Prices shown exclude VAT. (UK tax is not payable for deliveries to United States.)
See Terms & Conditions for p&p rates. | |  | Handel: Messiah
The Huddersfield Choral society has one of the longest and most fruitful relationships with Handel’s famous Messiah than perhaps any other chorus in the world: they first performed it in concert during their inception year of 1836, and have continued to do so annually since 1860 with concerts the world over as well as in their hometown of Huddersfield. Recorded live in concert in December 2010, this new recording combines the famous ensemble with the Northern Sinfonia and four world-class professionals, under the direction of Jane Glover CBE. The disc begins with John Wainwright’s ‘Christians Awake’, a traditional addition to the Messiah programme at their concerts in Huddersfield. Also available on Signum is the Huddersfield Choral Society’s performance of Mozart’s 1787 arrangement of the work, with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Dame Felicity Lott, Philip Langridge and others under the direction of Sir Charles Mackerras (SIGCD074). “The buoyant chorus, under Glover’s incisive direction, goes from strength to strength. Four vigorous soloists play their part, especially the tenor Mark Le Brocq and the soprano Elizabeth Watts, particularly fine in If God Be for Us.” Sunday Times, 10th April 2011 **** “Those of us in Huddersfield Town Hall last December knew we had heard a Messiah of memorable quality. The choral singing was fleet and flexible, a strong line-up of soloists – Elizabeth Watts, Catherine Wyn-Rogers, Mark le Brocq and James Oldfield – had been assembled and Jane Glover directed the Northern Sinfonia with that rhythmic vitality which is her hallmark. To everyone’s good fortune the performance was recorded and the result is fresh, vivid and moving.” Yorkshire Evening Post, 15th April 2011 “their collective experience, wholehearted spirit and total commitment return handsome compensation for occasional rough ensemble edges, especially so in the 'Hallelujah Chorus' and final 'Amen'. Glover's sense of drama, attention to detail and tempo relationships, and feeling for ritual nourish a persuasive interpretation, one backed by the Northern Sinfonia's stylish playing.” Classic FM Magazine, July 2011 **** “Glover allow[s] plenty of light and air into the textures...The Huddersfield Choral Society surely knows this music inside out. You can sense the sheer discipline that has gone into its preparation...Pick of the bunch...is the soprano Elizabeth Watts, and not just in her solos: the duet at 'He shall feed his flock' is beautifully tender and reflective.” International Record Review, July 2011 | | | Usually despatched in 3 - 4 working days. |
|
|
| |  |
This recording of the Messiah was made during a public performance in Cologne in 1951. Here no homage was rendered to historicizing doctrine; rather the singers in the choir, the soloists and orchestral players and above all, the conductor, made Handel’s oratorio their own; they made music according to the criteria which their aesthetic judgement, their taste had determined. To hear this concert again today, after more than 50 years, is a unique adventure. After countless experiences from performances of this work shaped by the doctrines of historicizing performance practice one experiences here “historical performance practice” in a quite different sense. One that will doubtless arouse interest and approval among younger listeners for whom such a performance is new and unexpected. | | | Usually despatched in 4 - 5 working days. |
|
|
| |  | Handel: Messiahand Bach Magnificat BWV243
| | | Usually despatched in 8 - 10 working days. |
|
|
| |  |
| | | This item is currently out of stock at the UK distributor. You may order it now but please be aware that it may be six weeks or more before it can be despatched. |
|
|
| |  | Recorded live at Pieterskerk, Leiden, The Netherlands in 1993.
Handel’s retelling of the Christmas and Easter stories is as popular now as it was over two and a half centuries ago, from the heartfelt simplicity of ‘I know that my Redeemer liveth’ to the unsurpassable grandeur of the ‘Hallelujah’ chorus. The booklet also includes the complete sung text. | | | (also available to download from $20.75) | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. (Available now to download.) |
|
|
| |  | Handel: Messiah
This performance was recorded in Stuttgart in 1959. The bonus is Fritz Wunderlich singing excerpts from Handel’s Alcina with the Orchester der Cappella Coloniensis, conducted by Ferdinand Leitner and recorded in 1959. | | | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. |
|
|
| | | |  | staged version
Stage Director - Claus Guth Recorded live at the Theater an der Wien, 2009 Claus Guth, one of the most interesting and successful German stage directors in the area of theatrical music, has created a unique concept for the staging of Handel’s most famous work. Winner of the Diapason d'Or and the BBC Music Magazine Award, Spinosi and Ensemble Matheus is internationally acclaimed for its interpretations of early music on authentic period instruments. Video director Hannes Rossacher, internationally known as one of the leading video directors for rock and pop events (Rolling Stones), has captured this unique performance of the oratorio on film. “there are some penetrating ideas lurking behind the underlying premise, which in essence orbits around the moral, theological and familial fallout surrounding a suicide...the singing blazes with conviction...Not a Messiah for the faint-hearted but there are rich rewards for the open-mindedly indulgent.” BBC Music Magazine, December 2010 “The singing is very good (Susan Gritton and [Richard] Croft are particularly fine) and Jean-Christophe Spinosi's conducting is luscious.” Classic FM Magazine, January 2011 ** | | | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. |
|
|
| |  | staged version
Stage Director - Claus Guth Recorded live at the Theater an der Wien, 2009 Claus Guth, one of the most interesting and successful German stage directors in the area of theatrical music, has created a unique concept for the staging of Handel’s most famous work. Winner of the Diapason d'Or and the BBC Music Magazine Award, Spinosi and Ensemble Matheus is internationally acclaimed for its interpretations of early music on authentic period instruments. Video director Hannes Rossacher, internationally known as one of the leading video directors for rock and pop events (Rolling Stones), has captured this unique performance of the oratorio on film. “there are some penetrating ideas lurking behind the underlying premise, which in essence orbits around the moral, theological and familial fallout surrounding a suicide...the singing blazes with conviction...Not a Messiah for the faint-hearted but there are rich rewards for the open-mindedly indulgent.” BBC Music Magazine, December 2010 “The singing is very good (Susan Gritton and [Richard] Croft are particularly fine) and Jean-Christophe Spinosi's conducting is luscious.” Classic FM Magazine, January 2011 ** | | | This item is currently out of stock at the UK distributor. You may order it now but please be aware that it may be six weeks or more before it can be despatched. |
|
|
| |  |
Nathan Berg (bass), Yvette Smith (mezzo-soprano), Rufus Muller (tenor), Susan Lewis Kavinski (soprano) Washington National Cathedral Choir, Washington National Cathedral Baroque Orchestra, Michael McCarthy | |
|
| |
|
