Handel: Messiah / Christophers, Handel & Haydn Society
Details
- Composer
- HANDEL, GEORGE FRIDERIC
- Artist
- Messiah
- Format
- CD
- Label
- Coro
- Released
- Sep 29, 2014
- Catalog #
- COR16125
- UPC
- 828021612527
About
Dramatic, highly-colored music from one of the most approachable and individual voices in contemporary music.
Handel’s ever-popular Messiah was recorded live in the superb acoustic of Boston’s Symphony Hall, to mark the 200th anniversary of the founding of the Handel and Haydn Society, America’s longest-standing performing arts organization. Messiah was first performed in Dublin in 1742 and the Handel and Haydn Society gave the first complete performance of the work in the USA in 1818. It has been performed annually in Boston as part of the Handel and Haydn Society concert season every year since 1854.
REVIEWS:
In his rendering of the score, Harry Christophers eloquently guides us through the entire oratorio with a steady hand and firm conviction. The tempi are sprightly where they ought to be, even sparkling like jewels at times—but not blazing as if on fire—and are equally slackened when they need to be. Further, the text is not merely declaimed; rather, every word is expressed!
The period instrument orchestra plays each and every note, trill, and ornament to perfection. As one would expect, the soloists are likewise fantastic. Soprano Gillian Keith, countertenor Daniel Taylor, tenor Tom Randle, and baritone Sumner Thompson off er impressive virtuoso contributions.
The chorus’s full-bodied yet accurate ensemble singing perked up these ears from the very first pitch of “And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed” all the way through “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain” and the mammoth, closing “Amen.”
– Choral Journal
Tracklist 50 tracks
- Disc 1
-
1 Part I: Sinfony 03:05
- Track
- 1
- Title
- Part I: Sinfony
- Duration
- 03:05
- Composer
- George Frideric Handel
- Ensemble
- Handel and Haydn Society Orchestra
- Conductor
- Harry Christophers
-
2 Part I: Accompagnato: Comfort ye my people (Tenor) 02:39
- Track
- 2
- Title
- Part I: Accompagnato: Comfort ye my people (Tenor)
- Duration
- 02:39
- Composer
- George Frideric Handel
- Performer
- Tom Randle
- Ensemble
- Handel and Haydn Society Orchestra
- Conductor
- Harry Christophers
-
3 Part I: Aria: Ev'ry valley shall be exalted (Tenor) 03:10
- Track
- 3
- Title
- Part I: Aria: Ev'ry valley shall be exalted (Tenor)
- Duration
- 03:10
- Composer
- George Frideric Handel
- Performer
- Tom Randle
- Ensemble
- Handel and Haydn Society Orchestra
- Conductor
- Harry Christophers
-
4 Part I: And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed (Chorus) 02:53
- Track
- 4
- Title
- Part I: And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed (Chorus)
- Duration
- 02:53
- Composer
- George Frideric Handel
- Ensemble
- Handel and Haydn Society Chorus, Handel and Haydn Society Orchestra
- Conductor
- Harry Christophers
-
5 Part I: Accompagnato: Thus saith the Lord of Hosts (Bass) 01:21
- Track
- 5
- Title
- Part I: Accompagnato: Thus saith the Lord of Hosts (Bass)
- Duration
- 01:21
- Composer
- George Frideric Handel
- Performer
- Sumner Thompson
- Ensemble
- Handel and Haydn Society Orchestra
- Conductor
- Harry Christophers
-
6 Part I: Aria: But who may abide the day of His coming (Alto) 04:21
- Track
- 6
- Title
- Part I: Aria: But who may abide the day of His coming (Alto)
- Duration
- 04:21
- Composer
- George Frideric Handel
- Performer
- Daniel Taylor
- Ensemble
- Handel and Haydn Society Orchestra
- Conductor
- Harry Christophers
-
