Handel: Messiah / Higginbottom, AAM, Oxford New College Choir

$29.99
Label
Naxos
Release Date
October 31, 2006
Format
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    Featuring ⌄
    • COMPOSER
      HANDEL
    • ORCHESTRA / ENSEMBLE
      Choir Of New College Oxford
    • PERFORMER
      Higginbottom, Soloists
    Product Details ⌄
    • RELEASE DATE
      October 31, 2006
    • UPC
      747313013173
    • CATALOG NUMBER
      8570131-32
    • LABEL
      Naxos
    • NUMBER OF DISCS
      2
    • GENRE
      Choral - Sacred
    Works ⌄

    1. Part I: Sinfonia

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Academy of Ancient Music

      Conductor: Edward Higginbottom

    2. Part I: Comfort Ye, My People

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Academy of Ancient Music

      Performer: Toby Spence

      Conductor: Edward Higginbottom

    3. Part I: Every Valley Shall Be Exalted

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Academy of Ancient Music

      Performer: Toby Spence

      Conductor: Edward Higginbottom

    4. Part I: And the Glory of the Lord

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Choir of New College Oxford, Academy of Ancient Music

      Conductor: Edward Higginbottom

    5. Part I: Thus Saith the Lord of Hosts

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Academy of Ancient Music

      Performer: Eamonn Dougan

      Conductor: Edward Higginbottom

    6. Part I: But Who May Abide the Day of His Coming

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Academy of Ancient Music

      Performer: Iestyn Davies

      Conductor: Edward Higginbottom

    7. Part I: And He Shall Purify

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Choir of New College Oxford, Academy of Ancient Music

      Conductor: Edward Higginbottom

    8. Part I:Behold, a Virgin Shall Conceive, and Bear a Son

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Academy of Ancient Music

      Performer: Iestyn Davies

      Conductor: Edward Higginbottom

    9. Part I: O Thou That Tellest Good Tidings to Zion

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Choir of New College Oxford, Academy of Ancient Music

      Performer: Iestyn Davies

      Conductor: Edward Higginbottom

    10. Part I: For Behold, Darkness Shall Cover the Earth

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Academy of Ancient Music

      Performer: Eamonn Dougan

      Conductor: Edward Higginbottom

    11. Part I: The People That Walked in Darkness

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Academy of Ancient Music

      Performer: Eamonn Dougan

      Conductor: Edward Higginbottom

    12. Part I: For unto Us a Child Is Born

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Choir of New College Oxford, Academy of Ancient Music

      Conductor: Edward Higginbottom

    13. Part I: Pifa

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Academy of Ancient Music

      Conductor: Edward Higginbottom

    14. Part I: There Were Shepherds Abiding in the Field

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Academy of Ancient Music

      Performer: Robert Brooks, Henry Jenkinson

      Conductor: Edward Higginbottom

    15. Part I: Glory to God in the Highest

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Choir of New College Oxford, Academy of Ancient Music

      Conductor: Edward Higginbottom

    16. Part I: Rejoice Greatly, O Daughter of Zion

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Academy of Ancient Music

      Performer: Toby Spence

      Conductor: Edward Higginbottom

    17. Part I: Then Shall the Eyes of the Blind Be Opened

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Academy of Ancient Music

      Performer: Otta Jones

      Conductor: Edward Higginbottom

    18. Part I: He Shall Feed His Flock Like a Shepherd

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Academy of Ancient Music

      Performer: Iestyn Davies, Otta Jones

      Conductor: Edward Higginbottom

    19. Part I: His Yoke Is Easy, His Burthen Is Light

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Choir of New College Oxford, Academy of Ancient Music

      Conductor: Edward Higginbottom

    20. Part II: Behold, the Lamb of God

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Choir of New College Oxford, Academy of Ancient Music

      Conductor: Edward Higginbottom

    21. Part II: He Was Despised and Rejected of Men

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Academy of Ancient Music

      Performer: Iestyn Davies

      Conductor: Edward Higginbottom

    22. Part II: Surely He Hath Borne Our Griefs and Carried Our Sorrows

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Choir of New College Oxford, Academy of Ancient Music

