Music Lane: Messiah Time again.. by billeames

Its early November, and people start thinking of Christmas. So many tripe Christmas albums are sold, but Messiah, is truly a sturdy masterpiece. You can't go wrong if you love oratorios. Most of my friends don't, that's their opinion, I suppose.

Such an excellent work; all the pieces seem to be good. I never waste my time on excerpts, since the full version can be so cheap these days. The below recommendations are merely my own opinion, and opinions do vary! But I have been listening to this work for 28 years. Back in 1980 choices were more limited.

It is recommended to play your Messiah's on good systems. Otherwise you won't get the full appreciation of it. Imagine Handel writing this in 3 weeks. Just changing a CD player within a system has given me completely differing conclusions.

Christmas is a month away, and Handel Messiah is always played in my room during that season. I have some. The first one I listened to back in 1980 while trying to memorize the Hallelujah chorus for a church choir, was the first London performance of 23 March 1743, it has the short version of "Why do the Nations Rage". It has crisp direction, light clear choirs (transparent). It moves right along, with well articulated choirs. "Thus Saith" The Lord has an different melody than the usual. Being a Double Decca (decker) its a bargain. Lots of double dotting. A perfectly good one that is played to the hilt. Choral and orchestral balance seems a priority here.

The Colin Davis version one of 1966 is a favorite of mine. It has many admirers and is on top of lots of reviewer's lists. It is the original version, and has long version of "Why do the Nations Rage". Its available as Philips DUO. It is played with gusto, choir not as transparent as the ASMF Chorus. I love the interesting use of tympani at the AMEN, no drum roll like the others, a single hit on the last note.

Colin did 2 more, a recent one on LSO label, I have it, seems uninspired. Now to that hated Messiah: The infamous 1984 on in Munich. It is only avail in Australia or Japan, as an Eloquence import. Fanfare magazine said it was a very bad one. Too bad, as I disagree. I feel it has power, a great choir, maybe too ponderous for some. A loud and boisterous choir in my opinion. Alas, Colin on the last note reverts to the drum roll like most Messiah, but little matter, it still has the long "Why do the Nations Rage". I recommend this one despite the critics, it was Long Out of Print, and made available recently in Australia, so better grab it while you can. 2 CD's for about $10. Ah but the shipping can set you back maybe $6.

Another really great Messiah is EMI Mackerras. Too bad its deleted. Great soloists like 1966 Colin Davis. May be avail in France or Japan. Unusual choices (How Beautiful Are the Feet is a duet), Their Sound has gone out is different than usual. Lots of violin trills. Talk about energy!. A little too slow in some places. But was a precursor to Original Instrument performances you hear these days. The Trumpet shall sound: Philip Jones can play a trumpet, eh, better than most I would say. Sound is OK but like in a big space.

Looking for excitement, Beecham is for you. His RCA one is still available, and uses inaccurate instrumentation, but excitingly so. I like it.

Robert Shaw on Telarc, has been widely praised especially on Fanfare magazine, no mean feat. Excellent chorus and good orchestra. Some of the playing is a fit foursquare but perfectly fine. A good version, not too exciting, but a good middling version.

The HM one by McGegan, is not as virtuosic as most, however a lot of alternate pieces included which makes it a valuable version to have. It employs performers from the Bay Area and at full price.

Apollo's Fire is a recent Messiah, done by Cleveland Baroque Orchestra, Jeannette Sorrell. It is good except that recording is a little too reverberant in my opinion, done live in 1995. www.apollosfire.org. It has short version of "Why do the Nations..", which is not my preference. Overall good sound except as noted above. Sometimes they start songs with less than full force which is fine, as long as power comes out later.

Gardiner 1984 Philips, a famous one. Great chorus, very incisive, a lot creshendos within notes. Creative piano (quiet voices) used to enhance the drama. Listen to the Hallelujah chorus, you will hear what I mean. He is taking the express train, it is fast. Love the tympani at the end of Amen chorus. One of the top ones. Available on 2 Full price CD's

Pinnock on Archiv, great except I am not impressed by the bass, sorry. Its avail on DG originals outside of the cultural desert, USA. Full price in USA. Long version of "Nations".

A really good one is Parrot on Virgin at a cheap price. Only disadvantage in my ears, is the short version of "Why do the Nations..". I like the timbre of the choir, tympani is a little laid back. .

Pearlman Telarc is excellent, very nicely judged. Very bouncy. Long version of "Nations". Very good sound. A top contender for Original instruments. Its a surprise to me.

Hogwood is another famous one. If you like boys voices. To be honest, I have not heard Minkowski, Mackerras Mozart instrumentation (Archiv), McCreesh, or the newer Rutter. I have heard about Tobin in Fanfare, however never seen or heard it. I have heard excerpts from Leppard, I will hold judgement, initially it does not seem to stand out.

There are really no Bad Messiah's, but the Colin Davis LSO one on LSO label comes close, unexciting, hum drum. His previous ones are excellent in my opinion. The highly touted Andrew Davis on EMI; I had it for about 10 years, could not get over the distant sound. It uses the old fashioned large orchestra and chorus. Ormandy and Bernstein does not do much for me, sorry. I never seriously considered Solti. There is one on Sparrow records sold in christian bookstores, heard only a little of, nothing to brag about. Richter on DG, sorry, not good.

I would like to see what Gustavo Dudamel an upstart from Latin America does with it. He needs more experience, as his previous recordings are ardent, and energetic, but not really insightful YET.

In summary its very hard to choose 7 favorites. If forced I would say Davis 1966, and 1984, Pearlman Telarc, Gardiner Philips, Mackerras EMI, Beecham RCA, Marriner Decca. If truly forced to reduce the count, the modern instruments favorite is Davis 1966, and Original Instruments one Pearlman or Gardiner!

Have fun, so many choices.