Handel - Messiah / Ameling ? A. Reynolds ? Langridge ? Howell ? Marriner
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Free Music Notes for Handel - Messiah / Ameling ? A. Reynolds ? Langridge ? Howell ? Marriner
Free Music Review: Neville Marriner's first and best MESSIAH recording
Hit: 5 Stars
Neville Marriner's first recording of MESSIAH, recorded in 1976, is without a doubt his best recording of the work. Marriner recorded Handel's most famous oratorio with his Academy of St. Martin in the Fields for Decca, and it is not to be confused with a later German language version from Munich for EMI, or a 1992 live concert (Philips) with soloists who were not on the level of the 1976 Decca recording.
Marriner takes generally fast, refreshing tempos in the choruses and keeps a light texture, but he knows where to slow down, and the Academy players are so good: in sync with Marriner's every nuance and tempo fluctuation (these are few, but sometimes the music calls for slight changes in tempo or expression.) "For unto us a Child is born" is the most satisfying I've heard, and it really moves, yet never seems rushed. All the soloists are excellent, and really have an understanding of Handel's style of writing for the voice, the meaning of the text, drawn from the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. They are not operatic voices, but more attuned to the intimate side of late Baroque oratorio. Keep in mind, though, intimate does not mean "namby pamby" or "wimpy." The choruses are very hearty indeed, and the heft of the orchestra always appropriate in the big moments, yet never sacrificing grace for a big sound.
This is also a complete MESSIAH, and a bargain on 2 discs. Ormandy and Bernstein (both Sony) are not complete, but really extended excerpts. If you must have period instruments, try Hogwood/Academy of Ancient Music (L'Oiseau Lyre, 1980, with a boys/men's choir) or Gardiner/English Baroque soloists (Philips, 1982). But Marriner in my mind is the best, as he blends both worlds: chamber choir and orchestra, but modern instruments. Recorded sound is terrific: highest recommendation!
Free Music Review: My One and Only Messiah
Hit: 5 Stars
Don't even look at another recording. This is the one to get. Everything about it is good, and most of it is superb. Where most Messiahs are performed at a funereal pace and have the kinetic energy of cold molasses, this one will blow your hair back. Neville Marriner and the ASMF are superb as always. But the highlights of this recording are Langridge and Howell, the tenor and baritone, respectively. Langridge delivers a beautiful, lyric performance that compares favorably to the best of better known tenors. But Howell is beyond description. I first heard and fell in love with this recording (then in LP) as a teenager, and it was Howell's singing that captivated me. Still does more than two decades later. I add this caution, however. Once you experience this musical revelation, you'll have a hard time hearing any other Messiah without wincing.Free Music Review: Not for sopranos looking for examples
Hit: 4 Stars
I bought a bunch of Messiahs so that I could hear different sopranos' interpretations of the solos. While Ameling sounds beautiful, I was disappointed that she doesn't sing "Come unto him," "How beautiful are the feet" OR "If God be for us." I was also bummed that she sings the less exciting 12/8 "Rejoice greatly" instead of the more melismatic, traditional version. On the other hand, she offers a moving rendition of "Thy rebuke hath broken his heart," which I had never heard sung by a soprano before, and her "I know that my redeemer liveth" is heartfelt and pure. Her recitative, "There were shepherds..." is quite different from how it is traditionally sung and it is interesting and emotive. The recording itself is nice; brisk and light like most things the Marriner does. If you're a Messiah fan who wants a taste of something different, try this out. If you're looking for a more traditional version, or if you're a soprano who wants inspiration for how to sing her solos, check out the performance conducted by Andrew Davis featuring Kathleen Battle!Free Music Review: Rather Good
Hit: 5 Stars
As has been previously mentioned, this version has some notable differences from more familiar versions, my favorite being the air "He shall feed His flock/Come unto Him" which is for contralto only. The recitative "And lo, the angel of the Lord..." is somewhat longer and more arioso-like. The air "How beautiful are the feet..." is a duet for contralto and soprano, followed by a chorus. The tempi are rather brisk, which works for the most part (especially in the opening sinfonia, which is often performed excessively slowly), however the air and chorus "Oh thou that tellest good tidings" is supposed to be adante and is much closer to allegro, and the chorus "His yoke is easy" while marked allegro, is just too fast for my taste. On the whole this is a highly recommended recording, it sounds Baroque (with the orchestration and ornamentation), but it doesn't sound hollow or bland, nor does it sound like overly dramatic.Free Music Review: Excellent, minus the Bass
Hit: 4 Stars
When choosing classical music it's a pretty safe bet you'll be getting a quality recording with the Academy of St. Martin's and Neville Marriner and this is very true with this version of Messiah.I'm sorry, but the Bass soloist in this recording may have talent, but his voice does not blend with the others. The soprano, alto and tenor are excellent, there was just something about the bassist which really put me off.
Otherwise, this is a splendid offering and another nice thing about this is that they bring out the soloing instruments clearly. The timpani, trumpet and oboes are clearly heard, as opposed to some recordings where the strings and abient noise wipe them out.