Handel: Messiah / Davis, Toronto Symphony

$21.98
Label
Chandos
Release Date
November 18, 2016
Format
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    Featuring ⌄
    • COMPOSER
      HANDEL, GEORGE FREDERIC
    • ORCHESTRA / ENSEMBLE
      Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Toronto Symphony Orchestra
    • PERFORMER
      Wall, Deshong, Staples, Relvea, Davis
    Product Details ⌄
    • RELEASE DATE
      November 18, 2016
    • UPC
      095115517628
    • CATALOG NUMBER
      CHSA 5176(2)
    • LABEL
      Chandos
    • NUMBER OF DISCS
      2
    • GENRE
      Chamber Music & Recitals
    Works ⌄

    1. Part I: Sinfonia: Grave - Allegro moderato

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Toronto Symphony Orchestra

      Conductor: Andrew Davis

    2. Part I: Accompanied Recitative: Comfort Ye, Comfort Ye my People (Tenor)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Toronto Symphony Orchestra

      Performer: Andrew Staples

      Conductor: Andrew Davis

    3. Part I: Aria: Ev'ry valley shall be exalted (Tenor)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Toronto Symphony Orchestra

      Performer: Andrew Staples

      Conductor: Andrew Davis

    4. Part I: And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed (Chorus)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Toronto Symphony Orchestra

      Conductor: Andrew Davis

    5. Part I: Accompanied Recitative: Thus saith the Lord (Bass)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Toronto Symphony Orchestra

      Performer: John Relyea

      Conductor: Andrew Davis

    6. Part I: Aria: But who may abide the day of His coming (Mezzo-soprano)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Toronto Symphony Orchestra

      Performer: Elizabeth DeShong

      Conductor: Andrew Davis

    7. Part I: And He shall purify the sons of Levi (Chorus)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Toronto Symphony Orchestra

      Conductor: Andrew Davis

    8. Part I: Recitative: Behold, a Virgin Shall Conceive (Mezzo-soprano)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Toronto Symphony Orchestra

      Performer: Elizabeth DeShong

      Conductor: Andrew Davis

    9. Part I: Air: O Thou that Tellest Good Tidings to Zion (Mezzo-soprano, Chorus)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Toronto Symphony Orchestra

      Performer: Elizabeth DeShong

      Conductor: Andrew Davis

    10. Part I: Accompanied Recitative: For behold, darkness shall cover the earth (Bass)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Toronto Symphony Orchestra

      Performer: John Relyea

      Conductor: Andrew Davis

    11. Part I: Aria: The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light (Bass)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Toronto Symphony Orchestra

      Performer: John Relyea

      Conductor: Andrew Davis

    12. Part I: For unto us a child is born (Chorus)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Toronto Symphony Orchestra

      Conductor: Andrew Davis

    13. Part I: Pastoral Symphony

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Toronto Symphony Orchestra

      Conductor: Andrew Davis

    14. Part I: Accompanied Recitative: There were Shepherds Abiding in the Field (Soprano)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Toronto Symphony Orchestra

      Performer: Erin Wall

      Conductor: Andrew Davis

    15. Part I: Accompanied: And lo, the angel of the Lord (Soprano)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Toronto Symphony Orchestra

      Performer: Erin Wall

      Conductor: Andrew Davis

    16. Part I: Recitative: And the Angel said unto them (Soprano)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Toronto Symphony Orchestra

      Performer: Erin Wall

      Conductor: Andrew Davis

    17. Part I: Recitative: And suddenly there was the angel (Soprano)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Toronto Symphony Orchestra

      Performer: Erin Wall

      Conductor: Andrew Davis

    18. Part I: Glory to God in the highest (Chorus)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Toronto Symphony Orchestra

      Conductor: Andrew Davis

    19. Part I: Aria: Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion (Soprano)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Toronto Symphony Orchestra

      Performer: Erin Wall

      Conductor: Andrew Davis

    20. Part I: Recitative: Then shall the eyes of the blind be open'd (Mezzo-soprano)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Toronto Symphony Orchestra

      Performer: Elizabeth DeShong

      Conductor: Andrew Davis

    21. Part I: Duet: He shall feed His flock (Mezzo-soprano, Soprano)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Toronto Symphony Orchestra

