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Handel: Messiah / Davis, Toronto Symphony
Chandos

Handel: Messiah / Davis, Toronto Symphony

$21.98
$43.99 Save 50%

Details

Composer
HANDEL, GEORGE FREDERIC
Artist
Wall, Deshong, Staples, Relvea, Davis
Format
SACD
Label
Chandos
Released
Nov 18, 2016
Catalog #
CHSA 5176(2)
UPC
095115517628

About

Experience the transcendent glory of Messiah in Sir Andrew Davis’s majestic, must-hear edition of Handel’s beloved classic. Recorded live on SACD, this unique version makes use of all the colours available from the modern symphony orchestra to underline the mood and meaning of the individual movements. Without detracting from the innate power of the original, the conductor’s score calls for moments of drama, pathos, and even, sometimes, whimsicality. It is supported by substantial brass and woodwind forces, and several percussion instruments (including marimba!).

REVIEW:

The performance is lightly cut, mainly toward the ends of Parts II and III, and both da capo arias (‘He was despised’ and ‘The trumpet shall sound’) have only the A section. Most of the ornamentation, including simple appoggiaturas, is omitted, as well as most occasions for what I call justified rhythms, where, say, upbeat eighth notes are taken as sixteenths to match other parts. Where choices are available, the common ones prevail, as in the 4/4 ‘Rejoice’ and the duet version of ‘He shall feed his flock’.

Tempos are crisp and modern, and the performers are all very good. The four soloists (with mezzo, not countertenor) are first rate; and the choir, which must number around 150, sings with the agility of much smaller groups. This is a “big” Messiah with none of the problems we normally associate with such endeavors. I guess we could call it “historically informed” because tempos are brisk and the spirit is not at all romantic. It also struck me as a gentle repudiation of Musicological Correctness—and that is no doubt a good thing. I dare say that if you had a contest lining up all the approaches to Messiah and had a review panel consisting of people with no musicological prejudices, this would be the winner.