7 Part I: And He shall purify (Chorus) 02:30
- Track
- 7
- Title
- Part I: And He shall purify (Chorus)
- Duration
- 02:30
- Composer
- George Frideric Handel
- Ensemble
- Handel and Haydn Society Chorus, Handel and Haydn Society Orchestra
- Conductor
- Harry Christophers
-
8 Part I: Recitative: Behold, a virgin shall conceive (Alto) 00:27
- Track
- 8
- Title
- Part I: Recitative: Behold, a virgin shall conceive (Alto)
- Duration
- 00:27
- Composer
- George Frideric Handel
- Performer
- Daniel Taylor
- Ensemble
- Handel and Haydn Society Orchestra
- Conductor
- Harry Christophers
-
9 Part I: Aria: O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion (Alto, Chorus) 04:55
- Track
- 9
- Title
- Part I: Aria: O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion (Alto, Chorus)
- Duration
- 04:55
- Composer
- George Frideric Handel
- Performer
- Daniel Taylor
- Ensemble
- Handel and Haydn Society Chorus, Handel and Haydn Society Orchestra
- Conductor
- Harry Christophers
-
10 Part I: Accompagnato: For behold, darkness shall cover the earth (Bass) 02:15
- Track
- 10
- Title
- Part I: Accompagnato: For behold, darkness shall cover the earth (Bass)
- Duration
- 02:15
- Composer
- George Frideric Handel
- Performer
- Sumner Thompson
- Ensemble
- Handel and Haydn Society Orchestra
- Conductor
- Harry Christophers
-
11 Part I: Aria: The people that walked in darkness (Bass) 03:02
- Track
- 11
- Title
- Part I: Aria: The people that walked in darkness (Bass)
- Duration
- 03:02
- Composer
- George Frideric Handel
- Performer
- Sumner Thompson
- Ensemble
- Handel and Haydn Society Orchestra
- Conductor
- Harry Christophers
-
12 Part I: For unto us a child is born (Chorus) 03:52
- Track
- 12
- Title
- Part I: For unto us a child is born (Chorus)
- Duration
- 03:52
- Composer
- George Frideric Handel
- Ensemble
- Handel and Haydn Society Chorus, Handel and Haydn Society Orchestra
- Conductor
- Harry Christophers
-
13 Part I: Pifa (Pastoral Symphony) 02:38
- Track
- 13
- Title
- Part I: Pifa (Pastoral Symphony)
- Duration
- 02:38
- Composer
- George Frideric Handel
- Ensemble
- Handel and Haydn Society Orchestra
- Conductor
- Harry Christophers
-
14 Part I: Recitative: There were shepherds abiding in the field - And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them - And the angel said unto them: Fear not (Soprano) 01:05
- Track
- 14
- Title
- Part I: Recitative: There were shepherds abiding in the field - And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them - And the angel said unto them: Fear not (Soprano)
- Duration
- 01:05
- Composer
- George Frideric Handel
- Performer
- Gillian Keith
- Ensemble
- Handel and Haydn Society Orchestra
- Conductor
- Harry Christophers
-
15 Part I: Accompagnato: And suddenly there was with the angel (Soprano) - Glory to God in the highest (Chorus) 02:09
- Track
- 15
- Title
- Part I: Accompagnato: And suddenly there was with the angel (Soprano) - Glory to God in the highest (Chorus)
- Duration
- 02:09
- Composer
- George Frideric Handel
- Performer
- Gillian Keith
- Ensemble
- Handel and Haydn Society Chorus, Handel and Haydn Society Orchestra
- Conductor
- Harry Christophers
-
16 Part I: Aria: Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion (Soprano) 04:11
- Track
- 16
- Title
- Part I: Aria: Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion (Soprano)
- Duration
- 04:11
- Composer
- George Frideric Handel
- Performer
- Gillian Keith
- Ensemble
- Handel and Haydn Society Orchestra
- Conductor
- Harry Christophers
-
17 Part I: Recitative: Then shall the eyes of the blind be open'd (Alto) 00:30
- Track
- 17