      Conductor: Edward Higginbottom

    23. Part II: And with His Stripes We Are Healed

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Choir of New College Oxford, Academy of Ancient Music

      Conductor: Edward Higginbottom

    24. Part II: All We Like Sheep Have Gone Astray

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Choir of New College Oxford, Academy of Ancient Music

      Conductor: Edward Higginbottom

    25. Part II: All They That See Him, Laugh Him to Scorn

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Choir of New College Oxford, Academy of Ancient Music

      Conductor: Edward Higginbottom

    26. Part II: He Trusted in God That He Would Deliver Him

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Choir of New College Oxford, Academy of Ancient Music

      Conductor: Edward Higginbottom

    27. Part II: Thy Rebuke Hath Broken His Heart

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Academy of Ancient Music

      Performer: Toby Spence

      Conductor: Edward Higginbottom

    28. Part II: Behold, and See If There Be Any Sorrow Like unto His Sorrow

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Academy of Ancient Music

      Performer: Toby Spence

      Conductor: Edward Higginbottom

    29. Part II: He Was Cut Off, Out of the Land of the Living

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Academy of Ancient Music

      Performer: Henry Jenkinson

      Conductor: Edward Higginbottom

    30. Part II: But Thou Didst Not Leave His Soul in Hell

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Academy of Ancient Music

      Performer: Henry Jenkinson

      Conductor: Edward Higginbottom

    31. Part II: Lift Up Your Heads, O Ye Gates

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Choir of New College Oxford, Academy of Ancient Music

      Conductor: Edward Higginbottom

    32. Part II: Unto Which of the Angels Said He at Any Time

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Academy of Ancient Music

      Performer: Toby Spence

      Conductor: Edward Higginbottom

    33. Part II: Let All the Angels of God Worship Him

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Choir of New College Oxford, Academy of Ancient Music

      Conductor: Edward Higginbottom

    34. Part II: Thou Art Gone Up on High

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Academy of Ancient Music

      Performer: Iestyn Davies

      Conductor: Edward Higginbottom

    35. Part II: The Lord Gave the Word

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Choir of New College Oxford, Academy of Ancient Music

      Conductor: Edward Higginbottom

    36. Part II: How Beautiful Are the Feet of Them That Preach the Gospel of Peace

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Academy of Ancient Music

      Performer: Henry Jenkinson

      Conductor: Edward Higginbottom

    37. Part II: Their Sound Is Gone Out into All Lands

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Choir of New College Oxford, Academy of Ancient Music

      Conductor: Edward Higginbottom

    38. Part II: Why Do the Nations So Furiously Rage Together

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Academy of Ancient Music

      Performer: Eamonn Dougan

      Conductor: Edward Higginbottom

    39. Part II: Let Us Break Their Bonds Asunder

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Choir of New College Oxford, Academy of Ancient Music

      Conductor: Edward Higginbottom

    40. Part II: He That Dwelleth in Heaven Shall Laugh Them to Scorn

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Academy of Ancient Music

      Performer: Toby Spence

      Conductor: Edward Higginbottom

    41. Part II: Thou Shalt Break Them with a Rod of Iron

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Academy of Ancient Music

      Performer: Otta Jones

      Conductor: Edward Higginbottom

    42. Part II: Hallelujah

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Choir of New College Oxford, Academy of Ancient Music

      Conductor: Edward Higginbottom

    43. Part III: I Know That My Redeemer Liveth

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Academy of Ancient Music

      Performer: Robert Brooks

      Conductor: Edward Higginbottom

    44. Part III: Since by Man Came Death

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Choir of New College Oxford, Academy of Ancient Music

      Conductor: Edward Higginbottom

    45. Part III: Behold, I Tell You a Mystery

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Academy of Ancient Music

      Performer: Eamonn Dougan

      Conductor: Edward Higginbottom

    46. Part III: The Trumpet Shall Sound

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Academy of Ancient Music

      Performer: Eamonn Dougan

      Conductor: Edward Higginbottom

    47. Part III: Then Shall Be Brought to Pass the Saying That Is Written

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Academy of Ancient Music

      Performer: Iestyn Davies

      Conductor: Edward Higginbottom

    48. Part III: O Death, Where Is Thy Sting

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Academy of Ancient Music

      Performer: Toby Spence, Iestyn Davies

      Conductor: Edward Higginbottom

    49. Part III: But Thanks Be to God

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Choir of New College Oxford, Academy of Ancient Music

