Darkness And The Light

1. Makers

2. Blind

3. Competition

4. Short Noise

5. Chat w/Mother

6. Drinking Problem

7. Backwards Light

8. Life Is But a Dream

9. Daggers

10. Light

Darkness And The Light,J. Hell,Wicked Witch,Pop,Rock,Rock/Pop

Average customer rating: The Etheral Tavener A Beauty that aches Heavenly music without equal Completely Enchanted by this Exquisite CD The Bridegroom

Darkness into Light John Tavener , The Chilingirian Quartet , and Anonymous 4 Manufacturer: Harmonia Mundi Fr. ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Tavener | Tavener, John Kenneth | ( T ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music | Requiems Anonymous 4 | ( A ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Classical | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: The Origin of Fire: Music and Visions of Hildegard von Bingen American Angels 1000: A Mass for the End of Time / Anonymous 4 Gloryland Wolcum Yule: Celtic and British Songs and Carols - Anonymous 4 with Andrew Lawrence-King ASIN: B00008RV0I Release Date: 2003-04-08

Tracks:

1. O Lux Beata Trinitas
2. Jube Domine/In Principio
3. Come And Do Your Will In Me
4. Christe Qui Lux Es
5. Lectio Ysaye Prophete/Surge Illuminare
6. As One Who Had Slept
7. Medie Noctis Tempus Est
8. Vidi Civitatem
9. The Lord's Prayer
10. Quinque Prudentes Virgines
11. The Bridegroom
12. Inventor Rutili

Amazon.com

Darkness into Light is the title of this new Anonymous 4 CD, and, indeed, many of the works refer to the perils and glory, religiously speaking, of the former and the latter, respectively. Sprinkled within the eight 12th- to 14th-century hymns, all beautifully performed and interestingly varied in tone and use of voices, are four works by the contemporary British composer John Tavener, one of which is receiving its recorded premiere and was composed for Anonymous 4 and the Chilingirian Quartet. It is called "The Bridegroom," and in its 17-plus minutes examines the metaphor of Christ-as-Bridegroom, with the strings standing for Christ and the four voices, in the words of the composer, for "the people of the world, full of that longing which is a kind of Divine eros." Be that as it may, it contains some wonderful high-lying vocal lines, many short, phrases and a series of long-held, fading-out notes. The effect is very interesting and the string quartet adds to the mystery. The other three Tavener works are in the same vein. Whether or not one subscribes to Tavener's only occasionally convincing brand of religiosity, the performances here--of his music and the rest--are gorgeous, as the Anonymous 4 sing with their usual combination of abundance and absolute purity--an odd combination, but a unique one. The ear is constantly enchanted here, even if one finds the ancient piety more appealing, universal, and convincing than the modern. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews:

The Etheral Tavener.......2006-09-05

I bought this CD a week ago and have listened to it every night at least once. I am a fan of church choral music. This album has some of the most interesting, moving and uplifting music I have listened to. I put Tavener up there with Talis, Gorecki, and the giants of the past.

A Beauty that aches.......2004-02-20

I'm not sure how I just happened upon John Tavener for the first time in my life. Where has he been hiding?

This album struck me much the same way Palestrina's Pope Marcellus mass struck me the first time I heard it. It's the kind of music that makes you lean back with your mouth open; wordless at the music that would be too divinely beautiful to touch if you could see it. It makes me whisper soft praises at the sheer love that God has inspired in certain musicians.

I like the medieval songs interspersed with Tavener's pieces. A perfect combination.

Heavenly music without equal.......2003-12-15

I ordered DARKNESS INTO LIGHT shortly after its release earlier this year, and I have listened to and enjoyed it immensely many time over since. Having recently ordered Anonymous 4's WOLCUM YULE, I was inspired to finally write a review of this masterwork collection of choral music.

