Handel - Messiah / Harper, Watts, Wakefield, Shirley-Quirk, LSO, C. Davis

George Frideric Handel (Artist), London Symphony Orchestra and Chorus (Artist), Sir Colin Davis (Artist), Heather Harper (Artist), Helen Watts (Artist), John Wakefield (Artist), John Shirley-Quirk (Artist)

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 9, 1993)
• SPARS Code: ADD
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Philips
• ASIN: B00000416H
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #106,020 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential recording
This 1966 reading from Sir Colin Davis and the London Symphony is a classic. A noble, compassionate interpretation, it represents a very successful melding of the English oratorio tradition with the then-emerging notion of an authentic performance style emphasizing lightness of texture and firm rhythmic underpinning. In its latest incarnation, as a Philips "Duo" offering (two CDs for the price of one), it's an especially good bargain. --Ted Libbey

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

63 of 63 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A classic reading, June 7, 2001

By	klavierspiel "klavierspiel" (TX, USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

Originally recorded in the 1960s using modern instruments, a good-sized chorus and standard A-440 concert pitch, this is not a Messiah for fanatics of historically informed performances. On the other hand, Sir Colin Davis strikes an intelligent compromise between conventional forces and an awareness of Baroque performance practice that holds up remarkably well after three-plus decades. Textures and articulations are light, tempi are quick (sometimes too quick for soloists' maximum comfort) and ornamentation is not only permitted but encouraged. Moreover, this is a note-complete Messiah, except for an odd cut in the Da Capo of "He was despised," that chooses among the differing versions of various numbers with good results. Orchestra and choir execute the familiar music with superb precision and diction. The soloists, all English, give committed, idiomatic performances of their numbers, though as mentioned above, they occasionally seem taxed in their florid music.

One ought to have another recording of Messiah on period instruments, perhaps one that uses alternate versions of some of the familiar numbers, for a truly complete picture of this masterpiece. But for a standard recording of this work Davis' reading (his first) remains one of the top choices.

33 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous Messiah, get the "Philips 50" series remaster, May 17, 2004

By	R. Lane (Tracy, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is a spectacular recording, as many have indicated. But, what few know is that Philips in 2001 remastered the sound as part of their "Philips 50" celebration.

The remastering reperesents a significant improvement in sound over this Duo series issue. The master used for the Duo series issue here reviewed was actually made in the early 1980s when CDs first appeared, adn is quite inferior bypresent standards.

While Philips chose not to issue the remastered Philips 50 release in the USA, it is available form Amazon.com as asin # B000051YDC.

But get it while you can. Even European countries are reporting issues in the Philips 50 series as discontinued, so I suspect that there is only a limited number of copies of each issue with no intenetion of making additional copies when they sell out.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An inspired performance!, October 6, 2002

By	Andrew Mayzak "audiophile" (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Although I generally like performances of works to be historically accurate with period instruments and choirs reflecting the vocal teachings of the time, this is an exception.
I bought this recording because I know the reputation of the London Symphony Orchestra and Chorus as well as the Philips label. I was not disappointed by either.
Sir Colin Davis is expressive yet vigorous in his conducting, breathing new life into the entire oratorio, especially well known choruses like "For Unto us a Child is Born" and "Hallelujah!". Some might think it a little fast, but I like the fresh approach to this well used and often abused music. The orchestra plays with true gusto, never overpowering the choir, but never letting the light, bouncing quality of their Baroque style slip away. The result is happy, bubbling, almost pompous music that creates another world acoustically.
The London Symphony Chorus is unsurpassed in their ability to use a variety of vocal colors while using forceful dynamics and sounding epic at the same time. They never get out of sync with one another, very impressive especially on the long ornamental runs in "For Unto us a Child is Born". Their fortes are ground shaking and their pianos are ethereal.
The soloists, though I have never heard of any of them, are excellent as well. They all have bright, wholesome timbres and are capable of incredible breath support, often singing 10 or 11 second phrases of ornamentation without stopping for air or losing any power.
All of this incredible talent comes thorugh with crystal clarity on Philips' CD. There is no crackle or hiss and never once does the music get too intense and cause bursts of static. Every instrument can be heard individually and one feels as though the work is being performed at a live venue.
This is by far one of the best CDs I've bought, robust and assertive, expressive, and technically perfect in every aspect of the music.