Ivars Taurins - Handel: Messiah (2012)

  • 25 Jan, 15:29
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Artist:
Title: Handel: Messiah
Year Of Release: 2012
Label: Tafelmusik
Genre: Classical
Quality: FLAC (image + .cue, log, scans)
Total Time: 2:21:34
Total Size: 689 MB
WebSite:

Tracklist:

1-1 Sinfony
1-2 Tenor Accompagnato: Comfort Ye, My People
1-3 Tenor Ai: Ev'ry Valley Shall Be Exalted
1-4 Chorus: And The Glory Of The Lord
1-5 Bass Accompagnato: Thus Saith The Lord
1-6 Alto Air: But Who May Abide The Day Of His Coming
1-7 Chorus: And He Shall Purify The Sons Of Levi
1-8 Alto Recitative Behold, A Virgin Shall Conceive. Alto Air & Chorus: O Thou That Tellest Good Tidings To Zion
1-9 Bass Accompagnato: For Behold, Darkness Shall Cover The Earth
1-10 Bass Air: The People That Walked In Darkness
1-11 Chorus: For Unto Us A Child Is Born
1-12 Pifa Soprano Recitative / Accompagnato: There Were Shepherds
1-13 Chorus: Glory To God In The Highest
1-14 Soprano Air: Rejoice Greatly, O Daughter Of Zion
1-15 Alto Recitative: Then Shall The Eyes Of The Blind Be Opened Alto / Soprano Duet: He Shall Feed His Flock like A Shepherd
1-16 Chorus: His Yoke Is Easy
1-17 Chorus: Behold The Lamb Of God
1-18 Alto Air: He Was Despised

2-1 Chorus: Surely He Hath Borne Our Griefs
2-2 Chorus: And With His Stripes We Are Healed
2-3 Chorus: All We Like Sheep Have Gone Astray
2-4 Tenor Accompagnato: All They That See Him Laugh Him To Scorn
2-5 Chorus: He Trusted In God
2-6 Tenor Accompagnato: Thy Rebuke Hath Broken His Heart
2-7 Tenor Arioso: Behold, And See
2-8 Soprano Accompagnato: He Was Cut Off
2-9 Soprano Air: But Thou Didst Not Leave His Soul In Hell
2-10 Chorus: Lift Up Your Heads
2-11 Tenor Recitative: Unto Which Angels Chorus: Let All The Angels
2-12 Alto Air: Thou Art Gone Up On High
2-13 Chorus: The Lord Gave The Word
2-14 Soprano Air: How Beautiful Are The Feet
2-15 Chorus: Their Sound Is Gone Out
2-16 Bass Air: Why Do The Nations
2-17 Chorus: Let Us Break Their Bonds Asunder
2-18 Tenor Recitative: He That Dwelleth In Heaven Tenor Air: Thou Shalt Break Them
2-19 Chorus: Hallelujah
2-20 Soprano Air: I Know That My Redeemer Liveth
2-21 Chorus: Since By Man Came Death
2-22 Bass Accompagnato: Behold, I Tell You A Mystery
2-23 Bass Air: The Trumpet Shall Sound
2-24 Alto Recitative: Then Shall Be Brought To Pass Alto / Tenor Duet: O Death, Where Is Thy String?
2-25 Chorus: But Thanks Be To God
2-26 Soprano Air: If God Be For Us
2-27 Chorus: Worthy Is The Lamb
2-28 Chorus: Amen

Fulfilling all expectations for a historically informed performance on original instruments, Tafelmusik's period re-creation of George Frederick Handel's Messiah is among the finest on the market. Led by choral director Ivars Taurins, the award-winning Canadian ensemble is one of the most recognizable Baroque orchestras and chamber choirs in the world, and its excellent reputation is burnished by this 2011 performance, which radiates brillance and energy, along with an emotional depth that fully enhances the work's expression. The four vocal soloists are superb in their smooth tonal production and subtle phrasing, expert in the art of embellishment, and clear and easy to understand, despite the virtuosity of Handel's parts. Also outstanding in this regard is the choir, which is lean and limber, fully capable of handling the long streams of sixteenth notes while communicating every word. The orchestra is luminous in its string tone, and the crispness of the ensemble's playing brings across every rhythm and ornament with scintillating clarity. Even though this recording has been issued on two CDs, the reproduction is first-rate and quite as transparent and resonant as a super audio recording. Highly recommended. -- Blair Sanderson