Handel: Messiah [Import]

George Frederick Handel (Composer), Harry Christophers (Conductor), David James (Performer), Sixteen Orchestra (Orchestra), Lynne Dawson (Performer), Maldwyn Davies (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: David James, Lynne Dawson, Maldwyn Davies
• Orchestra: Sixteen Orchestra
• Conductor: Harry Christophers
• Composer: George Frederick Handel
• Audio CD (September 9, 1997)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Import
• Label: Hyperion UK
• ASIN: B000002ZEM
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #338,036 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Messiah: Symphony

2. Messiah: Tenor Recititive - Comfort ye My People

3. Messiah: Tenor aria - Every Valley Shall Be Exalted

4. Messiah: Chorus - And The Glory Of The Lord Shall Be Revealed

5. Messiah: Bass Recitative - Thus Saith The Lord Of Hosts

6. Messiah: Countertenor Aria - But Who May abide The Day Of His coming?

7. Messiah: Chorus - And He Shall Purify

8. Messiah: Contralto Recitative - Behold A Virgin Shall conceive, And Bear A Son

9. Messiah: Contralto Aria And Chorus - O Thou That Tellest Good Tidings To Zion

10. Messiah: Bass Recitative - For Behold, Darkness Shall Cover The Earth

See all 24 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Messiah: Chorus - Surely He Hath Borne Our Griefs

2. Messiah: Chorus - And With His Stripes We Are Healed

3. Messiah: Chorus - All We Like Sheep Have Gone Astray

4. Messiah: Tenor Recitative - All They That See Him Laugh To Scorn

5. Messiah: Chorus - He Trusted In God That He Would Deliver Him

6. Messiah: Tenor Recitative - Thy Rebuke Has Broken His Heart

7. Messiah: Tenor Aria - Behold And See If There Be Any Sorrow Like Unto His Sorrow

8. Messiah: Tenor Recitative - He Was Cut Out Of The Land Of The Living

9. Messiah: Tenor Aria - But Thou Didst Not Leave His Soul In Hell

10. Messiah: Chorus - Lift Up Your Heads, O Ye Gates

See all 31 tracks on this disc

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great soprano, May 15, 2002

By 

Robert Sherman (Gaithrsburg MD) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Handel: Messiah (Audio CD)

Lynne Dawson's "I Know That My Redeemer Liveth" is in itself worth the price of this recording. I own more than 30 complete Messiahs, and her Redeemer is by far the best on the allegedly-historical instrument recordings.

This isn't Dawson singing Handel. It's Handel speaking to us through Dawson. Her technique, diction, and ornamentation are magnificent. But what really distiguishes her is her selfless sincerity. If you buy this one, you will always be glad you did.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Handel Would Be Pleased!, September 20, 2001

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Handel: Messiah (Audio CD)

Handel's intent for this work was to use a modest sized orchestra and relatively small chorus.

Unfortunately, many if not MOST of today's performances of the Messiah are of the grandiose, Victorian interpretation and have led the casual listener to expect a LOUD and POWERFUL rendition. This same listener is probably not offended in the least by "Sing-along Messiahs". However, this is far from the baroque style intended by Handel.

Having said that, I was pleased to find a recording more closely in line with Handel's intent. Certain things should not be altered, and the Messiah is one of those things. If you are looking for a high quality recording with wonderful musicians in the style intended by the composer, you cannot go wrong with this CD.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Almost perfect, April 9, 2003

By 

P. SIMPSON "nucaleena" (North Yorkshire, United Kingdom) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Handel: Messiah (Audio CD)

This recording has really grown on me. Lynne Dawson is as wonderful as other reviewers on this page have testified, but the whole performance is excellent. Yes, it is small scale, but that simply adds to the sense of wonder of Messiah's many intimate moments. All the performance lacks is just a little extra punch here and there, that last ounce of excitement - otherwise the orchestra and choir perform with clarity and brightness. A recording well worth getting to know.