Handel: Messiah Oratorio

[Coopmv]

It may be. This was a download off Amazon.

The Mackerras's set is one of the older sets out there and was recorded in the 1960's.

[Dr. Dread]

The Mackerras's set is one of the older sets out there and was recorded in the 1960's.

How do you think it holds up vs. the competition? It came highly recommended.

[Coopmv]

How do you think it holds up vs. the competition? It came highly recommended.

It was quite competitive with the 1967 recording by Colin Davis and the LSO and with the version by Raymond Leppard, also with the English Chamber Orchestra.  I believe Harnoncourt also released a version in the 1960's, which I am not familiar with.  These three versions share a few common characteristics: 1) They were all performed on modern instruments.  2) Conductor interpretations were also quite similar.  I think the version by Christopher Hogwood really marked a new era in the interpretation and the performance of this work, as people began to associate this work increasingly with period instruments.  It took my ears some getting used to at first but I have never looked back.  For the past 20 years or so, I have come to expect baroque music to be performed on period instruments.  Occasionally, I find modern instrument performance to be excellent as well, as is the case with the Bach Brandenburg Concertos by the ASMIF with Marriner and that all-star cast of Jean Pierre Rampal, Henryk Szeryng, Heinz Holliger and Michala Petri.  I also find the 1976 Messiah by Marriner and the ASMIF with Elly Ameling and Anna Reynolds excellent, though the set was also performed on modern instruments.  I got that LP-set on Argo in the early 80's but as that recording had not yet been released on CD and while the SQ on Argo was good, the LP's were clearly not as quiet as I would like.  I leaped at the opportunity to get the recording on the Barclay-Crocker open-reels.  To this day, the 1976 Messiah by Marriner is the only version I have in 3 different audio media - LP, CD and open-reel. 

[Dr. Dread]

It was quite competitive with the 1967 recording by Colin Davis and the LSO and with the version by Raymond Leppard, also with the English Chamber Orchestra.  I believe Harnoncourt also released a version in the 1960's, which I am not familiar with.  These three versions share a few common characteristics: 1) They were all performed on modern instruments.  2) Conductor interpretations were also quite similar.  I think the version by Christopher Hogwood really marked a new era in the interpretation and the performance of this work, as people began to associate this work increasingly with period instruments.  It took my ears some getting used to at first but I have never looked back.  For the past 20 years or so, I have come to expect baroque music to be performed on period instruments.  Occasionally, I find modern instrument performance to be excellent as well, as is the case with the Bach Brandenburg Concertos by the ASMIF with Marriner and that all-star cast of Jean Pierre Rampal, Henryk Szeryng, Heinz Holliger and Michala Petri.  I also find the 1976 Messiah by Marriner and the ASMIF with Elly Ameling and Anna Reynolds excellent, though the set was also performed on modern instruments.  I got that LP-set on Argo in the early 80's but as that recording had not yet been released on CD and while the SQ on Argo was good, the LP's were clearly not as quiet as I would like.  I leaped at the opportunity to get the recording on the Barclay-Crocker open-reels.  To this day, the 1976 Messiah by Marriner is the only version I have in 3 different audio media - LP, CD and open-reel. 

Thank you for the reply. Very informative. Perhaps one day I'll spring for the Hogwood.

[Coopmv]

Thank you for the reply. Very informative. Perhaps one day I'll spring for the Hogwood.

Here are my 1976 Messiah by ASMIF and Marriner in older and much cooler media ...

[Dr. Dread]

Or that. 

[Coopmv]

Or that. 

I have been having major problems uploading photos, not sure why? 

[Coopmv]

I have been having major problems uploading photos, not sure why? 

It turned out the JPEG file was too large.  The problem has been corrected ...

[Andante]

When it comes to classical works that are all time masterpieces, I tend to have many versions.  I also have nine versions of St Matthew Passion and currently 16 Beethoven Symphonies Cycles (objective is to get 3-4 additional cycles by year end).  I will probably try to get to about 5-6 versions of Complete Beethoven Sonatas.

I have a feeling that I am going to regret asking this but why so many Beethoven cycles?? how often do you have comparison listening between them, If you are a Composer I can see the sense or if you are studying Beethoven or such for a degree, but for a mere mortal [such as me] it seems a bit of overkill, I do have 3/4 of some various recordings, please I am not being obnoxious simply curious 

[Coopmv]

I have a feeling that I am going to regret asking this but why so many Beethoven cycles?? how often do you have comparison listening between them, If you are a Composer I can see the sense or if you are studying Beethoven or such for a degree, but for a mere mortal [such as me] it seems a bit of overkill, I do have 3/4 of some various recordings, please I am not being obnoxious simply curious 

My desire of not to be beholdened to any classical FM station has always been a goal.  The fact that I have on average 7-8 versions of most classical masterpieces allows me to play just the piece I want at any given time, depending on my mood of the moment.  How many complete Beethoven Piano Sonatas does George have now?  I think he has over 100 CD's by Sviatoslav Richter alone.  I surmise he and I probably share similar answer to your question ...

