Handel - Messiah [Import]

George Frideric Handel (Composer), Rene Jacobs (Conductor), Cambridge Choir of Clare College (Orchestra), Freiburger Barockorchester (Orchestra), Kerstin Avemo (Performer), Patricia Bardon (Performer), Lawrence Zazzo (Performer), Kobie van Rensburg (Performer), Neil Davies (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Kerstin Avemo, Patricia Bardon, Lawrence Zazzo, Kobie van Rensburg, Neil Davies
• Orchestra: Cambridge Choir of Clare College, Freiburger Barockorchester
• Conductor: Rene Jacobs
• Composer: George Frideric Handel
• Audio CD (October 10, 2006)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Import
• Label: Harmonia Mundi Fr.
• ASIN: B000GUJYKQ
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #207,499 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

"Messiah" was presented often during Handel's lifetime, and the composer made changes to suit the occasions and singers available. In 1750, it was presented with the castrato Guadagni in place of a female alto soloist, and given Guadagni's virtuosity (he was Gluck's first Orfeo), Handel embellished the vocal line--the effect is stunning. René Jacobs leads a superb reading of this version of the score--a very secular reading--with swift tempi, lightness of attack, interesting swelling, and diminishing of choral notes to great effect and an overall excellent cast. Countertenor Lawrence Zazzo takes the Guadagni part and fills it with grand style; Kerstin Avemo is the fine soprano soloist and bass Neal Davies sings up a storm. The men and women of the Choir of Clare College are in top form and the 28 players of the Feiburger Barockorchester play with accuracy, verve, and handsome tone. Yes, there are dozens of recordings of this work available, but this one is worthy to stand beside the best. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful, November 8, 2006

By 

A Music Lover (Queensland, Australia) - See all my reviews

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

The harpsichord is used in this recording albeit discretely (with reference to the previous review - a clavecin is in fact a harpsichord) and Jacobs makes very imaginative use of the organ. The use by Jacobs of the lute as a continuo instrument is also incredibly effective. The soloists are uniformly excellent and the choir is spectacular. Whilst not as devotional as the recent Harnoncourt recording (my all time favourite), the combination of English choral excellence, German orchestral brilliance and Flemish flair in the conducting make for a winning recipe. Don't miss it.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Vivacious, if occasionally mannered Messiah, November 24, 2008

By 

David L. Reynolds (LA, CA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Handel - Messiah (Audio CD)

Rene Jacobs was bound to get around to Messiah sooner or later and here it is. The soloists are all excellent, ornamenting the music tastefully if in a rather mannered fashion and without being very memorable. The chorus and orchestra are also excellent, but their work is the most affected by Jacobs' idiosyncracies. He has them interpolate trills at many cadential moments when one simply wants to get on with it and the fussy staccato articulation of the text in some of the choruses will be annoying to some. Surely this is due to Jacobs wanting to put his own personal stamp on the work (God knows it has been recorded almost to death), but in its own way it is entertaining and the overall music-making is joyful and life-affirming. I wouldn't recommend this as a first version, but if one already has a number of versions of Messiah and wants to hear a different take on a familiar work splendidly performed, this should fit the bill nicely.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More than 5 stars, December 2, 2006

By 

The Cello Chick (New York, NY United States) - See all my reviews

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

There is an alchemy in this recording that if extremely rare to find outside of a concert hall. Even though the tempi are usual and it is more "baroquey" than my tastes run, this is one of the most magical recording I have come across. I wish I could give it more than five stars.