Handel: Messiah [Original recording remastered]

George Frideric Handel (Composer), Robert Shaw (Conductor), The Robert Shaw Chorale and Orchestra (Orchestra), Judith Raskin (Performer), Florence Kopleff (Performer), Richard Lewis (Performer), Thomas Paul (Performer), Robert Conant (Performer), Robert Arnold (Performer), James Smith (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Judith Raskin, Florence Kopleff, Richard Lewis, Thomas Paul, Robert Conant, et al.
• Orchestra: The Robert Shaw Chorale and Orchestra
• Conductor: Robert Shaw
• Composer: George Frideric Handel
• Audio CD (October 12, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: RCA
• ASIN: B0002VYDYQ
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #21,204 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #49 in Music > Classical > Opera & Vocal > Oratorios
  • #59 in Music > Classical > Forms & Genres > Oratorio

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Finally!!!, October 22, 2004

By 

Alan Craig (Grand Junction,CO) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

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

Finally RCA has released on Compact Disc Robert Shaw's first

recording of Handel's Oratorio Messiah. This is a classic

performance of this work. It stands head and shoulders above

both of the Sony (Columbia Masterworks)(Ormandy and Bernstein)

recordings from the same decade. It has something a number of

other Messiah recordings lack heart and soul and feeling, the

performers aren't just singing this work, they are participating

in it.

34 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally on Compact Disc!, November 29, 2004

By 

Paul Bunkerr (New London, CT USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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

This was the first recording of Messiah I ever purchased, back in 1966. This Shaw performance was a big deal back then, as it represented the first real "period" performance practice version with its scaled down instrumental and choral forces - compared to the overblown Ormandy version, for example. The original vinyl discs imparted a muted dynamic range as I recall, so this splendid digitally-remastered release is truly stunning compared to the original. Of particular note is the gorgeous vocal work of soporano Judith Raskin, one of the most beautiful voices to appear on any recording of Messiah, and contralto Florence Kopleff whose vocal agility and sheen are something to behold. This is one of the best modern instrument Messiahs available today.

29 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hallelujah!, March 8, 2005

By 

G P Padillo "paolo" (Portland, ME United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

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

As a kid I begged and begged my parents for this recording (and what a weird kid I was). I wish they'd retained the original art work, but this was Messiah as I'd always dreamt it should be. Interestingly, this was the first time a recording attempted to duplicate what is (was) believed to be something resembling the original performances of Handel's masterpiece. The results were jarring and startling to those who'd known the piece as the massive work it had become.

Since then of course historically informed performances (HIP) have become almost commonplace and it seems like every year new recordings and versions of Messiah make their way into the market. With this in mind, it is fascinating to hear Shaw's tempi - considered by many at the time to be too fast.

The solo quartet is wonderful. Judith Raskine's clean, shimmering soprano delights and Florence Koploff is nothing but thrilling in "But who may abide the day of his coming" - her voice depicting a refiner's fire as no man had up til this point.

Shaw's tempi and phrasing are remarkable throughout and the recording remains something of a revelation.

To its finally being released on CD all I can say is Hallelujah!


This remains a remarkable performance and for it