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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
20 of 20 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
An excellent version, nicely sung and recorded, with excellent performances of all the "big" numbers - brisk, but never breathless. The soloists (no big names) are uniformly good.
Only one (personal) reservation - I'm very partial to the spine-chilling counter-tenor version of "For He is like a refiner's fire", done best of all by Paul Esswood for Charles Mackerras. As this recording seeks to provide the first Dublin performance, we get the less virtuosic bass version of that version. But that's my only quibble. Highly recommended.
Only one (personal) reservation - I'm very partial to the spine-chilling counter-tenor version of "For He is like a refiner's fire", done best of all by Paul Esswood for Charles Mackerras. As this recording seeks to provide the first Dublin performance, we get the less virtuosic bass version of that version. But that's my only quibble. Highly recommended.
33 of 35 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Having listened to many of the various versions of Messiah, and previously having had The English Concert/Pinnock (Archiv) as my top choice, this new release from the Dunedin Consort has now surpassed that. Sure, it's sometimes tricky to compare recordings of different performing versions of the Messiah (of which there are many) but this recording of the 1742 Dublin version, whilst it might have been originally adapted by Handel to cater for soloists of perhaps a lesser quality than he could lay his hands on elsewhere, is by no means a 'poorer' version for that, certainly if this recording is anything to go by.
Where this recording really excels is the superb diction of both choir and the soloists drawn from within. Maybe easier to achieve with smaller forces than on most other recordings but the diction is supreme nonetheless. Clare Wilkinson's 'He Was Despised' comes up in quite the most heart rending and tragic rendition I have ever heard (which is how it should be) and is for me, the premier highlight amongst many. The overall oratorio is presented with such charm and the sense that Charles Jennens' collection of Scriptures is narrated as an entire story from start to finish.
The playing of the Dunedin Players is superb and the balance between choir and instrumentalists in the Hallelujah Chorus in particular is supreme and produces a rendition most joyful, (aided by the wonderfully punchy trumpets and timpani) far removed from the Victoriana pomposity of a number of older versions and the numerous 'Come Along and Sing' Hallelujahs (and Messiahs in general) frequently put on each year.
Quite the most sublime and joyful recorded version of Messiah I've ever heard. The Dunedin Consort and Players (not to mention John Butt!) should be proud.
Where this recording really excels is the superb diction of both choir and the soloists drawn from within. Maybe easier to achieve with smaller forces than on most other recordings but the diction is supreme nonetheless. Clare Wilkinson's 'He Was Despised' comes up in quite the most heart rending and tragic rendition I have ever heard (which is how it should be) and is for me, the premier highlight amongst many. The overall oratorio is presented with such charm and the sense that Charles Jennens' collection of Scriptures is narrated as an entire story from start to finish.
The playing of the Dunedin Players is superb and the balance between choir and instrumentalists in the Hallelujah Chorus in particular is supreme and produces a rendition most joyful, (aided by the wonderfully punchy trumpets and timpani) far removed from the Victoriana pomposity of a number of older versions and the numerous 'Come Along and Sing' Hallelujahs (and Messiahs in general) frequently put on each year.
Quite the most sublime and joyful recorded version of Messiah I've ever heard. The Dunedin Consort and Players (not to mention John Butt!) should be proud.
17 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I just thought I'd point out that this performance uses the 6-8 version of Rejoice. I've looked at that in the score but I've never heard it performed. I found it utterly charming.
Overall, having performed Messiah more times than I care to count, this performance is an enjoyable, new look at the work. At least, new to me.
Overall, having performed Messiah more times than I care to count, this performance is an enjoyable, new look at the work. At least, new to me.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Probably the best version
I have for years (at Christmas time) listened to the Pinnock version, which is fantastic. With the Butt/Dunedin Consort & Players, which I have only heard a few times, I think of... Read more
Published 17 months ago by L. M. Jakobsen
Elegant and Intimate
If you're looking for a grandiose and majestic Messiah, then stop reading now. Beecham is the chap. This is a small-scale performance, with twelve singers and around that number of... Read more
Published on 28 April 2009 by Dennis
Worthwhile but not the best
Many of the reviews here miss the point as far as I am concerned. It is not this version versus the very old school of performance. Read more
Published on 23 April 2009 by enthusiast
Messiah
There are so many editions! But this one is crisp, lively and very musical. The one-to-a-part rendition is quite a revelation and the quality of the singing is excellent. Read more
Published on 5 Feb 2009 by David Rosenthal
A superb recording
Handel - Messiah
A stunning recording with excellent solo performances. I doubt that there is a better one.
A stunning recording with excellent solo performances. I doubt that there is a better one.
Published on 1 Feb 2009 by Ken Bowler
"We shall not all sleep..." Sadly, I did.
As so often with recordings raved about by the UK critical establishment, I found this a big let-down. Read more
Published on 28 May 2008 by 12_tone_lizzie
Outstanding Handel
There are many versions of 'Messiah' available, ranging from those with choirs in the hundreds(Sargent. Read more
Published on 11 Jan 2008 by John Moyes
Cut Glass and Crystal
No doubt a fine version - deserving the praise it has been given in the record reviewing press for its polish and precision. Beautifully played and sung. Read more
Published on 17 Dec 2006 by R. C. Ross
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