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George Frideric Handel, Arleen Auger, Anne Sofie von Otter, Trevor Pinnock, The English Concert & Choir, Michael Chance, Howard Crook, John Tomlinson - Handel - Messiah / Augér, von Otter, Chance, Crook, Tomlinson, English Concert, Pinnock
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George Frideric Handel, Arleen Auger, Anne Sofie von Otter, Trevor Pinnock, The English Concert & Choir, Michael Chance, Howard Crook, John Tomlinson - Handel - Messiah / AugA©r, von Otter, Chance, Crook, Tomlinson, English Concert, Pinnock

Facts

Handel - Messiah / Augér, von Otter, Chance, Crook, Tomlinson, English Concert, Pinnock
Music Price: $33.98
As of Jan 4 16:56 EST (details)

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Artist(s)George Frideric Handel, Arleen Auger, Anne Sofie von Otter, Trevor Pinnock, The English Concert & Choir, Michael Chance, Howard Crook and John Tomlinson
StudioArchiv Produktion
Release DateOctober 25, 1990
UPC Code028942363021
Buy this item$33.98 at Amazon.com
As of Jan 4 16:56 EST (details)
2 Audio CD, Usually ships in 24 hours,
 

Tracks

Disc 1
  1. Part 1. 1. Sinfony (Grave - Allegro moderato)
  2. Part 1. 2. Accompagnato. Comfort ye my people
  3. Part 1. 3. Air. Ev'ry valley shall be exalted
  4. Part 1. 4. Chorus. And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed
  5. Part 1. 5. Accompagnato. Thus saith the Lord of Hosts
  6. Part 1. 6. Air. But who may abide the day of his coming
  7. Part 1. 7. Chorus. And he shall purify
  8. Part 1. 8. Recitative. Behold, a virgin shall conceive
  9. Part 1. 9. Air. O thou that tellest good tidings
  10. Part 1. 10. Accompagnato. For behold, darkness shall cover
  11. Part 1. 11. Air. The people that walked in darkness
  12. Part 1. 12. Chorus. For unto us a Child is born
  13. Part 1. 13. Pifa (Pastoral Symphony)
  14. Part 1. 14. Recitative. There were shepherds abiding in the field / Accompagnato. And lo, the angel
  15. Part 1. 17. Chorus. Glory to God in the highest
  16. Part 1. 18. Air. Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion
  17. Part 1. 19. Recitative. Then shall the eyes of the blind
  18. Part 1. 20. Air. He shall feed his flock
  19. Part 1. 21. Chorus. His yoke is easy, his burthen is light
  20. Part 2. 22. Chorus. Behold the Lamb of God
  21. Part 2. 23. Air. He was despised
Disc 2
  1. Part 2. 24. Chorus. Surely he hath borne our griefs
  2. Part 2. 25. Chorus. And with his stripes we are healed
  3. Part 2. 26. Chorus. All we like sheep have gone astray
  4. Part 2. 27. Accompagnato. All they that see him
  5. Part 2. 28. Chorus. He trusted in God
  6. Part 2. 29. Accompagnato. Thy rebuke hath broken his heart
  7. Part 2. 30. Arioso. Behold, and see if there be any sorrow
  8. Part 2. 31. Accompagnato. He was cut off out of the land
  9. Part 2. 32. Air. But thou didst not leave his soul
  10. Part 2. 33. Chorus. Lift up your heads, O ye gates
  11. Part 2. 34. Recitative. Unto which of the angels
  12. Part 2. 35. Chorus. Let all the angels of God worship him
  13. Part 2. 36. Air. Thou art gone up on high
  14. Part 2. 37. Chorus. The Lord gave the word
  15. Part 2. 38. Air. How beautiful are the feet
  16. Part 2. 39. Chorus. Their sound is gone out
  17. Part 2. 40. Air. Why do the nations so furiously rage
  18. Part 2. 42. Recitative. He that dwelleth in heaven
  19. Part 2. 43. Air. Thou shalt break them
  20. Part 2. 44. Chorus. Hallelujah
  21. Part 3. 45. Air. I know that my Redeemer liveth
  22. Part 3. 46. Chorus. Since by man came death
  23. Part 3. 47. Recitative. Behold, I tell you a mystery
  24. Part 3. 48. Air. The trumpet shall sound
  25. Part 3. 49. Recitative. Then shall be brought to pass
  26. Part 3. 50. Duet. O death, where is thy sting?
  27. Part 3. 52. Air. If God be for us
  28. Part 3. 53. Chorus. Worthy is the Lamb that was slain - Amen

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User Reviews

Average user review: 4.5 (35 reviews)

rating: 5 QuoteSimply the best Messias I knowQuote
If you like Handel's Messias and want a definitive record, this is your choice!!

