SITE RATING: 6/10
SITE
REVIEW: Marketed
towards the new-age/gift-shop audience, this
instrumental-only presentation of Handel's Messiah
rated somewhat higher with me than I would
have assumed, but my expectations were
admittedly pretty low. Although
performed on synthesizers, great care has been
taken to mimic the sound of actual
instruments, and the performance sounds as if
it is indeed being played, rather than simply
programmed into existence. Producer and
performer James Pease begins the program with
an improvisation on the opening "Sinfony" -
slowing down the main melodic line and
gradually building up steam towards an
exciting climax. Although the disc is
split into only seven "parts" - each part is a
suite of arias and choruses subtly rearranged
by Pease, so as to blend movements together.
As such, this is more than just quiet
background music; the music captures the
original thrust and dancing motions of
Handel's original, and becomes an active
listening experience. Thankfully, James
Pease seems to have a real affection for the
original, which translates into this adaption.
I don't think that this disc will
replace anyone's top choice for a Messiah
highlights disc, but as an alternative way of
hearing Messiah,
it's better than some of the other
alternatives which are out there.
Besides this "instrumental
orchestration" edition, there is also an
alternate version, released by NatureQuest,
which adds background "Nature Sounds" to
...uh, enhance the experience. Or
enhance the cheese factor. Your call.
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