Handel - Messiah
|
Music CD Cover Composer: George Frideric Handel Conductor: Rene Jacobs Orchestra: Cambridge Choir of Clare College Orchestra: Freiburger Barockorchester Performer: Kerstin Avemo Performer: Patricia Bardon Performer: Lawrence Zazzo Performer: Kobie van Rensburg Performer: Neil Davies Edition: Music CD Format: Import CD Release Date: 2006-10-10 Music Label: Harmonia Mundi Fr. Soundtracks: Music CD 1
|
| New | moviemars | New BRAND NEW, Factory Sealed items direct from the Studios. 30 Day Satisfaction Guarantee. Quick International Airmail! Usually ships in 1-2 business days | $26.55 | |
| New | --cdzone-uk-- | New Brand new. Shipped from the UK by Airmail direct to 5 airports in the United States. Delivery takes approximately 5 working days from posting - we're frequently faster than a lot of US based sellers. Usually ships in 1-2 business days | $26.56 | |
| New | --caiman-- | New Brand new Item. CD, DVD, Book, VHS more than 400 000 titles to choose from. ALL days Low Price ! Usually ships in 1-2 business days | $26.58 | |
| New | westendentertainment | New Usually ships in 1-2 business days | $28.30 | |
| New | supermoviedeals | New Usually ships in 1-2 business days | $31.18 | |
| New | monster_mart | New Usually ships in 1-2 business days | $31.54 | |
| Used | moviemars | Used, mint Sealed item. Like NEW. 30 Day Satisfaction Guarantee. Quick International Airmail! Usually ships in 1-2 business days | $31.66 | |
| Used | supermoviedeals | Used, mint Usually ships in 1-2 business days | $31.67 | |
| Used | bigrock_media | Used, mint Like New Item. Most CDs are still in Original Shrinkwrap and with Security Tag. Products ship with DELIVERY CONFIRMATION. Several U.S. shipping locations to serve you 30-day Satisfaction Guarantee. Usually ships in 1-2 business days | $32.36 | |
| New | bigrock_media | New BRAND NEW CD! Original Shrinkwrap and Security Tag. Most products ship with DELIVERY CONFIRMATION. We ship from several U.S. locations. Usually ships in 1-2 business days | $32.47 |
Your purchase is protected by the A-to-z Safe Buying Guarantee. Amazon.com automatically transfers your payment to the merchant so you'll never need to pay a merchant directly. Amazon.com A-to-z Safe Buying Guarantee covers both the delivery of your item and its condition upon receipt.
Free Music Notes for Handel - Messiah Album
Free Music Review: Far From My First Choice
Hit: 3 Stars
I own this recording in the hybrid SACD version and have commented on it under that version. Since most prospective purchasers will be looking for the "redbook" CD version, I wanted to add my two cents worth here.
Having lived with and listened to this recording for sometime, I find it more of a disappointment than I did initially. Orchestral and choral forces are very good indeed, and the soloists are an OK lot. Soloists in particular are outclassed in other period performances (Cleobury being one example) but that is a personal take.
Two things about this performance raise my hackles: 1) Jacobs mannered conducting that employs lightened staccato effects in some choral climaxes. Listen to "For unto us" for example. The effect is irritatingly prissy. 2)The use of harp and lute in the continuo. While adding color to the proceedings, I prefer the less distracting harpsichord and organ support of other historically informed performances. In the present case the result is fussy and mannered.
There is also an egregious example of why ornamentation and flourishes are better in moderation in the context of repeated listening. Just before the invigorating rush of the final choral trilogy that ends Part III, Jacobs includes an organ interlude that "noodles" on the minor key of the final aria that immediately precedes it. It might work in live performance where the inspiration of the moment seizes both the performer and the audience. Laid down for posterity it prompts the question "why"? In the final "Amen" the jangling of the lute in the instrumental interlude sounds more like Vivaldi's Venice than Georgian England.
I suspect the SACD version shows off the recording quality to it's best effect. Even so, it lacks the transparency of Harmonia Mundi's best efforts.
Seasoned collectors may be interested in this version as different take on this warhorse. Buyers with less experience in the period performance area would do better with the work of Cleobury (Argo), Gardiner (Philips), Hogwood (Decca/L'Oiseau Lyre), and Pinnock (DG Archiv).