RECORDINGS

LABEL: GLYNDEBOURNE
CATALOG NUMBER: 100774
UPC NUMBER: N/A
NUMBER OF DISCS: 2
RUNNING TIME: 55:43; 60:38
YEAR RECORDED: 1999
CD RELEASE DATE: 1999
CONDUCTOR: DAVID ANGUS
ORCHESTRA: ESTERHÁZY CHAMBER ORCHESTRA
CHOIR: ESTERHÁZY CHAMBER CHOIR
SOPRANO: MARY HEGARTY
MEZZO-SOPRANO: RUTH PEEL
TENOR: STEPHEN ROOKE
BARITONE: JOZIK KOC

AUDIO SAMPLES HIGHLIGHTS OTHER RELEASES

NONE


NONE



NONE


DISC ONE

1. Sinfony orchestra   3.25
2. Comfort ye tenor solo   3.01
3. Every valley tenor solo   3.35
4. And the glory chorus   2.47
5. Thus saith the Lord bass solo   1.32
6. But who may abide alto solo   4.02
7. And he shall purify chorus   2.32
8. Behold, a virgin shall conceive alto solo   0.34
9. 0 thou that tellest alto solo & chorus   5.15
10. For behold, darkness shall cover bass solo    1.58
11. The people that walked bass solo   3.09
12. For unto us chorus   3.59
13. Pastoral Symphony orchestra   3.23
14. The were shepherds /And lo, the angel soprano solo   0.33
15. And the angel said unto them soprano solo   0.37
16. And suddenly there was with the angel soprano solo   0.18
17. Glory to God chorus   2.09
18. Rejoice greatly, 0 daughter of Zion soprano solo   4.22
19. Then shall the eyes of the blind alto solo    0.33
20. He shall feed his flock alto & soprano solos   5.33
21. His yoke is easy chorus   2.37
DISC TWO

1. Behold the Lamb of God chorus    2.47
2. He was despised alto solo    6.17
3. Surely he bath borne our griefs chorus    1.41
4. And with his stripes chorus    1.34
5. All we like sheep chorus    3.49
6. And they that see him tenor solo    0.44
7. He trusted in God chorus    2.27
8. Thy rebuke hath broken his heart tenor solo    1.52
9. Behold, and see if there be any sorrow tenor solo    1.12
10. He was cut off from the land tenor solo    0.19
11. But thou didst not leave his soul tenor solo    2.11
12. Lift up your heads chorus    3.23
13. How beautiful are the feet soprano solo    2.19
14. Why do the nations bass solo    2.51
15. Let us break their bonds chorus    1.50
16. He that dwelleth in heaven tenor solo    0.17
17. Thou shalt break them tenor solo    2.06
18. Hallelujah chorus    3.45
19. I know that my redeemer liveth soprano solo    5.32
20. Since by man came death chorus    2.00
21. Behold I tell you a mystery bass solo    0.33
22. The trumpet shall sound bass solo    3.46
23. Worthy is the lamb chorus    1.14
24. Blessing and honour chorus    1.51
25. Amen chorus    4.13

SITE RATING:  7/10
SITE REVIEW:  This performance, a live concert whose proceeds where donated to the Burrswood Christian Centre for Healthcare & Ministry in 1999, is a very rare CD, which I stumbled upon in my online searches.  The set itself is bare-bones, with only an introductory page and track-listing.  As of this writing, the Esterhazy Chamber Choir is still in existence, and, at the time of this recording, was led by then-Chorus Master and Staff Conductor for Glyndebourne Festival Opera, David Angus.  The performance is entirely professional, if somewhat perfunctory and cool.  Of the soloists, tenor Stephen Rooke, is splendid, with a large vibrato, but masterful tone and clear enunciation and control.  Baritone Jozik Koc is somewhat thick in both his tone and the melismas, but is quite good.  Mezzo-soprano Ruth Peel has a deeper, chestier tone than I expected, sounding more like a true alto than a mezzo, while soprano Mary Hegarty has a bright, brilliant tone, and is quite good, bringing a welcome sense of drama and emotion to her solos.  The Esterhazy Chamber Choir and Orchestra are also excellent, although they are perhaps not shown off to best effect in a live setting, their training and unity is evident and they are clearly an excellent organization.  David Angus leads everything with a sure hand, and tempos are generally moderate and bright.  Although the performance is fairly safe and staid, and nothing here stands out above other recordings, it was clearly a fine evening, and a worthwhile souvenir.


The Compleat Messiah All Content Copyright © 2016 Bret D. Wheadon
All Rights Reserved.