SITE RATING: 8/10
SITE
REVIEW: Rilling's Der Messias
is certainly one of the more idiosyncratic
performances to be captured on video, but is
beautifully shot, and generally well
performed; and, being one of the few Mozart
arrangements filmed, devotees will want to
investigate. Arthaus video has certainly
afforded this Messias a gold-medal
treatment, with a thick booklet included, very
good picture and audio quality, and excellent
production values. Shots of the gorgeous
cathedral fill quiet moments, and multiple
camera angles are used to good effect.
The performance itself cannot be
considered definitive, Rilling makes odd
choices with tempos, plowing through the
Overture, but taking other movements more
slowly than typical, or giving some choruses a
martial air ("Behold The Lamb of God").
It's interesting, but the overall effect
is more detached and affected than Rilling
perhaps anticipated. The Bach-Collegium
Stuttgart plays modern instruments with great
style and passion, while the Gachinger
Kantorei sings well, with a dry, but effective
performance. Among the soloists, tenor
Roberto Sacca sings with youthful flair,
mezzo-soprano Cornelia Kallisch is weighty and
pulls plenty of vibrato into her arias;
soprano Donna Brown is a fiery, passionate
presence; while bass Alastair Miles sings
beautifully, with just a touch of hollowness
to his tone. I enjoyed this presentation
overall, and Rilling's strong conducting hand,
felt in every movement, is unusual and
surprising enough to keep me interested.
A polished, professional Messias.
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