Messiah [Original recording reissued]

George Frideric Handel (Composer), John Alldis (Conductor), London Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra), London Philharmonic Choir (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: London Philharmonic Choir
• Orchestra: London Philharmonic Orchestra
• Conductor: John Alldis
• Composer: George Frideric Handel
• Audio CD (March 12, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Original recording reissued
• Label: Sparrow
• ASIN: B000062T9E
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (46 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,859 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #9 in Music > Classical > Opera & Vocal > Oratorios
  • #12 in Music > Classical > Opera & Vocal > Vocal Non-Opera > Noels
  • #12 in Music > Classical > Forms & Genres > Oratorio

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Overture

2. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Recitative. Comfort Ye My People

3. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Aria. Every Valley Shall Be Exalted

4. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Chorus. And The Glory Of The Lord

5. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Recitative. Thus Saith The Lord

6. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Aria. But Who May Abide The Day Of His Coming?

7. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Chorus. And He Shall Purify

8. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Recitative. Behold, A Virgin Shall Conceive

9. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Aria & Chorus. O Thou That Tellest Good Tidings To Zion

10. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Recitative. For, Behold, A Darkness Shall Cover the Earth

See all 23 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Chorus. Surely He Hath Borne Our Griefs

2. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Chorus. And With His Stripes We Are Healed

3. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Chorus. All We Like Sheep Have Gone Astray

4. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Recitative. All They That See Him, Laugh Him To Scorn

5. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Chorus. He Trusted In God That He Would Deliver Him

6. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Recitative. Thy Rebuke Hath Broken His Heart

7. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Arioso. Behold, And See If There Be Any Sorrow

8. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Recitative. He Was Cut Off Out Of The Land Of The Living

9. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Aria. But Thou Didst Not Leave His Soul In Hell

10. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Chorus. Lift Up Your Heads, O Ye Gates

See all 25 tracks on this disc

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

254 of 257 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Glory of the Lord...., October 24, 2002

By 

W. M. Robbins "The Badger" (The Beautiful Blue Ridge) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Messiah (Audio CD)

George Frederick Handel's Messiah is certainly one of the World's most beautiful musical compositions, and this recording is one of the best performances of this work. Conducted by John Aldis, The London Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir are absolutely heavenly. Equally wonderful are the soloists: Felicity Lott, Alfreda Hodgson, Phillip Langridge and Ulrik Cold.
While not performed on period instruments or exactly in the manner which Handel had in mind when he composed The Messiah, (for a more faithful performance I recommend Christopher Hogwood and the Academy of Ancient Music(UK) with soloists Paul Elliot, Emma Kirkby, Carolyn Watkinson and Judy Nelson) this traditional rendition certainly does the work justice. Each chorus is glorious, with a huge yet perfectly tuned sound, and the soloists soar.
This CD is a beautiful listening experience, and while I recommend having the more faithful period recording mentioned earlier as well, do not deny yourself the opportunity to experience this larger, more glorifying performance.

119 of 121 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Complete Messiah, March 23, 2002

By 

Heather B. "heather, reader" (Utah, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Messiah (Audio CD)

As noted above, this two CD recording is pretty much the "complete" Messiah (numbers 34-37 are the only omission). Recorded by the London Philharmonic orchestra and choir, this is a very solid version of Handel's extraordinary work.

The Philharmonic does not attempt a period performance; instead, they present a modern interpretation with a traditional flavor. The orchestra is marvelous and the choir is completely on, even in the difficult runs of "For Unto Us A Child Is Born" and "All We Like Sheep." My only complaint is about the latter song: the choir sings so quickly, it feels like they are rushing to get to the end.

I would recommend this recording for anyone interested in owning the entire Messiah. It's faithful and complete. I love my copy!

81 of 84 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Solid, Affordable, Joyous Recording of a Masterpiece, December 2, 2003

By 

Martin W. Eldred (Eagle River, AK United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Messiah (Audio CD)

If I were to recommend just one recording of The Messiah, this would be the one. I have owned and enjoyed this particular recording for many years, first as a four LP set(circa 1980)and now in this CD reissue. You can spend a great deal of money on a recording of The Messiah, but in my opinion, you will rarely get a better performance than this one.

Devotees of The Messiah generally fall into two basic categories: those who prefer a more "modern" approach (bigger chorus and orchestra with modern instruments) and those who prefer a "period" recording more similar to Handel's original (smaller ensembles and period instruments). I actually appreciate both for different reasons. This particular recording, however, is one of the very best of the more modern type, the type most people are used to hearing.

That being said, this is a great, affordable "mainstream" recording of The Messiah that I would highly recommend to anyone wanting a dependable, accessible and pleasant recording of this classic. The soloists are first-rate, as are the chorus and orchestra, and conductor Allis gives a steady hand that gives a Messiah that is neither too broad and romantic (as many recordings do) nor too tight and quirky that most listeners would find strange (as many "authentic" recordings can be at times). It is a joy to listen to and will remain so for years and years.