21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Handel's genius + Gardiner's genius = perfection, June 2, 2000
This review is from: Handel: Dixit Dominus; Coronation Anthem No. 1 (Audio CD)
This is one of my favorite recordings of all time. There is a magical mix between Handel's genius and Gardiner's genius. I love vocal/choral music and this recording is a sparkling jewel in that genre.
Handel's "Dixit dominus" is a piece he wrote relatively early in his career, yet it overflows with genius. There is incredible variety in the orchestral and vocal writing. There is also wonderful depth and breadth of expression.
To my mind, Gardiner's interpretation defines this piece. Every other recording of this piece will be judged based on this one. The nuances of phrasing, contrasts, restraint (at times) and energy (at other times) are all perfectly balanced. The soloists are exquisite.
Thank you Mr. Gardiner, Monteverdi Choir and English Baroque Soloists for what is to me a quintessential piece.
The additional Coronation Anthem is frosting on the frosting.
This recording devastates me in the most exquisite way every time I listen to it.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Handel as it should be, April 7, 2004
This review is from: Handel: Dixit Dominus; Coronation Anthem No. 1 (Audio CD)
There are many recordings and studies of Handel's music, including just as many if not more interpretations of his pieces. Add to that variable today's recording technologies allowing the window of opportunity to be stretched to even greater limits. As a musician - vocal performer, I look for the clarity and transparency of the music above and beyond the "tricks of the trade". This recording, while being technically excellent,is in my opinion, the epitomy of Handel as it should be performed because it is not too fast, too slow, too dynamic, or "too" anything. It is Handel at his early best; no question about it. This recording allows the listener to experience the music without interruption or distraction.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
a voice teacher and early music fan, September 9, 2007
This review is from: Handel: Dixit Dominus; Coronation Anthem No. 1 (Audio CD)
WOW! WOE! and WHOOPS!
WOW beause the Monteverdi Choir opens this work 'Dixit Dominus' with much excitement and fervor and speed! In fact the 6 choruses in this performance are performed with all the attributes of Handel's music that a very scholarly John Eliot Gardiner can ascertain. My hand wanted so much to give this disc 5 stars BUT
WOE crept in with the entrance of the first solo performed by Charles Brett; his voice was 'edgy' very non-legato; close to being somewhat breathy; in short: he either had a bad day or it was not his 'bag' so to speak. I have him on some other recordings and he sounds better on those than on here. The tenor voice of Richard Morton was OK, but he is no Mark Padmore. The bass voice of David Wilson-Johnson was very resonant until he went lower in his register, at which time the word endings did not come forth. The soprano Felicity Palmer was quite good and performed her solo well.
AS for the WHOOPS! The tempos are somewhat questionable in two of the selections: 'De torrente in via bibet'(soprano duet) dragged on to the point of boredom, which is so unlike Gardiner, one has to wonder who was at fault???? In the choral selection : 'Tu es sacerdos in aeternam' the tempo was so fast that many of the words were lost, but I didn't mind because I knew the words and the sound was fabulous.
Did I enjoy this recording? You bet I did, and I'll listen to it and pass up most of the solo tracks and enjoy the overall aggressive excitement of the performance as only Gardiner can produce. We all have to be careful that we don't analyze a recording so much, that we lose the joy contained therein.
However, I own another rendition of this work that fulfills my expectations somewhat better than this one: 10 years later (1986) Stephan Cleobury produced a disc with the King's College Choir and a truly superb line-up of soloists: sopranos: Isobel Buchanan, Anne Mackay- countertenor:Michael Chance- tenor: Wm. Kendall and bass: Henry Herford. A wonderful listening treat, although a totally traditional approach
with an element of the romantic as opposed to the aggressive! Depending upon my mood at the time, I'll make my choice, but they both have a place in my library.
As for 'Zadok the priest' I think maybe the enjoyment of this work depends upon whether you prefer hearing female sopranos or boy sopranos. I lean to the boy's voices, but have no objection to the females because Gardiner has chosen such good ones, and they seem to emulate the required 'lightness' and crystal-clear sound of the boys.
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