Search - Dino Luthy, Raitis Grigalis, Miriam Feuersinger :: George Frederic Handel: Messiah

Handels Messiah is already very well-represented on the market with dozens of existing recordings and new productions appearing at regular intervals. Yet this is a very special version, carefully crafted, Halle Handel Edition in hand, by a Basel-based selection of fine vocal soloists and instrumentalists who have all graduated from the world-famous Schola Cantorum Basiliensis. Under the fine direction of Daniela Dolci, singers Miriam Feuersinger, Flavio Ferri-Benedeti, Dino Luthy and Raitis Grigalis join the ensemble Musica Fiorita for a moving studio recording made in October 2015. For obtaining the very nuanced sound aesthetics which define this recording, the chosen cast is deliberately small: alongside the soloists, two ripieni per voice were used for the choir. In contrast, the instrumental ensemble is composed of two violins and one oboe per part as well as a viola, cello, bassoon, violone, two theorbos, two harpsichords, and two positive organs for the basso continuo group. The optimal balance is achieved with the use of natural trumpets without finger holes. All in all, a welcome breath of fresh air for one of the finest compositions of all time.