cleobury was mentioned at the start of the thread and then never again. Is it on the Brilliant Classics label, of a 1994 live performance in Leyden, Holland? If so, the video version is now available on a cheap DVD from the same outfit (previously also on the Image Entertainment label). The Choir is the all-male one of King's College, Cambridge. The sound is very excellent to great, and so is the picture. Interpretatively, it is quite in the English Cathedral tradition (cf. Hogwood) but fortunately a bit livelier than usual, and Lynn Dawson's voice in this repertory is something wonderful to hear. The alto voice has a timbre that is quite comparable to that of the great Carolyn Watkinson. Just thought to mention it for those interested. HANDEL Messiah ¡E Stephen Cleobury, cond; Lynne Dawson (sop); Hillary Summers (alt); John Mark Ainsley (ten); Alastair Miles (bs); C of King¡¦s College Cambridge; The Brandenburg Consort (period instruments) ¡E BRILLIANT DVD 92520 (DVD: 136:00) Live: Leiden 1994

Oops, I see that I never responded to Masolino's question about the Cleobury Messiah!

Here's the listing for it at Amazon. Hope it helps. I note that it's listed for the absurd amount of $50 odd as it is the same performance as the dvd.

For the final note, I see that Harnoncourt's SACD Messiah is now available (or is on backorder) from the BMG music clubs. I've put in my order and will compare it to his earlier version on Teldec.