---

SITE RATING:  8/10 SITE REVIEW:  This World War II-era recording, released on four 78 rpm discs on the Bibletone label, is a fascinating document of its times - with "the distinguished Handel Oratorio Chorus of Augustana College" (their words) and a full roster of soloists blazing through an octuplet of songs from Messiah, with a surprising depth of feeling and technique evident in their performance. Although captured in early sound, the recorded ambiance is surprisingly warm, and the balances, with just the chorus and organ or soloists, is very good. And even considering how much choral and vocal technique has evolved through the years, I found this set a very approachable, humanistic performance, with more genuine bonhomie than many a professional recording in recent years.  All the soloists have boatloads of personality, with bass J. Alden Edkins giving a cheerful (if hotly miced) reading of "The Trumpet Shall Sound"; tenor Harold Haugh similarly even-tempered and clear-toned; contralto Lydia Summers  warm and fruity on "O Thou That Tellest Good Tidings" and "Come Unto Him"; and soprano Lura Stover brilliantly toned on "I Know That My Redeemer Liveth" and "Glory To  God".  The Augustana Chorus, (still in existence at Augustana College), are very reminiscent of early Mormon Tabernacle Choir recordings, albeit with a cleaner recorded sound, but boasting similarly thick, unified sound and fervent tone. Conductor Henry Veld keeps the choruses and organ tightly bound, and, perhaps as a result of the time-restrictive 78 rpm format, nothing here drags as slowly as I would have expected - generally sustaining a good, moderate tempo throughout.  I was very pleasantly surprised by this set, which took me back to the simpler, purer expressions of faith which were found in abundance during the dark times of the 1940s.

---