- Title
- Part I: Recitative: Then shall the eyes of the blind be open'd (Alto)
- Duration
- 00:30
- Composer
- George Frideric Handel
- Performer
- Daniel Taylor
- Ensemble
- Handel and Haydn Society Orchestra
- Conductor
- Harry Christophers
-
18 Part I: Aria: He shall feed His flock like a shepherd (Alto, Soprano) 04:59
- Track
- 18
- Title
- Part I: Aria: He shall feed His flock like a shepherd (Alto, Soprano)
- Duration
- 04:59
- Composer
- George Frideric Handel
- Performer
- Daniel Taylor, Gillian Keith
- Ensemble
- Handel and Haydn Society Orchestra
- Conductor
- Harry Christophers
-
19 Part I: His yoke is easy, his burthen is light (Chorus) 02:14
- Track
- 19
- Title
- Part I: His yoke is easy, his burthen is light (Chorus)
- Duration
- 02:14
- Composer
- George Frideric Handel
- Ensemble
- Handel and Haydn Society Chorus, Handel and Haydn Society Orchestra
- Conductor
- Harry Christophers
-
20 Part II: Behold, The Lamb of God (Chorus) 02:44
- Track
- 20
- Title
- Part II: Behold, The Lamb of God (Chorus)
- Duration
- 02:44
- Composer
- George Frideric Handel
- Ensemble
- Handel and Haydn Society Chorus, Handel and Haydn Society Orchestra
- Conductor
- Harry Christophers
-
21 Part II: Aria: He was despised and rejected of men (Alto) 09:41
- Track
- 21
- Title
- Part II: Aria: He was despised and rejected of men (Alto)
- Duration
- 09:41
- Composer
- George Frideric Handel
- Performer
- Daniel Taylor
- Ensemble
- Handel and Haydn Society Orchestra
- Conductor
- Harry Christophers
-
22 Part II: Surely, He hath borne our griefs (Chorus) 01:46
- Track
- 22
- Title
- Part II: Surely, He hath borne our griefs (Chorus)
- Duration
- 01:46
- Composer
- George Frideric Handel
- Ensemble
- Handel and Haydn Society Chorus, Handel and Haydn Society Orchestra
- Conductor
- Harry Christophers
-
23 Part II: And with His stripes we are healed (Chorus) 01:44
- Track
- 23
- Title
- Part II: And with His stripes we are healed (Chorus)
- Duration
- 01:44
- Composer
- George Frideric Handel
- Ensemble
- Handel and Haydn Society Chorus, Handel and Haydn Society Orchestra
- Conductor
- Harry Christophers
-
24 Part II: All we like sheep have gone astray (Chorus) 03:59
- Track
- 24
- Title
- Part II: All we like sheep have gone astray (Chorus)
- Duration
- 03:59
- Composer
- George Frideric Handel
- Ensemble
- Handel and Haydn Society Chorus, Handel and Haydn Society Orchestra
- Conductor
- Harry Christophers
- Disc 2
-
1 Part II: Accompagnato: All they that see Him Laugh Him to scorn (Tenor) 00:44
- Track
- 1
- Title
- Part II: Accompagnato: All they that see Him Laugh Him to scorn (Tenor)
- Duration
- 00:44
- Composer
- George Frideric Handel
- Performer
- Tom Randle
- Ensemble
- Handel and Haydn Society Orchestra
- Conductor
- Harry Christophers
-
2 Part II: He trusted in God that He would deliver Him (Chorus) 02:12
- Track
- 2
- Title
- Part II: He trusted in God that He would deliver Him (Chorus)
- Duration
- 02:12
- Composer
- George Frideric Handel
- Ensemble
- Handel and Haydn Society Chorus, Handel and Haydn Society Orchestra
- Conductor
- Harry Christophers
-
3 Part II: Accompagnato: Thy rebuke hath broken his heart (Tenor) 01:50
- Track
- 3
- Title
- Part II: Accompagnato: Thy rebuke hath broken his heart (Tenor)
- Duration
- 01:50
- Composer
- George Frideric Handel
- Performer
- Tom Randle
- Ensemble
- Handel and Haydn Society Orchestra
- Conductor
- Harry Christophers
-
4 Part II: Arioso: Behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto his sorrow! (Tenor) 01:14
- Track
- 4
- Title
- Part II: Arioso: Behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto his sorrow! (Tenor)
