Handel: Messiah (Highlights) / Solti, Chicago Symphony (Penguin Music Classics Series)

Gwynne Howell (Performer), George Frederick Handel (Composer), Georg Solti (Conductor), Chicago Symphony Orchestra (Orchestra), Kiri Te Kanawa (Performer), Keith Lewis (Performer), Garrison Keillor (Artist)

Product Details

• Performer: Gwynne Howell, Kiri Te Kanawa, Keith Lewis
• Orchestra: Chicago Symphony Orchestra
• Conductor: Georg Solti
• Composer: George Frederick Handel
• Audio CD (September 29, 1998)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Decca
• ASIN: B00000AFQP
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #299,111 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Track Listings

1. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: No.2, Comfort ye my people

2. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: No.3, Every valley shall be exalted

3. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: No.4, And the glory of the Lord

4. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: No.11, For unto us a child is born

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

This is a fine set of Messiah excerpts, with Solti in his usual extroverted, theatrical vein, using a chorus of nearly 100 and a slimmed-down orchestra of 40 (not only large, but in opposite proportions to Handel's wishes, but why quibble?). The stars of the show are the amazingly trained chorus, who can diminuendo on a dime and whose enunciation of the text is a marvel; and soprano Kiri Te Kanawa, turning in what may be one of her loveliest, warmest performances on disc. The original liner notes by Garrison Keillor put Messiah in the author's always entertaining context--his first, stunning, hearing of the music whose text he and his Plymouth Brethren knew quite well, and his occasional terror of encountering nonprofessional performances which include sing-alongs. No such terror here. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful and brilliant!, March 31, 2000

By A Customer

Solti really does a very fine job conducting, and this recording captures all the brilliance, power, majesty, and spiritual beauty of this masterpiece more than any of the other ones I've heard.

Te Kanawa's beautiful voice enchants, and the orchestra plays with great rhythm. Last but not least, the sound is perfect, all the details are very clear(digital quality). You will feel as if the chorus and trumpets are right in your living room!

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best classical recordings., October 18, 1999

By A Customer

Bravo Kiri and Sir George Solti for such an examplary performance! The best classical recording, if not one of the best I have purchased. The orchestration is very good, if only Sir George were alive I'd like to congratulate him for his one of his best efforts. Kiri is at her best in this recording, although I never believed in her, she has made me a believer. The choral section is magnificent!

Highly, highly recommended.

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent!!!, August 21, 2009

By	ALBERT A. ROMERO (San Jose, California) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

One of the best recordings ever ! The other "Worth is the Lamb" tend to be very very slow and boring.
This has a perfect flow. The sound quality is excellent and powerful, you feel as if you were in the audience !!