RECORDINGS

LABEL: RED PRIEST RECORDINGS
CATALOG NUMBER: RP012
UPC NUMBER: 5060179090115
NUMBER OF DISCS: 1
RUNNING TIME: 71:59
YEAR RECORDED: 2014?
CD RELEASE DATE: JUNE 9, 2015
CONDUCTOR: N/A
ORCHESTRA: N/A
CHOIR: N/A
SOPRANO: N/A
MEZZO-SOPRANO: N/A
TENOR: N/A
BARITONE: N/A

AUDIO SAMPLES HIGHLIGHTS OTHER RELEASES



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DISC ONE

1 Suite from the Messiah: Overture 2:25
2 Suite from the Messiah: Comfort Ye 2:47
3 Suite from the Messiah: Ev'ry Valley 1:13
4 Suite from the Messiah: Shepherds and Angels 3:34
5 Suite from the Messiah: Eternal Source of Light 3:32
6 Suite from the Messiah: The Jaws of Darkness 2:05
7 Suite from the Messiah: Lost With Blindness 4:02
8 Suite from the Messiah: Jaws Returns (Link) 0:13
9 Suite from the Messiah: The Recorder Shall Sound 2:09
10 Suite from the Messiah: Despised and Rejected 4:54
11 Suite from the Messiah: Siciliano Pedicuro 2:59
12 Suite from the Messiah: The Raging Nations 1:15
13 Suite from the Messiah: Breaking the Bonds 1:32
14 Suite from the Messiah: The Potter's Vessel 1:38
15 Suite from the Messiah: Hallelujah 4:39
16 Lascio Ch'io Pianga (From "Rinaldo") 2:58
17 Trio Sonata in F Major, Op. 2 No. 4: I. Largetto 2:43
18 Trio Sonata in F Major, Op. 2 No. 4: II. Vivace 2:49
19 Trio Sonata in F Major, Op. 2 No. 4: III. Adagio 2:16
20 Trio Sonata in F Major, Op. 2 No. 4: IV. Alla breve 1:31
21 Trio Sonata in F Major, Op. 2 No. 4: V. Allegro 2:12
22 The Harmonious Blacksmith Variations (From "Keyboard Suite in E") 3:50
23 Largo (From "Concerto Grosso, Op. 3 No. 2") 2:36
24 Passacaglia (From "Keyboard Suite in G Minor") 2:58
25 Zadok the Red Priest 6:01
26 Aria Amorosa (From "Trio Sonata, Op. 2 No. 1") 2:56
SITE RATING:  10/10
SITE REVIEW:  Taking their name from Antonio Vivaldi, (aka "The Red Priest"), and perhaps hoping to give a nod to the more raucous Judas Priest, this British baroque ensemble consists of Piers Adams, recorder; Julia Bishop, violin; Angela East, cello; and David Wright, harpsichord.  Being thus composed, this "stripped-down" Messiah (excerpts) is rather refreshing - not that they play it straight;  if I were to describe their sound - it might be something like this: imagine, if you will, a slightly tipsy band of pirates who discover a wormhole in time and space and slip through, plundering a bit of Handel, some of the cheekiness of PDQ Bach, and a hefty dose of 21st Century pop culture thrown into the mix.  The "suite" of Messiah on display here is a rowdy mix of classical show-offs-manship with sly winks to everything from John Williams's "Theme From Jaws" to Harry Potter, James Bond, and a touch of Spike Jones or perhaps Kay Kyser.  In other words, purists be damned, sit down, shut up, and you just may enjoy yourself.  It helps that the quartet who make up Red Priest are sublime musicians, with blazing musicianship on display - they rip through these pieces with great alacrity and skill - and if you just happen to hear a "yee-haw!" thrown in, I daresay you might be so inclined to add one yourself after hearing a few of these tour-de-forces.

The Compleat Messiah All Content Copyright © 2016 Bret D. Wheadon
All Rights Reserved.