-- American Record Guide

Tracklist 46 tracks

  1. Disc 1
  2. 1 Part I: Sinfonia: Grave - Allegro moderato 03:37
    Track
    1
    Title
    Part I: Sinfonia: Grave - Allegro moderato
    Duration
    03:37
    Composer
    George Frideric Handel
    Ensemble
    Toronto Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  3. 2 Part I: Accompanied Recitative: Comfort Ye, Comfort Ye my People (Tenor) 02:33
    Track
    2
    Title
    Part I: Accompanied Recitative: Comfort Ye, Comfort Ye my People (Tenor)
    Duration
    02:33
    Composer
    George Frideric Handel
    Performer
    Andrew Staples
    Ensemble
    Toronto Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  4. 3 Part I: Aria: Ev'ry valley shall be exalted (Tenor) 03:21
    Track
    3
    Title
    Part I: Aria: Ev'ry valley shall be exalted (Tenor)
    Duration
    03:21
    Composer
    George Frideric Handel
    Performer
    Andrew Staples
    Ensemble
    Toronto Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  5. 4 Part I: And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed (Chorus) 02:35
    Track
    4
    Title
    Part I: And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed (Chorus)
    Duration
    02:35
    Composer
    George Frideric Handel
    Ensemble
    Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Toronto Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  6. 5 Part I: Accompanied Recitative: Thus saith the Lord (Bass) 01:31
    Track
    5
    Title
    Part I: Accompanied Recitative: Thus saith the Lord (Bass)
    Duration
    01:31
    Composer
    George Frideric Handel
    Performer
    John Relyea
    Ensemble
    Toronto Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  7. 6 Part I: Aria: But who may abide the day of His coming (Mezzo-soprano) 04:01
    Track
    6
    Title
    Part I: Aria: But who may abide the day of His coming (Mezzo-soprano)
    Duration
    04:01
    Composer
    George Frideric Handel
    Performer
    Elizabeth DeShong
    Ensemble
    Toronto Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  8. 7 Part I: And He shall purify the sons of Levi (Chorus) 02:31
    Track
    7
    Title
    Part I: And He shall purify the sons of Levi (Chorus)
    Duration
    02:31
    Composer
    George Frideric Handel
    Ensemble
    Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Toronto Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  9. 8 Part I: Recitative: Behold, a Virgin Shall Conceive (Mezzo-soprano) 00:29
    Track
    8
    Title
    Part I: Recitative: Behold, a Virgin Shall Conceive (Mezzo-soprano)
    Duration
    00:29
    Composer
    George Frideric Handel
    Performer
    Elizabeth DeShong
    Ensemble
    Toronto Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  10. 9 Part I: Air: O Thou that Tellest Good Tidings to Zion (Mezzo-soprano, Chorus) 05:07
    Track
    9
    Title
    Part I: Air: O Thou that Tellest Good Tidings to Zion (Mezzo-soprano, Chorus)
    Duration
    05:07
    Composer
    George Frideric Handel
    Performer
    Elizabeth DeShong
    Ensemble
    Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Toronto Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  11. 10 Part I: Accompanied Recitative: For behold, darkness shall cover the earth (Bass) 02:20
    Track
    10
    Title
    Part I: Accompanied Recitative: For behold, darkness shall cover the earth (Bass)
    Duration
    02:20
    Composer
    George Frideric Handel
    Performer
    John Relyea
    Ensemble
    Toronto Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  12. 11 Part I: Aria: The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light (Bass) 03:09
    Track
    11
    Title
    Part I: Aria: The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light (Bass)
    Duration
    03:09
    Composer
    George Frideric Handel
    Performer
    John Relyea
    Ensemble
    Toronto Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  13. 12 Part I: For unto us a child is born (Chorus) 04:04
    Track
    12
    Title
    Part I: For unto us a child is born (Chorus)
    Duration
    04:04
    Composer
    George Frideric Handel
    Ensemble
    Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Toronto Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  14. 13 Part I: Pastoral Symphony 00:53
    Track
    13
    Title
    Part I: Pastoral Symphony
    Duration
    00:53
    Composer
    George Frideric Handel
    Ensemble
    Toronto Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  15. 14 Part I: Accompanied Recitative: There were Shepherds Abiding in the Field (Soprano) 00:14
    Track
    14
    Title
    Part I: Accompanied Recitative: There were Shepherds Abiding in the Field (Soprano)
    Duration
    00:14
    Composer
    George Frideric Handel
    Performer
    Erin Wall
    Ensemble
    Toronto Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  16. 15 Part I: Accompanied: And lo, the angel of the Lord (Soprano) 00:21
    Track
    15
    Title
    Part I: Accompanied: And lo, the angel of the Lord (Soprano)
    Duration
    00:21
    Composer
    George Frideric Handel
    Performer
    Erin Wall
    Ensemble
    Toronto Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  17. 16 Part I: Recitative: And the Angel said unto them (Soprano) 00:38
    Track
    16