[Que]

I've merged two threads and put links to two previous Messiah threads on the old forum in the opening post, for those interested.

Q

[Bunny]

I have a feeling that I am going to regret asking this but why so many Beethoven cycles?? how often do you have comparison listening between them, If you are a Composer I can see the sense or if you are studying Beethoven or such for a degree, but for a mere mortal [such as me] it seems a bit of overkill, I do have 3/4 of some various recordings, please I am not being obnoxious simply curious 

I have even more than 16.  They are my addiction.  Comparison listening?  Only at the beginning.  Then I hone in on the particular symphonies I prefer from a cycle for a while -- listening to them over and over.  Then a newer cycle becomes available and I'm off to the marketplace for the latest fix.

[Andante]

I have even more than 16.  They are my addiction.  Comparison listening?  Only at the beginning.  Then I hone in on the particular symphonies I prefer from a cycle for a while -- listening to them over and over.  Then a newer cycle becomes available and I'm off to the marketplace for the latest fix.

Well I hope its not catching I just have not the room for that amount of CDs   I have approx 1000 in my collection [ a drop in the ocean compared to what you guys must have] and my Darling Wife says if I want more I have to build another room onto the house, 

[Dr. Dread]

Well I hope its not catching...

RUN AWAY while you still can!!! 

[Coopmv]

I have even more than 16.  They are my addiction.  Comparison listening?  Only at the beginning.  Then I hone in on the particular symphonies I prefer from a cycle for a while -- listening to them over and over.  Then a newer cycle becomes available and I'm off to the marketplace for the latest fix.

I will probably stop my Beethoven Symphonies cycles right at 20, as I have a few additional cycles that I feel I should have.  My latest acquisition being the one by Harnoncourt with the European Chamber Orchestra that came in that large WarnerMusic box set, which is still in cellophane since I have too many other new CD's to listen to.  Anyway, enough diversion to Beethoven, but you have given the reason why people like us have so many versions of a particular masterpiece.  My understanding is FK has close to 20 Beethoven cycles as well.

[Bunny]

I will probably stop my Beethoven Symphonies cycles right at 20, as I have a few additional cycles that I feel I should have.  My latest acquisition being the one by Harnoncourt with the European Chamber Orchestra that came in that large WarnerMusic box set, which is still in cellophane since I have too many other new CD's to listen to.  Anyway, enough diversion to Beethoven, but you have given the reason why people like us have so many versions of a particular masterpiece.  My understanding is FK has close to 20 Beethoven cycles as well.

Been there; said that.

[Rod Corkin]

There is only one Messiah, Pinnock's.

[jwinter]

Anybody old-school enough to have an opinion on Herman Scherchen's?  I have and enjoy his Water Music and Bach Mass in B Minor, so I'm thinking he may be a good fit...

[Coopmv]

Anybody old-school enough to have an opinion on Herman Scherchen's?  I have and enjoy his Water Music and Bach Mass in B Minor, so I'm thinking he may be a good fit...

I have Malcolm Sargent on both LP and cassette.  Generally, the performance is too old-fashioned for me.  That Victorian approach of 500-voice choir just does not sound right ...

[Sorin Eushayson]

I know some consider Pinnock's work with this definitive, but I was less than impressed.  The soloists seem great, save the bass (Tomlinson) who sounds like he's singing with cotton balls in his mouth and/or whilst inebriated.  I thought it really lacked drama in the more exciting passages and seemed distant and disconnected from the work.  The same goes for Suzuki's; technically flawless, but lacking an emotional attachment.  One well-rounded performance I'm quite fond of is the live recording by Cleobury with the Brandenburg Consort and the Choir of King's College Cambridge...



Sharp and vivacious playing from the Consort and great work from the chorus.  Alastair Miles is a commanding bass.  I like the feel of live recordings too and this one's aided by the great acoustics of the King's College Chapel.  On a technical level this can't match Pinnock, McCreesh, or Suzuki, but there's still something very endearing about it.

I'm conflicted about this recording...



As far as wringing drama from the piece McCreesh does an exemplary job, but his approach during certain passages seems rather queer and... I want to say... distorted.

Anyhow, that's my two cents worth!