Search - George Frederick Handel, Malcolm Sargent, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra :: Handel: The Messiah (Complete)

A UNIQUE, HOMESPUN MESSIAH

Melvyn M. Sobel | Freeport (Long Island), New York | 01/10/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A most heart-warming issue from the adventurous Chesky label, amazing in its immediacy and humanity, derived from Sir Malcolm's landmark analogue English recording of 1965.



I've heard my share of MESSIAH recordings, on both LP and CD, and by far this production captures the rarest of Handelian qualities: absolute grace. The "spirit" that moves Sir Malcolm's vision of this work is evident in every note, every section. There is an intimacy here that is absolutely unique; an intimacy that is utterly moving and spiritually restorative.



Consider, for example, the gorgeous singing of soprano Elizabeth Harwood in Part 3, Section 19 ("I Know That My Redeemer Liveth") or tenor Alexander Young's heartfelt opening Part 1 recitative, "Comfort Ye." The rapt singing of the chorus throughout, as well, the antiphonal voicing incredibly lifelike on both sides of the orchestra, particularly evident in Part 1, Section 4 ("And The Glory of the Lord Shall Be Revealed") and Part 2, Section 13 ("Their Sound Is Gone Out into All Lands").



What, above all, moves the listener is the feeling that Sir Malcolm is performing his version of Handel's MESSIAH personally for him. The experience is undeniably magnetic. It goes right to the heart. Sir Malcolm eschews pomp and circumstance; he revels in the simplicity of Handel's oratorio, and the simplicity of his vision is what makes this MESSIAH so down-to-earth, accessible and unforgettable.



The sound is remarkably present, detailed, vivid, with soloists, chorus and orchestra balanced outstandingly. Through the efforts of Chesky Records, this landmark 1965 recording is just as vital as it was thirty-eight years ago.



[Running time--- CD 1: 76:28 CD 2: 75:23]"

Sargent at his best

Harry W. Dale | Ireland | 01/05/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I own this on the original Reader's Digest vinyl and have been searching for it for years on CD! Chesky have done a truly great job in transferring this. All the magic is still there - close your eyes and the Royal Chorus Society step into your room - goosebumps are guaranteed. Nothing has been lost in the transfer and much has been gained in clarity. This is the recording to own if you only want one Messiah (no religious pun intended). Anyone want to buy the vinyl version!"

Exceelent performance - tech of recording so-so

Bruce F. | Guilford, CT United States | 12/23/2003

(3 out of 5 stars)

"The performance of this version of Handel's Messiah is outstanding, especially Elizabeth Harwood's soprano voice. Malcom Sargent was the expert for this particular piece, and his interpretation does not disappoint. But, the quality of the recording has suffered somewhere. The performance was done in 1965, and the liner notes indicate that it was transferred using a customized "state of the art" Ampex tube tape recorder and an "extraordinary analog to digital converter", apparently in 1993 according to the copyright. All that may have been true ten years ago, but the recording mixing levels were managed incorrectly at times. It varies noticeably in several places, even to the point that some solos start out as if they were singing into a tunnel somewhere and then the sound level increases after a few seconds. I'm still looking for the "definitive Messiah" on CD."