    Title
    Part I: Recitative: And the Angel said unto them (Soprano)
    Duration
    00:38
    Composer
    George Frideric Handel
    Performer
    Erin Wall
    Ensemble
    Toronto Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  18. 17 Part I: Recitative: And suddenly there was the angel (Soprano) 00:18
    Track
    17
    Title
    Part I: Recitative: And suddenly there was the angel (Soprano)
    Duration
    00:18
    Composer
    George Frideric Handel
    Performer
    Erin Wall
    Ensemble
    Toronto Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  19. 18 Part I: Glory to God in the highest (Chorus) 02:04
    Track
    18
    Title
    Part I: Glory to God in the highest (Chorus)
    Duration
    02:04
    Composer
    George Frideric Handel
    Ensemble
    Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Toronto Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  20. 19 Part I: Aria: Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion (Soprano) 04:45
    Track
    19
    Title
    Part I: Aria: Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion (Soprano)
    Duration
    04:45
    Composer
    George Frideric Handel
    Performer
    Erin Wall
    Ensemble
    Toronto Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  21. 20 Part I: Recitative: Then shall the eyes of the blind be open'd (Mezzo-soprano) 00:28
    Track
    20
    Title
    Part I: Recitative: Then shall the eyes of the blind be open'd (Mezzo-soprano)
    Duration
    00:28
    Composer
    George Frideric Handel
    Performer
    Elizabeth DeShong
    Ensemble
    Toronto Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  22. 21 Part I: Duet: He shall feed His flock (Mezzo-soprano, Soprano) 05:21
    Track
    21
    Title
    Part I: Duet: He shall feed His flock (Mezzo-soprano, Soprano)
    Duration
    05:21
    Composer
    George Frideric Handel
    Performer
    Elizabeth DeShong, Erin Wall
    Ensemble
    Toronto Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  23. 22 Part I: His yoke is easy. Not too fast and with lots of bounce! (Chorus) 02:24
    Track
    22
    Title
    Part I: His yoke is easy. Not too fast and with lots of bounce! (Chorus)
    Duration
    02:24
    Composer
    George Frideric Handel
    Ensemble
    Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Toronto Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  24. Disc 2
  25. 1 Part II: Behold the Lamb of God (Chorus) 02:56
    Track
    1
    Title
    Part II: Behold the Lamb of God (Chorus)
    Duration
    02:56
    Composer
    George Frideric Handel
    Ensemble
    Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Toronto Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  26. 2 Part II: Aria: He was despised and rejected of men (Mezzo-soprano) 05:11
    Track
    2
    Title
    Part II: Aria: He was despised and rejected of men (Mezzo-soprano)
    Duration
    05:11
    Composer
    George Frideric Handel
    Performer
    Elizabeth DeShong
    Ensemble
    Toronto Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  27. 3 Part II: Surely, He hath borne our griefs and carried our sorrows (Chorus) 01:54
    Track
    3
    Title
    Part II: Surely, He hath borne our griefs and carried our sorrows (Chorus)
    Duration
    01:54
    Composer
    George Frideric Handel
    Ensemble
    Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Toronto Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  28. 4 Part II: And with His stripes we are healed (Chorus) 01:49
    Track
    4
    Title
    Part II: And with His stripes we are healed (Chorus)
    Duration
    01:49
    Composer
    George Frideric Handel
    Ensemble
    Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Toronto Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  29. 5 Part II: All we like sheep have gone astray (Chorus) 03:56
    Track
    5
    Title
    Part II: All we like sheep have gone astray (Chorus)
    Duration
    03:56
    Composer
    George Frideric Handel
    Ensemble
    Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Toronto Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  30. 6 Part II: Accompanied Recitative: All they that see Him laugh (Tenor) 00:43
    Track
    6
    Title
    Part II: Accompanied Recitative: All they that see Him laugh (Tenor)
    Duration
    00:43
    Composer
    George Frideric Handel
    Performer
    Andrew Staples
    Ensemble
    Toronto Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  31. 7 Part II: He trusted in God that He would deliver Him (Chorus) 02:20
    Track
    7
    Title
    Part II: He trusted in God that He would deliver Him (Chorus)
    Duration
    02:20
    Composer
    George Frideric Handel
    Ensemble
    Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Toronto Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  32. 8 Part II: Accompanied Recitative: Thy rebuke hath broken His heart (Tenor) 01:42
    Track
    8
    Title
    Part II: Accompanied Recitative: Thy rebuke hath broken His heart (Tenor)
    Duration
    01:42
    Composer
    George Frideric Handel
    Performer
    Andrew Staples
    Ensemble
    Toronto Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  33. 9 Part II: Arioso: Behold, and see if there be any sorrow (Tenor) 01:16
    Track
    9
    Title
