SITE RATING: 2/10
SITE REVIEW:
A substandard college performance, with little in the way
of interest to casual listeners, the first strong point here is the
combined
Emory University Glee Club, Collegium Musicum and Women's Chorale who
sing with energy and vigor, although in the execution that vigor often
comes across as sledgehammer blows. The Atlanta-Emory Orchestra suffer
persistent severe intonation issues, destroying several movements, most
noticably mangling the beginning of "He was despised". Soprano
(and wife of the conductor) Jean Lemonds as well as alto Susan Poole
both sound fusty in their solos. Tenor Samuel Gagan is the
other high point; he has a bright, forward tone, somewhat brittle, but
accomplished and not unpleasant. Bass Charles Hamilton is
chest-toned and uninvolved, simply going through the motions of his
arias without investment. Although recorded in the mid-1970s, the
sonics are poorer than older recordings, no doubt due to the live
setting and amateur equipment used. Conductor William Lemonds
wields a heavy, teutonic hand in his direction, with melismas from the
choir blocked and choppy, despite the quick tempos he adopts for most
of the oratorio. Pressed as a memento for those who participated,
this recording is best served by those for whom it was intended.
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