Search - George Frederick Handel, John Butt, Dunedin Players :: Messiah - George Frideric Handel, Dublin Version 1742

Top of the Heap!

A. Craig | Grand Junction,CO | 09/08/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Of all the recordings of Handel's Messiah I have had the pleasure to listen to this is I beleive one of the best yet if not the best.

The first thing I noticed when I was listening was how clean and spacious

the recording seemed. As for the performance, yes the Dublin version takes a little getting used to; if you are used to say the Gardiner recording on Phillips or the Pearlman recording on Telarc parts of this

performance will be different to your ears. Right at the start with "Comfort Ye My People" you hear Four extra notes that are not usually

heard in other versions of Messiah, I found myself getting quite used to them All the soloists aquit themselves briliantly, and the orchestra plays quite well too. One other thing I can say about this performance this is one of the most intimate sounding recordings of Messiah I have yet to hear. I felt that the performers were there just for my listening pleasure. Is this a first choice "Messiah"? Absolutely. If you already own one or more recordings of this work. This SACD set of Messiah from Linn Records is a must have addition to your collection. If I had to

trim my collection of Messiah recordings down to one this would be my choice. I understand that the Dunedin Consorts next recording project will

be Bach's Saint Matthew Passion.

"

YES!....You CAN Get It Here, (Finally!)......The Very BEST!!

Gregory E. Foster | Portland, ME, USA | 08/25/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Wow, Folks! Finally, at last, you can now order this WONDERFUL recording of Handel's MESSIAH in the Dublin Version of 1742, with John Butt leading the Dunedin Consort & Players.



This recording is to die for! It is the MOST SPECIAL recording of MESSIAH that I know of, and trust me, I've got dozens of recordings of the work! (I have been working on a listmania list of the work for a while, but have not "finished" it, but you're welcome to go there and check it out, this recording is mentioned as #1!)



This recording is a Hybrid SACD, so perhaps that has a lot to do with the sound, but I am not sure. What I DO KNOW is that I have NEVER been so pleased, fulfilled, "In Love With" or whatever, with Handel's Messiah, with all the many recordings that I own. Period.



Beginning right off with Nicholas Mulroy's beautiful, full, tenor in "Comfort Ye" you know that you are in for a special "performance" of this towering work. When the chorus comes in with "And the Glory of the Lord", the space just "opens up" and is filled with the most glorious-sounding choir you have ever heard. Matthew Brook's bass is deep, smooth, and rich...no-one has ever sounded better in this work. Susan Hamilton is a lovely, clear and creamy, soprano, and she projects cleanly above the musicians. Annie Gill and Clare Wilkinson trade off in the contralto roles, and they are just right...the parts that each has (chosen?) just seem to "fit" the expressive qualities of each of their voices. Linn Records have put their hearts into this recording, I am sure. I have never been so "overwhelmed" with a "small scale", "original instrument", "historically accurate" recording in all my years of exploring and listening.



This is a VERY special disc, and once you hear it, you will agree, I just know it! I am so very pleased that Amazon has finally gotten this recording listed here for sale so that now the general public can become acquainted with this great presentation of this towering work, and with more exposure, one can only hope that there will be more entrys into the catalogue of choral works/oratorios by Mr Butt, and the Dunedin Consort & Players.



Do not hesitate to purchase a copy of this marvelous recording...You will NEVER be sorry that you did! (As this is a new listing here on Amazon, there are not any "selections" yet that you can click on to listen to, but hopefully, there might be soon, then you can sample for yourself this truly Benchmark Recording. (One can only hope that Linn Records will continue producing great recordings like this one for our enjoyment).



Do Enjoy this Wonderful Recording of George Frideric Handel's MESSIAH herewith presented in the 1742 Dublin Version. ~operabruin

-----

By the way, this is presented in a "fold-out" case, heavily varnished, that will stand up for a long while (not a jewel case). The disc holders inside are clear and there are beautiful details of the cover painting behind for your viewing pleasure, and a slip in for the informative insert, also varnished for durability, with informative notes on the performances of 1742. Also, the text of the work is set in an easy to read format and typeface....truly a "first class" presentation for this wonderful recording."

Winner of 2007 Gramophone Award

Paul Van de Water | Virginia, USA | 10/15/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Gramophone Magazine has named this excellent CD the best baroque vocal recording of 2007, and the award is fully merited. As noted above, Scotland's Dunedin Consort has aimed to recreate the premiere performance of Messiah in Dublin in 1742. Their recording now joins two other long-time favorites at the top of my list--the 1977 Marrriner recording of the 1743 London version , and the 1981 Hogwood recording of the 1754 Foundling Hospital version (both on Decca).



The differences between the Dublin version and the "standard" version of Messiah are noticeable, but should not be shocking. Perhaps the most obvious is the inclusion of the 12/8 version of "Rejoice greatly," instead of the more common 4/4 version. You'll find more information at the Dunedin Consort's website, http://www.dunedin-consort.org.uk/messiahcd.aspx.



Among the many virtues of this recording is its clean, natural sound. And that's on my 15-year-old CD player! It has made me eager to upgrade and hear what the disc sounds like in its SACD incarnation.



The relatively small vocal forces are of the highest quality and produce a remarkable clarity without sounding undernourished. The vocal ornamentation is tasteful and not overdone. If you want a larger-scale production, however, check our Marriner.



Paul N. Van de Water"