| RECORDINGS |
|
| LABEL: |
FIRST
IMPRESSION |
| CATALOG
NUMBER: |
FIMSACD039 |
| UPC
NUMBER: |
0828767203928 |
| NUMBER OF DISCS: |
2 |
| RUNNING TIME: |
70:57,
60:13 |
| YEAR
RECORDED: |
1982 |
| CD
RELEASE
DATE: |
NOVEMBER
10,
2003 |
| CONDUCTOR: |
ANDERS
ÖHRWALL |
| ORCHESTRA: |
SWEDISH
RADIO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA |
| CHOIR: |
STOCKHOLM
BACH
CHOIR |
| SOPRANO: |
YVONNE
KENNY |
| COUNTERTENOR: |
PAUL
ESSWOOD |
| TENOR: |
MARTYN
HILL |
| BASS: |
MAGNUS
LINDÈN |
|
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DISC ONE
1. Sinfonia (Grave. Allegro
Moderato)
2:59
2. Comfort ye (Arioso, tenor)
2:53
3. Every valley (Air, tenor)
3:49
4. And the glory of the Lord (Chorus)
2:57
5. Thus saith the Lord (Recitative,
bass)
1:28
6. But who may abide (Air,
countertenor)
4:28
7. And He shall purify (Chorus)
2:51
8. Behold, a virgin (Recitative,
countertenor)
0:30
9. O thou that tellest (Air,
countertenor & chorus)
5:42
10. For, behold (Recitative, bass)
1:41
11. The people that walked (Air, Bass)
3:27
12. For unto us a Child is born (Chorus)
4:34
13. Pifa
2:43
14. There were shepherds abiding
1:34
15. Glory to God (Chorus)
2:24
16. Rejoice greatly (Air, soprano)
4:35
17. Then shall the eyes (Recitative,
countertenor)
0:30
18. He shall feed his flock (Duet, alto
& soprano)
5:25
19. His yoke is easy (Chorus)
2:38
20. Behold the Lamb of God (Chorus)
2:16
21. He was despised (Air, countertenor)
11:00
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DISC TWO
1. Surely, He hath borne (Chorus)
1:50
2. And with His stripes (Chorus)
2:19
3. All we like sheep (Chorus)
4:12
4. All they that see Him (Recitative,
tenor)
0:43
5. He trusted in God (Chorus)
2:19
6. Thy rebuke hath broken His heart
(Recitative, soprano)
2:15
7. Behold, and see (Arioso, sporano)
1:22
8. He was cut out (Recitative, tenor)
0:24
9. But Thou didst not leave (Air, tenor)
2:31
10. Lift up your heads (Chorus)
3:14
11. Unto which of the angels said
(Recitative, tenor)
0:18
12. Let all the angels (Chorus)
1:32
13. Thou art gone (Air, countertenor)
3:07
14. The Lord gave the word (Chorus)
1:17
15. How beautiful (Air, soprano)
2:18
16. Why do the nations (Air, bass)
1:23
17. Let us break their bonds (Chorus)
1:48
18. He that dwelleth (Recitative, tenor)
0:17
19. Thou shalt break them (Air, tenor)
2:04
20. Hallelujah (Chorus)
4:03
21. I know that my Redeemer liveth (Air,
soprano)
6:08
22. Since byman came death (Chorus)
1:50
23. Behold, I tell you a mystery
(Recitative, bass)
0:36
24. The trumpet shall sound (Air, bass)
4:15
25. Then shall be brought (Recitative,
countertenor)
0:22
26. Worthy is the Lamb (Chorus)
3:22
27. Amen
3:57
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SITE RATING: 8/10
SITE
REVIEW: Anders
Öhrwall's 1982 recording of Messiah
done for the audiophile label First
Impressions is stylish and well
recorded, with bright tempi, gorgeous singing
from the Stockholm Bach Choir and sparkling
playing from the Swedish Radio Symphony
Orchestra. The sound, although taken
from a live performance, is fittingly
excellent for a label that touts its superior
sound, and the soloists are first rate, with a
couple of caveats. Tenor Martyn Hill is
very fine, although he sounds like he strains
in his upper register and melismas, and Yvonne
Kenny is a smooth, perfectly fitted soprano,
singing with great technique and if not much
feeling. Countertenor Paul Esswood is
also technically very good, although I found
his tone distracting, although I enjoyed his
pure pitch centers and fluid vocals.
Bass Magnus Lindèn I didn't like at all
- his throaty, swallowed tone and blustery
manner were completely out of sync with his
fellow soloist's sweeter tones. Öhrwall's
conducting is splendid, with bright, majestic
flourishes reminiscent of Handel's court
music; and I can't say enough about the fine,
unified playing and singing of the choir and
orchestra. Available as a hybrid
SACD-DSD and the rarer XRCD format, this fine
recording deserves to be heard by Messiah
lovers everywhere.
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