These highlights come from a German language recording of Messiah
made in 1975. It is a good representation of the popular items
in Messiah, however, the alto is represented by only half
a duet.
After being accustomed for many years to the early
performance style given to us by the many specialists in this
field, the Overture comes as quite a shock. Its smooth legato
is more reminiscent of the romantic composers than of Handel,
particularly as this was recorded in 1975. It sounds akin
to Malcolm Sargent’s 1965 recording, and it is interesting
to compare it with Charles Mackerras’s 1967 version which
is much more in keeping with the Handelian style as we now
perceive it.
The solo singing is on the whole forceful and set
at an almost constant forte. There’s little sense of
style, which is surprising for this date and given the soloists’
credentials as exponents of lieder and Bach. Indeed, I skipped
the repeat of The Trumpet Shall Sound
because I didn’t
think I’d survive the onslaught. All the arias are sung ‘straight’ with none of
the embellishments we have become accustomed to over the years,
making them sound bland.
It is only when we get to track 6 For Unto Us
a Child is Born that any lightness begins to become apparent and shows that
a big choir is not a disadvantage in this music. But it is
short-lived. The Hallelujah and Amen choruses
are loud and become louder - wonderful if you like it shouted
from the rooftops. Personally, I prefer some light and shade.
In fact, the whole disk is like a trip down memory
lane to the 1950s and 1960s - a time of large-scale performances
with a full symphony orchestra and choir playing and singing
in smooth legato.
There is no booklet giving texts or translation;
nor do we get any information about the work or Handel. There’s
just a track-listing (in German only) on the back of the case.
This is more for those who wish to immerse themselves
in thick orchestral sound and big-boned choruses. It may also
suit those who wish to remind themselves of how far we have
come in understanding the style of this music.
Arther
Smith
Tracklisting:
1. Sinfonia, Grave - Allegro moderato, (Overture)
2. Tröstet rnein Volk (Accompagnato Tenor), (Comfort Ye)
3. Alle Tale rnacht hoch erhaben (Arie Tenor), (Every Valley)
4. Denn die Herrlichkeit
Gottes, des Herrn (Chor), (And The Glory)
5.
Das Volk, das da wandelt (Arie Baß), (The People Who Walked
In Darkness)
6. Denn es ist uns
ein Kind geboren (Chor), (For Unto Us a Child is Born)
7. Sinfonia. pastorale
(pifa), (Pastoral Symphony)
8. Er welder seine Herde (Duett Alt, Sopran), (And He Shall Feed
His Flock)
9. Warum denn rasen die Heiden (Arie Baß), (Why Do The Nations)
10. Auf, zerreißt ihre Bande (Chor), (Let Us Break Their Bonds
Asunder)
11. Der da wohnet im Himmel (Rezitativ Tenor), (He That Dwelleth
in Heaven)
12. Du zersclilägst sie (Arie Tenor), (Thou Shalt Break Them)
13. Halleluja (Chor), (Hallelujah)
14. Ich weiß daß mein Erlöser lebet (Arie Sopran), (I Know That
My Redeemer Liveth)
15. Vernehmt, ich künd ein Geheimnis an (Baß), (Behold, I Tell
You a Mystery)
16. Die Tromba erschallt (Arie Baß), (The Trumpet Shall Sound)
17.
Amen (Chor), (Amen)
