Customer Reviews

Messiah

5 star:		(33)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

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.

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!

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.

This recording of Handel's Messiah showcases Felicity Lott, whose voice has an wonderfully warm and rich quality (unusual for a soprano) -- particularly on "I Know That My Redeemer Liveth," a song with which I am tolerably familiar as a soprano soloist. In fact, the entire recording's tone resonates with warmth. The only fault lies in the fact that #34-37 are omitted, including one of my favorite pieces, "And He Shall Purify;" hence four stars instead of five. But leaving aside that omission, the orchestral performance is outstanding, the chorus is very good, and the soloists, especially Ms. Lott, are delightful.

I own the original CD release of this version conducted by Alldis;
I've been enjoying it ever since I got it.

I used to be disappointed that it was missing some of Handel's material; so I got the Sir Colin Davis version, which is exhaustive and supposed to be really good... It's pretty good, but this Alldis version is definitely more enjoyable. And now I think I can see why that other material gets left out; it looks like good libretto, but in general those parts are the least enjoyable musically and the most redundant for theme progression.

In the Alldis version, my favorite choruses like "And He Shall Purify" are clear and powerful. The solos are more approachable. All the singing is convincing, as though the singers are wholly embracing both their words and their musical approach. I sense them owning everything they are doing. And I love the use of organ as accents. I can imagine Handel conducting from a keyboard in heaven.

I admit I probably haven't listened to more than half a dozen versions, but until someone introduces me to a better one, this is by far the most enjoyable classical version to a contemporary listener, but I think even Handel would be appreciative. So buy it, listen to it, and enjoy it forever, forever and ever, forever and ever, forever and ever, forever and ever, forever, forever and ever, forever and ever. Amen, amen, amen...

It is the traditional version of the Messiah and includes all parts - even the songs some people would find obscure. Very well done. Sounds inspiring and wonderful.

This is the ultimate studio recording of Handel's oratorio The Messiah. On compact disc, the lengthy masterpiece is dynamic and heavenly under the baton of chorus conductor John Alldis. Alldis has conducted opera choruses mostly, but he has conducted many fine choral works and with Handel's Messiah he proves he is an artist of versatility and strength. The spiritual epic Messiah is the greatest oratorio ever written. A large-scale work, its music is taken from the Bible and deals with the life and death of Jesus Christ. The famous "Hallelujah" chorus is always appropriate on Christmas as is all the second part. The first part is usually associated with Easter. The singers in this recording are obscure but very talented and quite sensational. The tenor singing "Every Valley Shall Be Exalted" is incredible and the best moments for the soprano come in the second disc when she sings the arias "How Beautiful Is The Feet Of Them" and
"I Know My Redeemer Liveth" as well as Act I's "Rejoice Greatly O Daughter of Zion". The choruses are radiant with spiritual glory and Handel's music is well interpreted by the London Philharmonic. Handel knew this was his greatest work, his masterpiece. The first performance of The Messiah was designed to benefit a charity. Also, when King George first heard the Hallelujah he stood up on his feet and started the tradition ever since. When Handel died, he requested the soprano aria "I Know My Reedemer Liveth" be written on his tombstone and sung at his funeral. He felt that aria and music expressed everything he had set out to do as a composer. On this album, we get the best and I highly recommend it. Spiritual, profound, inspirational, it is a work of sublime beauty and splendor, the greatest work for God ever made.

I bought this recording because I have heard many others in which Alldis did a fine job as chorus master. In its favor, it uses modern instruments which are better suited to the music than the trendy but dry pseudo-historic devices used on most new recordings. But the performance and the recording just aren't distinguished. Nothing is terrible, but neither is anything remarkable. This is surprising because tenor Philip Langridge is so magnificent in the first Marriner recording.

This is one of the best performances of the Messiah I have ever heard; however, the track listings on the reverse side of the case are inaccurate with songs 24 & 25 listed at the beginning of the second cd but are actually at the end of cd 1. Other songs are combined together on cd 2 contra the printed listing of the tracks. This makes it confusing to find a particular song but does not detract from the wonderful performance.

Handel's Messiah is so good that you can take the most popular music of the past 100 years, put them on countless CDs, and not a single one will come close to the musical beauty and craft of 'Handel's Messiah'. And it doesn't hurt to have the best orchestra on the planet play it either. Really this deserves 100 stars!