Track Listing

Disc 1:

1. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Overture
2. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Recitative. Comfort Ye My People
3. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Aria. Every Valley Shall Be Exalted
4. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Chorus. And The Glory Of The Lord
5. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Recitative. Thus Saith The Lord
6. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Aria. But Who May Abide The Day Of His Coming?
7. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Chorus. And He Shall Purify
8. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Recitative. Behold, A Virgin Shall Conceive
9. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Aria & Chorus. O Thou That Tellest Good Tidings To Zion
10. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Recitative. For, Behold, A Darkness Shall Cover the Earth
11. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Aria. The People That Walked In Darkness
12. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Chorus. For Unto Us A Child Is Born
13. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Pastoral Symphony
14. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Recitative. There Were Shepherds Abiding In The Field
15. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Recitative. And The Angel Said Unto Them
16. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Recitative. And Suddenly There Was With The Angel
17. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Chorus. Glory to God
18. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Aria. Rejoice Greatly, O Daughter Of Zion
19. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Recitative. Then Shall The Eyes Of The Blind Be Opened
20. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Aria. He Shall Feed His Flock Like A Shepherd
21. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Chorus. His Yoke Is Easy, And His Burthen Is Light
22. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Chorus. Behold The Lamb Of God
23. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Aria. He Was Despised

Disc 2:

1. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Chorus. Surely He Hath Borne Our Griefs
2. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Chorus. And With His Stripes We Are Healed
3. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Chorus. All We Like Sheep Have Gone Astray
4. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Recitative. All They That See Him, Laugh Him To Scorn
5. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Chorus. He Trusted In God That He Would Deliver Him
6. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Recitative. Thy Rebuke Hath Broken His Heart
7. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Arioso. Behold, And See If There Be Any Sorrow
8. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Recitative. He Was Cut Off Out Of The Land Of The Living
9. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Aria. But Thou Didst Not Leave His Soul In Hell
10. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Chorus. Lift Up Your Heads, O Ye Gates
11. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Aria. How Beautiful Are The Feet Of Them
12. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Chorus. Their Sound Is Gone Out Into All Lands
13. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Aria. Why Do The Nations So Furiously Rage
14. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Chorus. Let Us Break Their Bonds Asunder
15. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Recitative. He That Dwelleth In Heaven
16. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Chorus. Hallelujah!
17. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Aria. I Know That My Redeemer Liveth
18. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Chorus. Since By Man Came Death
19. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Recitative. Behold, I Tell You A Mystery
20. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Aria. The Trumpet Shall Sound
21. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Recitative. Then Shall Be Brought To Pass
22. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Duet. O Death, Where Is Thy Sting?
23. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Chorus. But Thanks Be To God
24. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Aria. If God Be For Us, Who Can Be Against Us?
25. Messiah, oratorio, HWV 56: Chorus. Worthy Is The Lamb

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #708 in Music
• Released on: 2002-03-12
• Number of discs: 2
• Dimensions: .23 pounds

Customer Reviews

Glory of the Lord....
George Frederick Handel's Messiah is certainly one of the World's most beautiful musical compositions, and this recording is one of the best performances of this work. Conducted by John Aldis, The London Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir are absolutely heavenly. Equally wonderful are the soloists: Felicity Lott, Alfreda Hodgson, Phillip Langridge and Ulrik Cold.
While not performed on period instruments or exactly in the manner which Handel had in mind when he composed The Messiah, (for a more faithful performance I recommend Christopher Hogwood and the Academy of Ancient Music(UK) with soloists Paul Elliot, Emma Kirkby, Carolyn Watkinson and Judy Nelson) this traditional rendition certainly does the work justice. Each chorus is glorious, with a huge yet perfectly tuned sound, and the soloists soar.
This CD is a beautiful listening experience, and while I recommend having the more faithful period recording mentioned earlier as well, do not deny yourself the opportunity to experience this larger, more glorifying performance.

The Complete Messiah
As noted above, this two CD recording is pretty much the "complete" Messiah (numbers 34-37 are the only omission). Recorded by the London Philharmonic orchestra and choir, this is a very solid version of Handel's extraordinary work.

The Philharmonic does not attempt a period performance; instead, they present a modern interpretation with a traditional flavor. The orchestra is marvelous and the choir is completely on, even in the difficult runs of "For Unto Us A Child Is Born" and "All We Like Sheep." My only complaint is about the latter song: the choir sings so quickly, it feels like they are rushing to get to the end.

I would recommend this recording for anyone interested in owning the entire Messiah. It's faithful and complete. I love my copy!

A Solid, Affordable, Joyous Recording of a Masterpiece
If I were to recommend just one recording of The Messiah, this would be the one. I have owned and enjoyed this particular recording for many years, first as a four LP set(circa 1980)and now in this CD reissue. You can spend a great deal of money on a recording of The Messiah, but in my opinion, you will rarely get a better performance than this one.

Devotees of The Messiah generally fall into two basic categories: those who prefer a more "modern" approach (bigger chorus and orchestra with modern instruments) and those who prefer a "period" recording more similar to Handel's original (smaller ensembles and period instruments). I actually appreciate both for different reasons. This particular recording, however, is one of the very best of the more modern type, the type most people are used to hearing.

That being said, this is a great, affordable "mainstream" recording of The Messiah that I would highly recommend to anyone wanting a dependable, accessible and pleasant recording of this classic. The soloists are first-rate, as are the chorus and orchestra, and conductor Allis gives a steady hand that gives a Messiah that is neither too broad and romantic (as many recordings do) nor too tight and quirky that most listeners would find strange (as many "authentic" recordings can be at times). It is a joy to listen to and will remain so for years and years.