Handel: Messiah | 
 enlarge | Creators: Georg Friederich Handel, Sir Colin Davis, London Symphony Chorus, London Symphony Orchestra, Heather Harper, Helen Watts, John Wakefield, John Shirley-quirk
Label: Duo
Category: Music
List Price: £10.99
Buy New: £6.44
You Save: £4.55 (41%)
New (36) Used (7) from £6.44
Rating:  5 reviews
Sales Rank: 413
Format: Box Set
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 2
Running Time: 144 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.3
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 4.7 x 0.4
MPN: 438356
UPC: 028943835626
EAN: 0028943835626
ASIN: B00000416H
Release Date: May 10, 1993
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
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| Tracks:
Disc 1
| • | Symphony - London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis | | • | 1. Accompagnato: Comfort ye, My people - John Wakefield, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis | | • | 2. Air: Ev'ry Valley shall be exalted - John Wakefield, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis | | • | 3. Chorus: And the glory of the Lord - London Symphony Chorus, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis | | • | 4. Accompagnato: Thus saith the Lord - John Shirley-Quirk, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis | | • | 5. Air: "But who may abide the day of his coming" - Helen Watts, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis | | • | 6. Chorus: And He shall purify the sons of Levi - London Symphony Chorus, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis | | • | 7. Recit: Behold, a Virgin shall conceive 8. Aria:O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion 9. Coro - Helen Watts, London Symphony Chorus, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis | | • | 10. Accompagnato: For behold, darkness shall cover the earth 11. Aria: The people that walked in darkness - John Shirley-Quirk, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis | | • | 12. Chorus: "For unto us a Child is born" - London Symphony Chorus, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis | | • | 13. Pifa (Pastoral Symphony) - London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis | | • | 14. Recitative: There were shepherds - Accompagnato: And lo, the angel of the Lord - Recitative: And the angel said unto them - Accompagnato: And suddenly - Heather Harper, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis | | • | 15. Chorus: Glory to God in the highest - London Symphony Chorus, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis | | • | 16. Air: Rejoice greatly, o daughter of Zion - Heather Harper, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis | | • | 17a. Recitative: Then shall the eyes of the blind - Helen Watts, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis | | • | 18a. Duet: He shall feed his flock - Heather Harper, Helen Watts, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis | | • | 19. Chorus: His yoke is easy - London Symphony Chorus, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis | | • | 20. Chorus: Behold the Lamb of God - London Symphony Chorus, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis | | • | 21. Air: He was despised - Helen Watts, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis |
Disc 2
| • | Chorus: Surely He hath borne - And with His stripes - All we like sheep - London Symphony Chorus, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis | | • | 25. Accompagnato: All they that see Him - John Wakefield, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis | | • | 26. Chorus: He trusted in God - London Symphony Chorus, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis | | • | 27. Accompagnato: Thy rebuke hath broken His heart - John Wakefield, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis | | • | 28. Arioso: Behold and see - John Wakefield, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis | | • | Recitativo accompagnato: He was cut off - Air: But Thou didst not leave - Heather Harper, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis, John Wakefield | | • | 31. Chorus: Lift up your heads - London Symphony Chorus, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis | | • | Recitativo: Unto which of the angels - Chorus: Let all the Angels - John Wakefield, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis, London Symphony Chorus | | • | 34a. Air: "Thou art gone up on high" - Helen Watts, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis, John Shirley-Quirk | | • | 36. Air: How beautiful are the feet - Heather Harper, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis | | • | 37a. Chorus: Their sound is gone out - London Symphony Chorus, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis | | • | 38. Air: Why do the nations - John Shirley-Quirk, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis | | • | 39. Chorus: Let us break their bonds asunder - London Symphony Chorus, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis | | • | Recitativo: He that dwelleth - Air: Thou shalt break them - John Wakefield, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis | | • | 42. Chorus: "Hallelujah" - London Symphony Chorus, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis | | • | 43. Air: I know that my Redeemer liveth - Heather Harper, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis | | • | 44. Chorus: Since by man came death - London Symphony Chorus, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis | | • | 45. Accompagnato: Behold, I tell you a mystery - John Shirley-Quirk, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis | | • | 46. Air: The trumpet shall sound - John Shirley-Quirk, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis | | • | Recitativo: Then shall be brought - Duet: O death were is thy sting - Chorus: But thanks be to God - Helen Watts, John Wakefield, London Symphony Chorus, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis | | • | Chorus: 23. The Lord gave the word - London Symphony Chorus, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis | | • | 50. Air: If God be for us - Heather Harper, Helen Watts, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis | | • | 51. Chorus: Worthy is the Lamb... Amen - London Symphony Chorus, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis |
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| Customer Reviews:
Yes, Yes, Yes! October 21, 2008
E. Snelling (Portrush, Antrim United Kingdom)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
This is more like it. I bought the Harry Christopher/Sixteen version and was left unmoved by it. This however, was sublime - fantastic soloists, an orchestra and chorus that sounded as if they meant it, a wonderful range of emotion beautifully realised. To me this is what a performance of the Messiah should sound like. The other reviewers got this one spot-on. I can only 'rejoice greatly' for such a recording.
 vigorously dramatic, and a typical recording, but not clear June 1, 2008
Thomas Neal (England)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
In the same way that Naxos' New College Oxford recording of "Messiah" is an example of the English Cathedral tradition, this recording is a great sample of the choral society tradition. Although the recording includes some huge names from the world of classical music, I was not over-enthralled by the recording as a whole. The age of the recording (1966) is made obvious in the quality of sound, and the entire ensemble is too big to hear the words properly, and of course this is reflected in the acoustic. The presentation is acceptable, but there are few programme notes and no copy of the text. However, what this recording does have is drama and vigour in abundance.
Both the choir and orchestra sing well and accurately enough, and the soloists are OK too - it is probably Helen Watts who gives the best performance on this disc, especially in the aria "But who may abide", when the rich sonorities of her voice are fully demonstrated.
In many ways whichever Messiah recording one buys rests on what one is looking for. If you would like to hear a performance in the true choral society tradition - like one might hear every year in Huddersfield - then look no further, as this is the finest recording in that tradition. But if you would prefer a recording in the Cathedral tradition, look for Naxos' New College Oxford recording - a superbly accurate and precise recording with the Academy of Ancient Music, outstanding soloists, perfect acoustic, and a truly authentic Baroque performance (note, however, that this recording varies slightly from the score we know so well, as it is the composer's 1751 edition, although I found it to be even more enjoyable!)
To correct previous reviews December 7, 2007
Papageno (Devon,South West, England)
14 out of 14 found this review helpful
This recording was made in 1966, so is all the more remarkable, considering the plethera of recordings to date. John Wakefield is an unsual choice, with a suitable heroic ring to the voice. John Shirley-Quirk, as ever, brilliant, with Helen Watts a smooth and sonorous Contralto. The final soloist, Heather Harper is fresh and brilliant of sound. The whole direction by Sir Colin Davis, with the LSO is captivating. Do not miss this chance to own.
The best recording to date October 30, 2007
Beatrice Nano (London)
22 out of 22 found this review helpful
Don't be put off by the fact that the original recording was made in the 1980s. It's been re-engineered and is simply top notch! This is by far the best recording I've ever come across. The fact that it's on a Phillips label doesn't hurt either. The orchestra (LSO)is just right--not too heavy, not too light, and the interpretations are superb. Can't go wrong with the label, the orchestra, or the composer.
Golden oldie December 10, 2004
80 out of 82 found this review helpful
This is a CD version of an 80's recording which is so good I've stuck with it rather than going for a newer one. The LSO chorus are excellent, light-footed and accurate; Colin Davis takes them through some of the numbers at high speed but they make it sound easy (it isn't, as anyone who's sung Messiah will know). Helen Watts is a beautiful and moving alto soloist and John Shirley-Quirk is also outstanding.
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