Track Listing

Disc 1:

1. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Part One: Sinfonia
2. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Part One: Comfort ye my people
3. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Part One: Ev'ry valley shall be exalted
4. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Part One: And the glory, the glory of the Lord
5. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Part One: Thus saith the Lord
6. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Part One: But who may abide
7. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Part One: And he shall purify
8. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Part One: Behold a virgin shall conceive
9. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: O thou that tellest
10. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Part One: For behold, darkness shall cover the earth
11. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Part One: The people that walked in darkness
12. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Part One: For unto us a child is born
13. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Part One: (Pastoral Symphony)
14. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Part One: There were shepherds
15. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Part One: And lo, the Angel of the Lord
16. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Part One: And the Angel said unto them
17. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Part One: And suddenly there was with the angel
18. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Part One: Glory to God in the highest
19. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Part One: Rejoice greatly, o daughter of Zion
20. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Part One: Then shall the eyes of the blind
21. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Part One: He shall feed his flock
22. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Part One: His yoke is easy
23. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Part Two: Behold the Lamb of God
24. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Part Two: He was depised

Disc 2:

1. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Part Two: Surely he hath borne our griefs
2. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Part Two: And with His stripes we are healed
3. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Part Two: All we like sheep
4. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Part Two: All they that see Him
5. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Part Two: He trusted in God
6. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Part Two: Thy rebuke hath broken His heart
7. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Part Two: Behold, and see if there be any sorrow
8. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Part Two: He was cut off out of the land
9. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Part Two: But thou didst not leave
10. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Part Two: Lift up your heads
11. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Part Two: Unto which of the angels
12. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Part Two: Let all the angels of God worship Him
13. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Part Two: Thou art gone up on high
14. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Part Two: The Lord gave the word
15. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Part Two: Their sound is gone out
16. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Part Two: Why do the nations?
17. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Part Two: Let us break their bonds asunder
18. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Part Two: He that dwelleth in heaven
19. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Part Two: Thou shall break them
20. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Part Two: Hallelujah
21. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Part Three: I know that my Redeemer liveth
22. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Part Three: Since by man came death
23. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Part Three: Behold, I tell you a mystery
24. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Part Three: Then shall be brought to pass
25. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Part Three: O death, where is thy sting?
26. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Part Three: But thanks be to God
27. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Part Three: If God be for us
28. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Part Three: Worthy is the Lamb...Amen

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #87000 in Music
• Released on: 1990-10-25
• Number of discs: 2

Amazon.com
There are two English Davises, both conductors: Colin and Andrew--no relation. Colin recorded a landmark Messiah which is still available on Philips at budget price. This one is another matter entirely. Andrew Davis certainly knows this music, and he hits the big moments with gusto. But Messiah is more than big moments, and despite an excellent cast of soloists, there's too little involvement with the music (especially from Kathleen Battle) in the arias and more intimate moments to make this a clear recommendation. It's not bad, but the competition is just that much better. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews

"Their Sound is Gone Out"
I used to sing in Handel's "Messiah" every year under a succession of very good conductors, and so became familiar with the dynamics, mood, and color of the choruses and arias. I also own several recordings of "Messiah", and I'd like to say that this version with Andrew Davis conducting is by far my favorite. Each separate chorus or aria is carefully sung and colored by beautiful orchestration. When Kathleen Battle floats into her part of the duet, "He shall feed his flock", she and her music will make you believe in angels, no matter what your religious inclination.

The chorus achieves that very special and disciplined baroque sound. Their dynamics are perfect and they skip tunefully through some of Handel's most fiendish choruses (I don't care how many times we sang "His Yoke Is Easy" or "All We Like Sheep" - one section, usually the sopranos, either fell behind the rest of us or mumbled the words).

Lastly, I'd like to single out John Aler, the tenor, and Samuel Ramey, the bass, as performing the highlights of this recording, for me. Aler has that clear, flexible, brilliant head voice that is so essential for the Handelian repetoire. Ramey is THE perfect coloratura bass, and he proves it again on this CD. I wish I could find a recording of him in Handel's "Rinaldo".

This is the "Messiah" You Want
Forget the "original instruments" versions. You want a big, rich (but not bombastic) "Messiah." This is the version you want. It's light but not insubstantial, gorgeous but not overblown and truly majestic as you imagine the sound should be. Plus Ramey and Battle are in great form. The perfect Christmas gift.

The Standard for All Other Messiah Recordings.
I have performed the Messiah many times - as a soloist, choir member and conductor. This CD sets the standard for all other recordings of the Messiah. The orchestra under Andrew Davis performs with a wide range of emotion, the soloists are brilliant (adding just enough ornamentation to the music to make it enjoyable - not unrecognizable), and the choir is magnificant. A wonderful collaboration of talent. Well done!