Customer Reviews

Handel's Young Messiah

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I've worn out two copies already, October 2, 2004
I love all types of music, from opera to pop. I love this CD so much I listen to it over and over from November to January every year. The holidays wouldn't be the same without it. I tote them around so much I wore out one copy and somehow lost my last one somewhere, but I've been heartsick ever since without my favorite Christmas CD. This is one of those CD's that makes you feel like you're in another world. This apparently is not for "purists" so only try it if you have an open mind and enjoy the beauty of music in all it's forms. This is the only "classical" type music I own that my teenagers don't roll their eyes at. I am glad I found it still for sale at Amazon.com. I hope they never stop selling it!

I have enjoyed this CD for over 15 years. I now find that I have to order another copy since mine is completely worn out. I have loaned it to friends over the years who have subsequently gone and bought their own copies. It's great to hear the master's works done in a different way so as to really make one think about what you are listening to and enjoying. If you are not a purist, give this upbeat version a listen.

FOR THOSE CONNOISSEURS THAT PREFER SOMETHING UNUSUAL-CLASSICAL PIECES WITH A POP BEAT TRY THIS UNUSUAL VERSION OF MESSIAH PERFORMED BY A YOUNGER GROUP OF TALENTED ARTISTS. IT HAS NICE CHORUS MUSIC & NICE CONNECTIONS TO THE CHORUS PIECES. WHAT IS DIFFERENT IS THAT IT DOES NOT SOUND OPERATIC-IT USES POP VOICES & SWAPS PARTS--A TENOR SINGS WHAT WAS A SOPRANO'S PART & VICE VERSA. THE GREAT PIECE IS THAT DONE ON THE TRUMPETS SHALL SOUND-DONE BY A BASS VOICE, & A I BELIEVE SUNG BY AN AFRICAN-AMERICAN. IT HAS GREAT JAZZY TRUMPET & WHAT A WAY TO SING IT. ALSO WHAT'S GOOD IS THOU THAT TELLEST GOOD TIDINGS TO ZION, THE HALLELUJAH, THE FINALE, THE GLORY OF THE LORD. EXCELLENT IMPROVISATION. THIS GROUP ALSO DOES SOUL VERSIONS OF MESSIAH.

I have loved this for a long time but was only on cassette. The young attitude of this historical classic is a delight to the ears, if you are interested in classics, Here is a perfect young at heart edition

I love all types of music, from opera to pop. I love this CD so much I listen to it over and over from November to January every year. The holidays wouldn't be the same without it. I tote them around so much I wore out one copy and somehow lost my last one somewhere, but I've been heartsick ever since without my favorite Christmas CD. This is one of those CD's that makes you feel like you're in another world. This apparently is not for "purists" so only try it if you have an open mind and enjoy the beauty of music in all it's forms. This is the only "classical" type music I own that my teenagers don't roll their eyes at. I am glad I found it still for sale at Amazon.com. I hope they never stop selling it!

This is one of several 're-workings' of Handel's immortal oratorio 'Messiah', but it is by no means the best (for that you should try 'Handel's Messiah: A Soulful Celebration'). The Phil Driscoll version of "The Trumpet Shall Sound" is impressive, if a little over the top, but many of the other tracks have not stood the test of time and sound like they're stuck in the 80s (ie. over-synthed and too many filters).

However, it is pleasing to see popular musicians tackling this great work - after all, Handel wanted it to be relevant to the times, and he gave permission for it to be adapted so that it would always be popular. Now, how many composers have ever given licence like that??

Great performance. I wore the tape out years ago and thought I would never hear it again. Should have never stopped releasing it. So glad I was able to locate the CD!!!!

After discovering that Maestro Handel apparently gave written permission to future generations to interpret The Messiah according to the styles of the times, my wife and I saw Handel's Young Messiah performed live in 1990 at George Mason University. We both found it an uplifting interpretation and bought the recording. It has been a part of our Holiday Season every year. I heartily recommend this version as an addition to any music library that also includes a copy of a more traditional performance.

Handel's Young Messiah is a worthy and noble effort, as well as an enjoyable and inspirational experience at each listening . . .

I'm trained as a musician, I understand and love many different genres of music, and yet I could never really get into the operatic warbling that seems to have to go with just about every version of "Messiah" out there. I wanted to hear a version where the vocalists sang with the voices of normal people.

With that in mind, when I discovered this CD 17 years ago, I immediately bought it. Then, after listening to it, I went out and bought more copies for friends. To those who say that Handel's spinning in his grave, I say that his only regret right now is probably that he's not raking in the royalties from this one. After all, he's the one who invented the oratorio form in order to get around the English rule that no operas could be performed during Lent, a rule that would cut into his profits. Too many "purists" out there don't take into account that the many composers they're so pure about were much more flexible regarding their music and that of others. I think Handel would be pleased with this version.

Regrettably, it's long out of print, but thankfully we now have the ability to rip out-of-print CDs to our computers and move them to our iPods. So long after my original copy of this bites the dust, I'll be able to burn another copy for myself.

Seems from the reviews so far you can only love it or hate it. I love it, although my musically educated super-ego tells me I shouldn't. So why do I love it? I listen to it in the car and I sing along, loud, if not very beautifully - something I would not dare to do with classically trained singers. I like the instrumentation and voices, too. The only thing is the rhythm section that in my view is too pronounced sometimes - baroque music has got enough rhythm of its own!
The singers have more sincere feeling, I believe, than perfectly trained voices striving for a timeless recording usually allow themselves to show.