The Compleat Messiah

1. Isingeniso (3:09)

2. I-tena - Duduza Abantu Bami (3:03)

3. I-tena - Izigodi Zolelezelwa (3:29)

4. I-khwaya - Udumo Izenkosi (2:55)

5. I-contralto - Bheka, Intombi Iyozala

6. I-khwaya - Namhla Izelwe Indodana (3:58)

7. Pifa (pastoral Symphony) (1:01)

8. I-soprano - Abelusi Besemadlelweni

9. I-soprano - Bheka Kwafika Ingelosi Kubona

10. I-soprano - Ingelosi Yathi Kubo

11. I-suprano - Masinyane Kanye Nengelosi

12. I-khwaya - Ubukhosi Ezulwini (1:57)

13. I-contralto - Nezimpumpputhe Zovulwamehlo

14. I-contralto - Izimvu Zakhe Wozalusa (4:51)

15. I-khwaya - Bhekani Iwundlu (2:46)

16. I-contralto - Wayedelelwa Eyiswa (4:23)

17. I-tena - Bonke Abambonayo Bambhinga

18. I-khwaya - Wethembela Kuye (2:32)

19. I-tena - Wasolwa Kabuhlungu (1:16)

20. I-tena - Khangelani Usizi Olungaka (1:11)

21. I-tena - Wasuswa Ezweni Lokuphila

22. I-tena - Awumyekanga Ethuneni (2:30)

23. I-khwaya - Phakamani, Masango (2:57)

24. I-bhesi - Kwenzenjani Silwelani Izizwe (3:01)

25. I-khwaya - Masigqabul'izibopho (2:12)

26. I-tena - Ohlezi Ezulwini

27. I-tena - Bazophulwa (2:12)

28. I-khwaya - Haleluya! (3:57)

29. I-suprano - Uyaphila Umsindisi (5:49)

30. I-bhesi - Bheka, Nginitshel'imfihlo

31. I-bhesi - Lokhal'icilongo (3:57)

32. I-khwaya - Lifanel'iwundl'elafa (6:58)

SITE RATING: 2/10

SITE REVIEW: One of the rarest and most esoteric recordings I've tried to track down, Handel's Messiah Sung in Zulu released in 1994 on the Tusk Music Co. label finally popped up on eBay for a very reasonable price (considering its rarity), and I decided to give it a shot. Unfortunately, I'm sad to report that there's nothing here for collectors, or baroque music enthusiasts, to get excited about. A straightforward, uninspired reading, with competent (but no more) playing and singing, there is nary a hint of ethnic or regional flavor brought to the piece - just the "uniqueness" of hearing an overly familiar masterpiece being sung and played poorly in an unfamiliar language. The Natal Philharmonic Orchestra, under the bland direction of Richard Cock, slog through the oratorio with not a hint of artistry or even enthusiasm, while the chorus, stitched together of four separate choirs, sing painfully square and flat, and with a bored indifference that makes it sound as if they're all anxious for the next lunch break. The soloists are similarly uninspired; without exception, they give amateurish, throaty performances, with wide vibratos, and tedious tempos dragging down every possible attempt to make the music dance. Adding insult to injury, the recorded sound is also amateurish, with dim ambiance that sounds almost monophonic. I got the uncomfortable impression while listening that the project was intended to show off the cultural refinements the Zulus had acquired in the latter half of the 20th Century, but by giving such a numbingly dreary performance, stripped of any regional flavor, they did both themselves and Handel's music a great disservice. I sadly suggest that collectors can skip over this Messiah without any guilty twinges of conscience.