Quote:
Originally Posted by mbhaub
It's that time of year to wake up this thread. Since the last postings there's been a major change in the Messiah scene: Harnoncourt on Sony/BMG with Concentus Musicus Wien. Yes, it's an "authentic" performance. Small orchestra, small choir. Yes, it works. It's thrilling! Extremely musical. Doesn't drag. Beautiful job. It's not Beecham (what is?), but it sure strips away centuries of abuse by Mozart, Prout, and others. The SACD sound is enthralling. Best of all, the hybrid 2-disk set is priced as one disk! If you like this music, do yourself a favor and buy it. All Messiah enthusiasts need to hear this recording.
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Will have to check out newest
2CD Harnoncourt/Harmonia Mundi which is a SACD hybrid, released 11/1/05.........my top 5 Messiahs from last extensive search are:
1)Christie/Harmonia Mundi
(Sandrine Piau and Andreas Scholl, wow! Sounds like hybrid of period/modern with best of both, spacious warm sound, reference Messiah)
2)Pinnock/Archiv
(Hogwood period performance style more fully realized)
3)McCreesh/Archiv
(very close to Pinnock)
4)Andrew Davis/EMI Seraphim
(best modern instrument version I have heard, Kathleen Battle! Full version hard to find)
5)Parrott/Virgin
(Emma Kirkby, softer smaller more intimate reverant tone)
Honorable Mention- Hogwood/Lyre
(a bit stiff by modern standards, but started it all for period messiah performances, wonderful young Emma Kirkby)