Handel - Dixit Dominus · Salve Regina · Laudate pueri · Saeviat tellus / Massis · Kozená · Fulgoni · Henckens · McLean-Mair · Pujol · Les Musiciens du Louvre · Minkowski [Import]

Magdalena Kozená (Artist), George Frideric Handel (Artist), Marc Minkowski (Artist), Annick Massis (Artist), Les Musiciens du Louvre (Artist), Sara Fulgoni (Artist), Patrick Henckens (Artist), Kevin McLean-Mair (Artist), Marcos Pujol (Artist), Valérie Gabail (Artist), Yann Miriel (Artist), Mirella Giardelli (Artist), Pascal Monteilhet (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 11, 2000)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Archiv Prod Import
• ASIN: B00002DETD
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #202,445 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

We know Handel mostly for the operas (Ariodante, for example), biblical oratorios (Messiah), and instrumental works (Water Music) he wrote for London high society. Yet he was producing masterpieces such as these Latin sacred works composed in Rome when he was barely into his 20s. The big chorus-and-orchestra Dixit Dominus and the soprano showpieces Sæviat tellus, Laudate pueri, and Salve Regina have been recorded several times in recent years (including, most notably, Andrew Parrott's thrilling full-scale reconstruction of the lavish Vespers service for which Handel probably wrote these works), yet this lively performance by Marc Minkowski and les Musiciens du Louvre is as good as any of them. Since Handel wrote this music for virtuoso castratos, it's no surprise that the stars here are the (female) sopranos Annick Massis and Magdalena Kozená. Both have sweet, flexible voices with more body than, say, Emma Kirkby or Jill Feldman (two of Parrott's divas), yet without the wide vibrato and relentless legato that make so many singers unsuitable for period-instrument Handel. The performance isn't flawless: Massis does sometimes let her vibrato, however narrow, get in the way of long, sustained notes; the choir, surprisingly, lets vibrato get in its way overall, sounding better suited to Beethoven than Handel. Yet the energetic tempos and generally skillful execution make this a very worthwhile release. It competes against one of Parrott's finest recordings (two discs for a lower price than Minkowski's one), but if you don't want all that chant mixed in with your Handel or happen to dislike singers such as Kirkby and Feldman, then you won't find a better Dixit Dominus than this. In fact, real Handel fans should want both. --Matthew Westphal

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Vivid and enthralling, December 28, 2001

By 

Mark Dirksen (Beverly Mass. United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Handel - Dixit Dominus · Salve Regina · Laudate pueri · Saeviat tellus / Massis · Kozená · Fulgoni · Henckens · McLean-Mair · Pujol · Les Musiciens du Louvre · Minkowski (Audio CD)

Having just panned John Eliot Gardiner's recent recording of Dixit Dominus (Philips, Nov. 2001), I will only say here that this disc is eminently satisfactory for all the reasons cited in the other reviews. I'm especially taken with the solo work, and with Ms. Massis in particular - her account of Saeviat Tellus is a marvel. Minkowski gives the Dixit all of its startling, vivid color and the live performance seems to add to the lustre. Don't hesitate to invest in this recording - it will repay you with hours of listening pleasure. Stanley Sadie is right!

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Bargain, June 1, 2000

By 

Lars Hinnum - See all my reviews

This review is from: Handel - Dixit Dominus · Salve Regina · Laudate pueri · Saeviat tellus / Massis · Kozená · Fulgoni · Henckens · McLean-Mair · Pujol · Les Musiciens du Louvre · Minkowski (Audio CD)

The french conductor and Handel-lover Marc Minkowski and his original instruments ensemble Musiciens du Louvre gives a flamboyant and delightful performance. Especially the beautiful Dixit Dominus HWV 232.The recording is so alive and spirited that this cd must be strongly recommended.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Minkowski does it again!, January 16, 2002

By 

D. Gammelgard "dave_ga" (Falun, Sweden) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Handel - Dixit Dominus · Salve Regina · Laudate pueri · Saeviat tellus / Massis · Kozená · Fulgoni · Henckens · McLean-Mair · Pujol · Les Musiciens du Louvre · Minkowski (Audio CD)

If you want to experience some absolutely wonderful music by Handel that is rarely performed then you should check out this disc. As I have made clear in my other reviews, I am a big fan of Marc Minkowski and his brilliant orchestra. These are passionate and exciting performances like most of his productions. Though, some things disturbs me. Most of all:
Why no harsichord? Many of the pieces would strongly benefit from the use of a harpsichord. The rhytmical details are really quite lost in the more dramatic movements and the textures easily gets blurry. It might be "authentic" in some way but there are so many other things that are not so why does he bother? As usual the french choirs are not really impressive. The intonation is far from impeccable but still, compared to for example the choir of C. Rousset, good and acceptable. Overall a great disc which is by the way a live recording. Kozena and Massis are superb. Dixit Dominus is the true highlight of the cd. If you like Handel it's worth buying just for this piece!
Yet another recording that kills of the "flat-earthers" illusion that period performances are boring!!