I recommend! September 18, 2008

rating: 4 Quotea voice teacher and early music fanQuote
AUGER AND CHANCE ENCHANT AND ENTRANCE.
The English passion for oratorio is largely due to Handel. Every year from 1738 to 1751, he produced at least one. The 'Messiah' is THE modern oratorio, not only because of the custom of rising and stretching in the seventh inning, when the 'Hallelujah Chorus' is sung, but because of its magnificent choruses, soaring arias and orchestral accompaniment which are truly thrilling.

And that is precisely why I would not give this rendition five stars. It is incredibly 'laid back' and too 'cold' for my taste. However. let's examine the soloist's contributions one by one, for some of this overall impression has a great deal to do with them.

John Tomlinson (bass)- excellent technique with good emotional investment; tone quality unusual (I didn't like it) and rather rough-sounding.

Howard Crook (tenor) very oramented delivery overall; somewhat overdone at times, but otherwise, well done with good vocal resonance and upbeat style.

Anne Sofie von Otter (contralto)-after hearing Chance, she is a big let-down. She had that highly emotional and lengthy solo 'He was despised', and she could have been singing' 'take me out to the ball game' for all the emotion she sent out to the listener. While she is certainly more than adequate in her other arias on this recording, nevertheless, she lacks the power that Chance maintains throughout.

Michael Chance (countertenor)-Excellent, as per usual, lovely sound throughout, mega emotional investment. Always the perfectionist!!!!

Arlene Auger (soprano) Superb in every way; her voice is the ultimate in every way: exciting, sonorous, emotional, smooth and clear as crystal. I have never heard 'Rejoice Greatly' sung any better!!!

Chorus: nice sound, but rather bland; tempos somewhat slower overall. Excellent diction throughout, just not the most exciting of my many 'Messiah's'.

For real excitement try the 'live' performance from Maulbronn Monastery with Jurgen Budday! August 26, 2008

rating: 5 QuoteArleen Auger Helps Keep This Messiah at the Top of My ListQuote
I won't repeat all the positive observations made by others about this enduringly fine recording in affirming it's one of two of which I never tire. As others have noted, its uniform excellence is one of its greatest attractions. Above all the purity and clarity of Arleen Auger's voice in the soprano solos, so well known and therefore rather unforgiving in the demands made upon them, makes me reach for it among the dozen or so I currently own.

I've been to hear live Messiah performances and listened to recordings for 43 years now, and sometimes it seems the changing fashions in performance practice, especially of Bach and Handel, define my life development too. I think Handel would have liked this performance, and been very pleased with Pinnock's choices and his soloists. Pinnock avoids pushing too hard in making his points for his performance choices, and perhaps that's another central reason why this recording never grows tiresome.

The other recording I enjoy as much is Mackerras's 1966 recording with Elizabeth Harwood and Janet Baker. I had never heard the "Rejoice!" done in 12/8 before,and have had a preference for it ever since. Harwood adds a touch of pleasing dramatic engagement Auger sometimes lacks, but for which she makes up in the purity of tone. Handel: Messiah / Harwood, J. Baker, Esswood, Tear, Herincx; Mackerras

For me the only comparable "He was Despised" recordings besides Dame Janet's here, are Lorraine Hunt Lieberson Lorraine Hunt - Handel Arias and the ever-dear LP copies of Kathleen Ferrier. March 1, 2008

rating: 5 QuoteThe best of the best!Quote
Of all the many versions of Handel's MESSIAH available today, this is perhaps the very best. The overnight delivery was wonderful. Thanks very much. February 17, 2008

rating: 5 QuoteNow my benchmark Messiah recordingQuote
The two previous reviewers have done an excellent job of summarizing the strengths and weaknesses of this recording. Von Otter shines in this recording, and Tomlinson's bass is approachably period-correct -- a heavy booming bass soloist is not called for here.

On a personal note, I grew up with the Gardiner recording and purchased this Trevor Pinnock version several years ago. Last Christmas I put the Gardiner on the turntable for a listen, and found it staid...overly stiff in comparison with the Pinnock recording. While this may not be surprising to the cognoscenti, it may be helpful information for those who are seeking a dancing, light, and truly emotive performance. December 16, 2007

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