Customer Reviews

Handel: Messiah

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a wonderful recording of Messiah. The soloists, choir, and orchestra are all well-suited for the music, and Helmuth Rilling is a terrific conductor who knows exactly what he wants to hear. I find it exceptionally delightful.
The only caution I have is that this is a very Baroque interpretation, which means it is all about precision. If you are looking for the usual Romanticized version of Messiah, this is not for you. However, if you are interested in hearing a period accurate production of the Messiah, I heartily recommend this CD to you. Enjoy.

This recording of Messiah done by Helmuth Rilling and the Oregon Bach Festival for Hanssler Classic is a little bit better than the average "new" recording of the work. The soloists all sing well, the orchestra plays well too. The problem I had with this recording is the fact that the chorus sings the work with a little too much precision. There is not quite enough of the drama or passion here that Messiah requires. The whole thing runs like a well oiled machine, or a quartz watch. This is the second recording of Messiah that Helmuth Rilling has done, the other is the Mozart arraingment sung in German also recorded for Hanssler Classics. This recording would make a good additional one to have, but I don't think I would make it a first choice, unless you are studying about the work or want to learn to sing it.

I love Handel's music and Messiah is on top of my list of his work. I have several recordings and they each have their own appeal, but I have to say that the singers and the tempo of this particular cd is amazing. I wish the sound was a lot richer. However the voices make up for it.

Having been thrilled by some of Rilling's Bach, I had great hopes for this recording. But I'm disappointed. the choral singing is too detached and jerky to be enjoyable, with the exception of "Lift Up Your Heads" which is the best I've heard. The male singers aren't bad, but Quasthoff's English too often goes just a shade off color.