    Part II: Arioso: Behold, and see if there be any sorrow (Tenor)
    Duration
    01:16
    Composer
    George Frideric Handel
    Performer
    Andrew Staples
    Ensemble
    Toronto Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  34. 10 Part II: Accompanied Recitative: He was cut off out of the land (Tenor) 00:16
    Track
    10
    Title
    Part II: Accompanied Recitative: He was cut off out of the land (Tenor)
    Duration
    00:16
    Composer
    George Frideric Handel
    Performer
    Andrew Staples
    Ensemble
    Toronto Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  35. 11 Part II: Air: But Thou Didst not Leave his Soul in Hell (Tenor) 02:07
    Track
    11
    Title
    Part II: Air: But Thou Didst not Leave his Soul in Hell (Tenor)
    Duration
    02:07
    Composer
    George Frideric Handel
    Performer
    Andrew Staples
    Ensemble
    Toronto Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  36. 12 Part II: Lift up your heads (Chorus) 03:13
    Track
    12
    Title
    Part II: Lift up your heads (Chorus)
    Duration
    03:13
    Composer
    George Frideric Handel
    Ensemble
    Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Toronto Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  37. 13 Part II: The Lord gave the word (Chorus) 01:00
    Track
    13
    Title
    Part II: The Lord gave the word (Chorus)
    Duration
    01:00
    Composer
    George Frideric Handel
    Ensemble
    Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Toronto Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  38. 14 Part II: Duet: How beautiful are the feet of Him that bringeth glad tidings of salvation (Soprano) 02:07
    Track
    14
    Title
    Part II: Duet: How beautiful are the feet of Him that bringeth glad tidings of salvation (Soprano)
    Duration
    02:07
    Composer
    George Frideric Handel
    Performer
    Erin Wall
    Ensemble
    Toronto Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  39. 15 Part II: Aria: Why do the nations (Bass) 02:52
    Track
    15
    Title
    Part II: Aria: Why do the nations (Bass)
    Duration
    02:52
    Composer
    George Frideric Handel
    Performer
    John Relyea
    Ensemble
    Toronto Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  40. 16 Part II: Let us break their bonds (Chorus) 01:48
    Track
    16
    Title
    Part II: Let us break their bonds (Chorus)
    Duration
    01:48
    Composer
    George Frideric Handel
    Ensemble
    Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Toronto Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  41. 17 Part II: Recitative: He that dwelleth in heaven shall laugh them to scorn (Tenor) 00:15
    Track
    17
    Title
    Part II: Recitative: He that dwelleth in heaven shall laugh them to scorn (Tenor)
    Duration
    00:15
    Composer
    George Frideric Handel
    Performer
    Andrew Staples
    Ensemble
    Toronto Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  42. 18 Part II: Aria: Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron (Tenor) 01:55
    Track
    18
    Title
    Part II: Aria: Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron (Tenor)
    Duration
    01:55
    Composer
    George Frideric Handel
    Ensemble
    Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Toronto Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  43. 19 Part II: Hallelujah! (Chorus) 03:48
    Track
    19
    Title
    Part II: Hallelujah! (Chorus)
    Duration
    03:48
    Composer
    George Frideric Handel
    Ensemble
    Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Toronto Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  44. 20 Part III: Aria: I know that my Redeemer liveth (Soprano) 06:16
    Track
    20
    Title
    Part III: Aria: I know that my Redeemer liveth (Soprano)
    Duration
    06:16
    Composer
    George Frideric Handel
    Performer
    Erin Wall
    Ensemble
    Toronto Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  45. 21 Part III: Since by man came death (Chorus) 02:07
    Track
    21
    Title
    Part III: Since by man came death (Chorus)
    Duration
    02:07
    Composer
    George Frideric Handel
    Ensemble
    Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Toronto Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  46. 22 Part III: Recitative: Behold, I tell you a mystery (Bass) 00:35
    Track
    22
    Title
    Part III: Recitative: Behold, I tell you a mystery (Bass)
    Duration
    00:35
    Composer
    George Frideric Handel
    Performer
    John Relyea
    Ensemble
    Toronto Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  47. 23 Part III: Aria: The trumpet shall sound (Bass) 04:10
    Track
    23
    Title
    Part III: Aria: The trumpet shall sound (Bass)
    Duration
    04:10
    Composer
    George Frideric Handel
    Performer
    John Relyea
    Ensemble
    Toronto Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis
  48. 24 Part III: Worthy is the Lamb that was slain (Chorus) 06:58
    Track
    24
    Title
    Part III: Worthy is the Lamb that was slain (Chorus)
    Duration
    06:58
    Composer
    George Frideric Handel
    Ensemble
    Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Toronto Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Andrew Davis