SITE RATING: 2/10
SITE
REVIEW: The Moody Bible Institute, who
annually performs highlights from Handel's Messiah
as part of their holiday tradition, put
together this album, collected from various
recent performances, to celebrate the 50th
anniversary of said tradition, the sole
unifying link being conductor Gerald H. Edmonds.
As such, there is a variety of soloists, choristers,
and orchestral forces at work. The
opening Sinfonia is given a slow-to-moderate
reading with much charm. Tenor Walter
Fawcett, who appears on the first two arias,
gives a good uncommitted performance,
lacking in tonal brilliance. The first
chorus gives the first true impression of
the forces at work - collegiate-age students,
with a predictably youthful, inexperienced
sound - and with far too many participants
for a clean recorded sound. Alto Laura
Graber doesn't impress - she sits on the
phrases without any sense of momentum or line.
Soprano Christina Rohm, who appears on just
four short recitatives, has plenty of
brilliance, with a wide-eyed reading that
often leans into sharpness. Faith Beam
has the most pleasing tone on the album, but
sadly struggles on her melismas.
Meanwhile, poor tenor Joy Saquing is given a
mere nineteen seconds in which to shine, and
fails to impress. Finally, Julie
Bryenton chestily hoots her way through "I
Know That My Redeemer Liveth". Available
through the Moody Bible Institute web site,
or through CDBaby, this recording can be
missed by all but the most ardent
collectors.
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