- Duration
- 01:14
- Composer
- George Frideric Handel
- Performer
- Tom Randle
- Ensemble
- Handel and Haydn Society Orchestra
- Conductor
- Harry Christophers
-
5 Part II: Accompagnato: He was cut off out of the land of the living (Tenor) 00:15
- Track
- 5
- Title
- Part II: Accompagnato: He was cut off out of the land of the living (Tenor)
- Duration
- 00:15
- Composer
- George Frideric Handel
- Performer
- Tom Randle
- Ensemble
- Handel and Haydn Society Orchestra
- Conductor
- Harry Christophers
-
6 Part II: Aria: But Thou didst not leave His soul in hell (Tenor) 02:07
- Track
- 6
- Title
- Part II: Aria: But Thou didst not leave His soul in hell (Tenor)
- Duration
- 02:07
- Composer
- George Frideric Handel
- Performer
- Tom Randle
- Ensemble
- Handel and Haydn Society Orchestra
- Conductor
- Harry Christophers
-
7 Part II: Lift up your heads, O ye gates (Chorus) 02:50
- Track
- 7
- Title
- Part II: Lift up your heads, O ye gates (Chorus)
- Duration
- 02:50
- Composer
- George Frideric Handel
- Ensemble
- Handel and Haydn Society Chorus, Handel and Haydn Society Orchestra
- Conductor
- Harry Christophers
-
8 Part II: Recitative: Unto which of the Angels said He at any time (Tenor) - Let all the angels of God worship Him (Chorus) 01:36
- Track
- 8
- Title
- Part II: Recitative: Unto which of the Angels said He at any time (Tenor) - Let all the angels of God worship Him (Chorus)
- Duration
- 01:36
- Composer
- George Frideric Handel
- Performer
- Tom Randle
- Ensemble
- Handel and Haydn Society Chorus, Handel and Haydn Society Orchestra
- Conductor
- Harry Christophers
-
9 Part II: Aria: Thou art gone up on high (Alto) 03:10
- Track
- 9
- Title
- Part II: Aria: Thou art gone up on high (Alto)
- Duration
- 03:10
- Composer
- George Frideric Handel
- Performer
- Daniel Taylor
- Ensemble
- Handel and Haydn Society Orchestra
- Conductor
- Harry Christophers
-
10 Part II: The Lord gave the word (Chorus) 01:01
- Track
- 10
- Title
- Part II: The Lord gave the word (Chorus)
- Duration
- 01:01
- Composer
- George Frideric Handel
- Ensemble
- Handel and Haydn Society Chorus, Handel and Haydn Society Orchestra
- Conductor
- Harry Christophers
-
11 Part II: Aria: How beautiful are the feet (Soprano) 02:04
- Track
- 11
- Title
- Part II: Aria: How beautiful are the feet (Soprano)
- Duration
- 02:04
- Composer
- George Frideric Handel
- Performer
- Gillian Keith
- Ensemble
- Handel and Haydn Society Orchestra
- Conductor
- Harry Christophers
-
12 Part II: Their sound is gone out into all lands (Chorus) 01:19
- Track
- 12
- Title
- Part II: Their sound is gone out into all lands (Chorus)
- Duration
- 01:19
- Composer
- George Frideric Handel
- Ensemble
- Handel and Haydn Society Chorus, Handel and Haydn Society Orchestra
- Conductor
- Harry Christophers
-
13 Part II: Aria: Why do the nations so furiously rage together (Bass) 02:39
- Track
- 13
- Title
- Part II: Aria: Why do the nations so furiously rage together (Bass)
- Duration
- 02:39
- Composer
- George Frideric Handel
- Performer
- Sumner Thompson
- Ensemble
- Handel and Haydn Society Orchestra
- Conductor
- Harry Christophers
-
14 Part II: Let us break their bonds asunder (Chorus) - Recitative: He that dwelleth in heaven shall laugh them to scorn (Tenor) 01:54
- Track
- 14
- Title
- Part II: Let us break their bonds asunder (Chorus) - Recitative: He that dwelleth in heaven shall laugh them to scorn (Tenor)
- Duration
- 01:54
- Composer
- George Frideric Handel
- Performer
- Tom Randle
- Ensemble
- Handel and Haydn Society Chorus, Handel and Haydn Society Orchestra
- Conductor