      Conductor: Edward Higginbottom

    50. Part III: If God Is for Us, Who Can Be Against Us

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Academy of Ancient Music

      Performer: Iestyn Davies

      Conductor: Edward Higginbottom

    51. Part III: Worthy Is the Lamb That Was Slain

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Choir of New College Oxford, Academy of Ancient Music

      Conductor: Edward Higginbottom

    52. Part III: Amen

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Choir of New College Oxford, Academy of Ancient Music

      Conductor: Edward Higginbottom


If Handel were alive today, he'd still be revising Messiah--it's the nature of this remarkable work, and it was the nature of its very practical, theatre-savvy composer. The various "official" performing versions and hybrids, along with alternate arias and added choruses, have given modern choirs a wealth of choices for their own performances, including license to just cobble together a version to suit the needs of the available forces--just as Handel would have done. This recording claims to offer "the only modern account of Handel's unique London performances in April and May 1751, when he used [boy] treble voices for choruses and arias." Conductor Edward Higginbottom can't find an explanation for that decision, but just the same he selected three boys from his excellent choir to help replicate the event. Indeed, of all the British chapel, cathedral, and university-based choirs, Higginbottom's Choir of New College Oxford always has cultivated the most ingratiatingly warm, clear, full-bodied, centered treble tone, complemented by robust basses and rich-colored middle voices--which is why his is the ideal group to bring this particular Messiah setting to disc.


Of course, for the most part, the arias, recits, and choruses are the same here as for any other complete Messiah performance; variations occur in the use of countertenor rather than female alto, and in the several numbers where a treble sings instead of the usual female soprano. And the three trebles who share the work here are fabulous; nothing is lost in expression or technique, and there's something to be said for their pure, completely unmannered style in such hugely familiar music, so often overwrought and excessively ornamented. And speaking of ornaments, Higginbottom doesn't allow the "all-about-me" kind of decoration from his soloists that renders many performances different but ultimately irritating; instead the ornamenting is tasteful and artful.


Higginbottom's command of the orchestra also is impressive; he has a firm grasp of the larger picture of the oratorio, and consequently makes decisions regarding pacing that just "feel" right. It's interesting that among the vast volumes of writing about Messiah, almost no one ever discusses tempo--and yet it's tempo more than anything that determines a successful performance. The current "speed for speed's sake" obsession of some conductors simply ruins choruses such as "And He shall purify", "His yoke is easy", and "All we like sheep", and arias like "Rejoice greatly"--but here we are treated to mostly sensible (but certainly not slow!) tempos that properly capture the essential rhythmic and melodic--and textual--aspects of a given movement (except for Higginbottom's insanely fast "All we like sheep", which the choir almost pulls off!). The lively movements dance; the more reflective and solemn ones are appropriately weighty or delicate as required. In other words, this is a very intelligent, articulate, and consummately musical--as well as entertaining--Messiah.


The choir is as good as any you'll hear in this music, and the soloists--none of them big names, but all experts in this repertoire--couldn't be more ideally chosen. There are many scintillating moments--including the chorus "For unto us a Child is born", which has never been more excitingly rendered on a recording (at least among the two-dozen-plus sets in my collection)--and there are some occasions, the "Hallelujah" chorus for one, where the choir is covered just a little more than we'd like by the exuberant orchestra.


Being a very critical Messiah observer, I was pleasantly surprised by this "treble"-voice version. In fact, along with the reference recordings above, it's becoming one of my favorites, simply because it renders this beloved and time-worn work with respect for its innate structural and expositional integrity--no fancy, quirky self-indulgences, no artificial additives, just pure, unprocessed, organic Handel. A pleasure!
--David Vernier, ClassicsToday.com