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Experience the transcendent glory of Messiah in Sir
Andrew Davis's new, majestic, must-hear edition of
Handel's beloved classic.
Recorded live for SACD release in surround sound,
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!).
As he explains in a very personal booklet note, this
leading British conductor brings immense
dedication to what is probably the most famous
piece of British sacred music ever composed, this
version being one which he has conducted live only
a few times, including on this recording. He
confesses: 'Everything I have done instrumentally
stems from the enormous respect, even awe, which
I feel towards this supreme masterpiece'.
CD1
Messiah, HWV 56, Pt. 1: Part I
1.Sinfonia: Grave - Allegro moderato.03:28
2.Accompanied Recitative: Comfort Ye, Comfort Ye my People (Tenor).02:33
3.Aria: Ev'ry valley shall be exalted (Tenor).03:21
4.And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed (Chorus).02:35
5.Accompanied Recitative: Thus saith the Lord (Bass).01:31
6.Aria: But who may abide the day of His coming (Mezzo-soprano).04:01
7.And He shall purify the sons of Levi (Chorus).02:31
8.Recitative: Behold, a Virgin Shall Conceive (Mezzo-soprano).00:29
9.Air: O Thou that Tellest Good Tidings to Zion (Mezzo-soprano, Chorus).05:07
10.Accompanied Recitative: For behold, darkness shall cover the earth (Bass).02:20
11.Aria: The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light (Bass).03:09
12.For unto us a child is born (Chorus).04:04
13.Pastoral Symphony.00:53
14.Accompanied Recitative: There were Shepherds Abiding in the Field (Soprano).00:14
15.Accompanied: And lo, the angel of the Lord (Soprano).00:21
16.Recitative: And the Angel said unto them (Soprano).00:38
17.Recitative: And suddenly there was the angel (Soprano).00:18
18.Glory to God in the highest (Chorus).02:04
19.Aria: Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion (Soprano).04:45
20.Recitative: Then shall the eyes of the blind be open'd (Mezzo-soprano).00:28
21.Duet: He shall feed His flock (Mezzo-soprano, Soprano).05:21
22.His yoke is easy. Not too fast and with lots of bounce! (Chorus).02:26
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CD2
Messiah, HWV 56, Pt. 2: Part II
1.Behold the Lamb of God (Chorus).02:57
2.Aria: He was despised and rejected of men (Mezzo-soprano).05:11
3.Surely, He hath borne our griefs and carried our sorrows (Chorus).01:54
4.And with His stripes we are healed (Chorus).01:49
5.All we like sheep have gone astray (Chorus).03:56
6.Accompanied Recitative: All they that see Him laugh (Tenor).00:43
7.He trusted in God that He would deliver Him (Chorus).02:20
8.Accompanied Recitative: Thy rebuke hath broken His heart (Tenor).01:42
9.Arioso: Behold, and see if there be any sorrow (Tenor).01:16
10.Accompanied Recitative: He was cut off out of the land (Tenor).00:16
11.Air: But Thou Didst not Leave his Soul in Hell (Tenor).02:07
12.Lift up your heads (Chorus).03:13
13.The Lord gave the word (Chorus).01:00
14.Duet: How beautiful are the feet of Him that bringeth glad tidings of salvation (Soprano).02:07
15.Aria: Why do the nations (Bass).02:52..
16.Let us break their bonds (Chorus).01:48
17.Recitative: He that dwelleth in heaven shall laugh them to scorn (Tenor).00:15
18.Aria: Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron (Tenor).01:55
19.Hallelujah! (Chorus).03:58
20.Messiah, HWV 56, Pt. 3: Part III: Aria: I know that my Redeemer liveth (Soprano).06:16
21.Messiah, HWV 56, Pt. 3: Part III: Since by man came death (Chorus).02:07
22.Messiah, HWV 56, Pt. 3: Part III: Recitative: Behold, I tell you a mystery (Bass).00:35
23.Messiah, HWV 56, Pt. 3: Part III: Aria: The trumpet shall sound (Bass).04:10
24.Messiah, HWV 56, Pt. 3: Part III: Worthy is the Lamb that was slain (Chorus).07:00
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