Handel: Messiah, Colin Davis, Music CD

Handel: Messiah
1.	Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56 2:23:03
	Composed by George Frideric Handel
	Conducted by Colin Davis and John Alldis
	Performed by Ralph Downes, Heather Harper, London Symphony Chorus, London Symphony Orchestra, Leslie Pearson, John Shirley-Quirk, Helen Watts, William Lang and John Wakefield

Biography

Editorial Reviews

Handel composed his oratorio Messiah in less than a month. According to his own account, he wrote at white heat, hardly stopping to eat or sleep, and his extraordinary inspiration is evident in every measure. Although it is one of the most popular works in the classical repertory -- and has been almost since its first performance -- it still sounds remarkably fresh. There are many recordings of Messiah to choose from, and each offers a slightly different perspective. Since this one was first released in the late '60s, attitudes about the performance of Baroque music have changed dramatically. But this performance has stood the test of time remarkably well: It's stylish and buoyant, the singing is magnificent, and it has a warmth of feeling that many newer, more "authentically" Baroque, interpretations sorely lack. It's now available in spruced-up sound, on two budget-priced discs: a heavenly bargain. Andrew Farach-Colton, Barnes & Noble

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Handel: Messiah
1.	Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56 2:23:03
	Composed by George Frideric Handel
	Conducted by Colin Davis and John Alldis
	Performed by Ralph Downes, Heather Harper, London Symphony Chorus, London Symphony Orchestra, Leslie Pearson, John Shirley-Quirk, Helen Watts, William Lang and John Wakefield

Barnes & Noble

Handel composed his oratorio Messiah in less than a month. According to his own account, he wrote at white heat, hardly stopping to eat or sleep, and his extraordinary inspiration is evident in every measure. Although it is one of the most popular works in the classical repertory -- and has been almost since its first performance -- it still sounds remarkably fresh. There are many recordings of Messiah to choose from, and each offers a slightly different perspective. Since this one was first released in the late '60s, attitudes about the performance of Baroque music have changed dramatically. But this performance has stood the test of time remarkably well: It's stylish and buoyant, the singing is magnificent, and it has a warmth of feeling that many newer, more "authentically" Baroque, interpretations sorely lack. It's now available in spruced-up sound, on two budget-priced discs: a heavenly bargain. Andrew Farach-Colton

Product Details

Format: CD
Release Date: 11/09/1993
Label: PHILIPS
Catalog No.: 438356
UPC: 028943835626
Sales Rank: 10,196

Album Credits
Performance Credits
Colin Davis		Primary Artist