- Harry Christophers
-
15 Part II: Aria: Thou shalt break them (Tenor) 02:01
- Track
- 15
- Title
- Part II: Aria: Thou shalt break them (Tenor)
- Duration
- 02:01
- Composer
- George Frideric Handel
- Performer
- Tom Randle
- Ensemble
- Handel and Haydn Society Orchestra
- Conductor
- Harry Christophers
-
16 Part II: Hallelujah (Chorus) 03:55
- Track
- 16
- Title
- Part II: Hallelujah (Chorus)
- Duration
- 03:55
- Composer
- George Frideric Handel
- Ensemble
- Handel and Haydn Society Chorus, Handel and Haydn Society Orchestra
- Conductor
- Harry Christophers
-
17 Part III: Aria: I know that my redeemer liveth (Soprano) 05:29
- Track
- 17
- Title
- Part III: Aria: I know that my redeemer liveth (Soprano)
- Duration
- 05:29
- Composer
- George Frideric Handel
- Performer
- Gillian Keith
- Ensemble
- Handel and Haydn Society Orchestra
- Conductor
- Harry Christophers
-
18 Part III: Since by man came death (Chorus) 02:03
- Track
- 18
- Title
- Part III: Since by man came death (Chorus)
- Duration
- 02:03
- Composer
- George Frideric Handel
- Ensemble
- Handel and Haydn Society Chorus, Handel and Haydn Society Orchestra
- Conductor
- Harry Christophers
-
19 Part III: Accompagnato: Behold, I tell you a mystery (Bass) 00:35
- Track
- 19
- Title
- Part III: Accompagnato: Behold, I tell you a mystery (Bass)
- Duration
- 00:35
- Composer
- George Frideric Handel
- Performer
- Sumner Thompson
- Ensemble
- Handel and Haydn Society Orchestra
- Conductor
- Harry Christophers
-
20 Part III: Aria: The trumpet shall sound (Bass) 08:25
- Track
- 20
- Title
- Part III: Aria: The trumpet shall sound (Bass)
- Duration
- 08:25
- Composer
- George Frideric Handel
- Performer
- Sumner Thompson
- Ensemble
- Handel and Haydn Society Orchestra
- Conductor
- Harry Christophers
-
21 Part III: Recitative: Then shall be brought to pass the saying (Alto) 00:16
- Track
- 21
- Title
- Part III: Recitative: Then shall be brought to pass the saying (Alto)
- Duration
- 00:16
- Composer
- George Frideric Handel
- Performer
- Daniel Taylor
- Ensemble
- Handel and Haydn Society Orchestra
- Conductor
- Harry Christophers
-
22 Part III: Duet: O death, where is thy sting (Alto, Tenor) 01:02
- Track
- 22
- Title
- Part III: Duet: O death, where is thy sting (Alto, Tenor)
- Duration
- 01:02
- Composer
- George Frideric Handel
- Performer
- Daniel Taylor, Tom Randle
- Ensemble
- Handel and Haydn Society Orchestra
- Conductor
- Harry Christophers
-
23 Part III: But thanks be to God who giveth us the victory (Chorus) 02:04
- Track
- 23
- Title
- Part III: But thanks be to God who giveth us the victory (Chorus)
- Duration
- 02:04
- Composer
- George Frideric Handel
- Ensemble
- Handel and Haydn Society Chorus, Handel and Haydn Society Orchestra
- Conductor
- Harry Christophers
-
24 Part III: Aria: If God be for us (Soprano) 04:44
- Track
- 24
- Title
- Part III: Aria: If God be for us (Soprano)
- Duration
- 04:44
- Composer
- George Frideric Handel
- Performer
- Gillian Keith
- Ensemble
- Handel and Haydn Society Orchestra
- Conductor
- Harry Christophers
-
25 Part III: Worthy is the Lamb that was slain … (Chorus) 03:07
- Track
- 25
- Title
- Part III: Worthy is the Lamb that was slain … (Chorus)
- Duration
- 03:07
- Composer
- George Frideric Handel
- Ensemble
- Handel and Haydn Society Chorus, Handel and Haydn Society Orchestra
- Conductor
- Harry Christophers
-
26 Part III: Amen (Chorus) 04:24
- Track
- 26
- Title
- Part III: Amen (Chorus)
- Duration
- 04:24
- Composer
- George Frideric Handel
- Ensemble
- Handel and Haydn Society Chorus, Handel and Haydn Society Orchestra
- Conductor
- Harry Christophers