      Performer: Elizabeth DeShong, Erin Wall

      Conductor: Andrew Davis

    22. Part I: His yoke is easy. Not too fast and with lots of bounce! (Chorus)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Toronto Symphony Orchestra

      Conductor: Andrew Davis

    23. Part II: Behold the Lamb of God (Chorus)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Toronto Symphony Orchestra

      Conductor: Andrew Davis

    24. Part II: Aria: He was despised and rejected of men (Mezzo-soprano)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Toronto Symphony Orchestra

      Performer: Elizabeth DeShong

      Conductor: Andrew Davis

    25. Part II: Surely, He hath borne our griefs and carried our sorrows (Chorus)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Toronto Symphony Orchestra

      Conductor: Andrew Davis

    26. Part II: And with His stripes we are healed (Chorus)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Toronto Symphony Orchestra

      Conductor: Andrew Davis

    27. Part II: All we like sheep have gone astray (Chorus)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Toronto Symphony Orchestra

      Conductor: Andrew Davis

    28. Part II: Accompanied Recitative: All they that see Him laugh (Tenor)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Toronto Symphony Orchestra

      Performer: Andrew Staples

      Conductor: Andrew Davis

    29. Part II: He trusted in God that He would deliver Him (Chorus)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Toronto Symphony Orchestra

      Conductor: Andrew Davis

    30. Part II: Accompanied Recitative: Thy rebuke hath broken His heart (Tenor)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Toronto Symphony Orchestra

      Performer: Andrew Staples

      Conductor: Andrew Davis

    31. Part II: Arioso: Behold, and see if there be any sorrow (Tenor)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Toronto Symphony Orchestra

      Performer: Andrew Staples

      Conductor: Andrew Davis

    32. Part II: Accompanied Recitative: He was cut off out of the land (Tenor)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Toronto Symphony Orchestra

      Performer: Andrew Staples

      Conductor: Andrew Davis

    33. Part II: Air: But Thou Didst not Leave his Soul in Hell (Tenor)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Toronto Symphony Orchestra

      Performer: Andrew Staples

      Conductor: Andrew Davis

    34. Part II: Lift up your heads (Chorus)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Toronto Symphony Orchestra

      Conductor: Andrew Davis

    35. Part II: The Lord gave the word (Chorus)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Toronto Symphony Orchestra

      Conductor: Andrew Davis

    36. Part II: Duet: How beautiful are the feet of Him that bringeth glad tidings of salvation (Soprano)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Toronto Symphony Orchestra

      Performer: Erin Wall

      Conductor: Andrew Davis

    37. Part II: Aria: Why do the nations (Bass)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Toronto Symphony Orchestra

      Performer: John Relyea

      Conductor: Andrew Davis

    38. Part II: Let us break their bonds (Chorus)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Toronto Symphony Orchestra

      Conductor: Andrew Davis

    39. Part II: Recitative: He that dwelleth in heaven shall laugh them to scorn (Tenor)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Toronto Symphony Orchestra

      Performer: Andrew Staples

      Conductor: Andrew Davis

    40. Part II: Aria: Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron (Tenor)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Toronto Symphony Orchestra

      Conductor: Andrew Davis

    41. Part II: Hallelujah! (Chorus)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Toronto Symphony Orchestra

      Conductor: Andrew Davis

    42. Part III: Aria: I know that my Redeemer liveth (Soprano)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Toronto Symphony Orchestra

      Performer: Erin Wall

      Conductor: Andrew Davis

    43. Part III: Since by man came death (Chorus)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Toronto Symphony Orchestra

      Conductor: Andrew Davis

    44. Part III: Recitative: Behold, I tell you a mystery (Bass)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Toronto Symphony Orchestra

      Performer: John Relyea

      Conductor: Andrew Davis

    45. Part III: Aria: The trumpet shall sound (Bass)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Toronto Symphony Orchestra

      Performer: John Relyea

      Conductor: Andrew Davis

    46. Part III: Worthy is the Lamb that was slain (Chorus)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Toronto Symphony Orchestra

      Conductor: Andrew Davis


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