RECORDINGS

LABEL: BBC MUSIC MAGAZINE
CATALOG NUMBER: BBC MM64, MM65
UPC NUMBER: N/A
NUMBER OF DISCS: 2 (SOLD SEPARATELY)
RUNNING TIME: 54:41; 74:52
YEAR RECORDED: SEPTEMBER 1997
CD RELEASE DATE: 1997
CONDUCTOR: HARRY CHRISTOPHERS
ORCHESTRA: BBC PHILHARMONIC
CHOIR: HUDDERSFIELD CHORAL SOCIETY
SOPRANO: LYNDA RUSSELL
CONTRALTO: CATHERINE WYN-ROGERS
TENOR: THOMAS RANDLE
BASS: DAVID WILSON-JOHNSON
AUDIO SAMPLES HIGHLIGHTS OTHER RELEASES


DISC ONE

1. Overture 3:10
2. Accompagnato: Comfort Ye 2:58
3. Aria: Ev'ry Valley 3:06
4. Chorus: And the Glory 2:55
5. Accompagnato: Thus saith the Lord 1:18
6. Aria: But who may abide 4:29
7. Chorus: And he shall purify 2:28
8. Recitative: Behold a virgin shall conceive 0:29
9. Aria & Chorus: O thou that tellest 5:22
10. Accompagnato: For behold, darkness shall cover the earth 2:06
11. Aria: The people that walked 3:28
12. Chorus: For unto us 4:00
13. Pastoral Symphony 2:57
14. Recitative: There were shepherds 1:28
15. Chorus: Glory to God 1:52
16. Aria: Rejoice greatly 4:11
17. Recitative: Then shall the eyes 0:25
18. Aria: He shall feed his flock 5:26
19. Chorus: His yoke is easy 2:20
 DISC TWO

1. Chorus: Behold The Lamb Of God 2:51     
2. Aria: He Was Despised (Contralto) 11:09    
3. Chorus: Surely, He Hath Borne Our Griefs 1:50    
4. Chorus: And With His Stripes 1:48    
5. Chorus: All We Like Sheep 3:56    
6. Accompagnato: All They That See Him (Soprano) 0:41    
7. Chorus: He Trusted God 2:15    
8. Accompagnato: Thy Rebuke Hath Broken His Heart (Soprano) 1:43    
9. Arioso: Behold, And See (Soprano) 1:44    
10. Aria: But Thou Didst Not Leave (Soprano) 2:14    
11. Chorus: Lift Up Your Heads 2:56    
12. Recitative: Unto Which Of The Angels (Soprano) 0:15    
13. Chorus: The Lord Gave The Word 1:04    
14. Aria: How Beautiful Are The Feet (Soprano) 2:23    
15. Chorus: Their Sound Has Gone Out 1:23    
16. Aria: Why Do The Nations (Bass) 4:48    
17. Chorus: Let Us Break Their Bonds Asunder 1:54    
18. Recitative: He That Dwelleth In Heaven (Tenor) 0:13    
19. Aria: Thou Shalt Break Them (Tenor) 1:56    
20. Chorus: Hallelujah! 3:47    
21. Aria: I Know That My Redeemer Liveth (Soprano) 6:11    
22. Chorus: Since By Man Came Death 2:07    
23. Accompagnato: Behold, I Tell You A Mystery (Bass) 0:33    
24. Aria: The Trumpet Shall Sound (Bass) 2:13    
25. Recitative: Then Shall Be Brought To Pass (Contralto) 0:14    
26. Duet: O Death, Where Is Thy Sting? (Contralto, Tenor) & Chorus: But Thanks Be To God 3:55    
27. Accompagnato: If God Be For Us (Soprano) 1:26    
28. Chorus: Worthy Is The Lamb 3:24    
29. Chorus: Amen 3:46
SITE RATING:  8/10
SITE REVIEW:  This limited edition rare performance of Mozart's arrangement of Handel's Messiah (sung in English!) is a superb addition to the Messiah canon.  The Mozart arrangement is a curiosity for Handelites, with its notable re-orchestrations, choral re-arrangements, and cuts.  The BBC Orchestra, conducted by The Sixteen's director Harry Christophers, is intimately acquainted with Messiah, and the Huddersfield Choral Society is one of the best, most consistent choirs in Great Britain today.  Tied together with generally good soloists, (not completely proficient, but very good) fine recorded ambiance, and tempi that are beautifully varied according to the movement.  Originally released as two separate "bonus" discs to subscribers of BBC Music Magazine in 1997, is a worthy enough recording to be released on its own merits, but can easily be found in online markets, and at very good prices.  As one of the few English-sung Messiah arr. Mozart recordings, I have no hesitations recommending this to Messiah enthusiasts everywhere. ~ BDW

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