DARKNESS INTO LIGHT's "subtitle" if you will is MEDIEVAL & MODERN--A MYSTICAL JOURNEY. I could think of no better way to describe the mood these works set: you do feel a sense of mystery and anticipation as you "journey" from one hymn to the next. I use the word hymn in the general sense, as the works have more than just a liturgical or religious sound that comes forth upon listening again and again. I literally get chills and am enthralled in particular by the Tavener selections presented here (Come and do Your will in me is I believe the most beautiful choral work of Tavener's and the most beautiful permformance I have heard from Anonymous 4 ever!)

Anonymous 4 in collaboration with the Chilingirian Quartet lavish great care and passion on these four pieces as they do with the entire album. The Tavener works are certainly the highlight if you are a devoted collector of his music as I am.

Not only is the singing and musicianship of both quartets astounding, the packaging for the CD is itself quite attractive and informative. Harmonia Mundi has placed the CD within a book that opens to display the four-color liner notes booklet. No need to fumble with removing the booklet from a traditional jewel case--a nice touch for those of us who enjoy reading the essays and production notes associated with a classical recording. The booklet is quite handsome, and includes two color plates, one probably attributable to Hieronymus Bosch, and one from the Tres Riches Heures du Duc de Berry, 15th c. France. Also included are librettos in English, French and German.

The 12 tracks are as as follows:

1) Vespers hymn: O lux beata trinitas
2) Jube domine/Lection: In principio
3) TAVENER: Come and do Your will in me (voices & strings)
4) Compline hymn: Christe qui lux es
5) Lectio ysaye prophete/Lection: Surge illuminare
6) Tavener: As one who has slept (voices & strings)
7) Nocturn hymn: Medie noctis tempus est
8) Leccio libri apokalipsis/Lection: Vidi civitatem
9) TAVENER: The Lord's Prayer
10) Alleluia: Quinque prudentes virgines
11) TAVENER: The Bridegroom (voices & strings)
*world premiere recording
12) Hymn for the New Light: Inventor rutili

This album must be heard to be appreciated. Whether you are familiar with Tavener and the quality of Anonymous 4 & the Chilingirian Quartet's recordings, or are new to all this, do yourself a tremendous favor and get a copy now! The production quality is nothing less than superb, as you would expect from Harmonia Mundi and the ladies of Anonymous 4.

This is my personal selection for CLASSICAL MUSIC ALBUM OF THE YEAR.

Completely Enchanted by this Exquisite CD.......2003-11-03

My son played this CD for me this evening and I promptly ordered it online and then continued to listen to the entire CD 5X's! This is the most hauntingly beautiful CD I've heard in years. A long-time fan of Anonymous 4, I am absolutely delighted in what I perceive to be their best recording to date. I enjoyed listening to the 12th-14th c. hymns and absolutely love the new works by Tavener. Since I particularly enjoy listening to Anonymous 4 CD's while at work, I am eagerly awaiting this latest CD to listen to while I work this winter! This CD is inspiring as well as beautiful.

The Bridegroom.......2003-07-19

I haven't actually listened to this entire album yet, but I will buy it just for "The Bridegroom," and I suggest you do the same if you enjoy chant-style vocal music at all. Tavener uses minor seconds all over the place to keep us on the edge of our seat, and his ancient style of chant combined with nouveux harmonies are absolutely exhilirating! Definitely listen to this one!

Average customer rating: A Poetic Journey... Nice! Fabulous! Fabulous Makes you want to listen and dance at the same time

Mystic Journey Manufacturer: Autumn Light Productions ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Electronic | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music | Computer General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | New Age | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Classical | Indie Music | Stores | Music General | New Age | Indie Music | Stores | Music International | New Age | Indie Music | Stores | Music General | Pop | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Miles Beyond Music For Harp Music For Harp, Flute and Cello Angels of Venice Awake Inside A Dream ASIN: B000040JKR Release Date: 1999-12-14

Tracks:

1. Topanga Dreams
2. Katyia's Dance
3. China Lily
4. Fertile Crescent
5. Lhasa Love
6. Aduman
7. Darjeeling Sunrise
8. Clouds across the Darkness
9. Silver Lake
10. Lotus

Album Description

About this CD (notes from the artist )

Topanga Dreams
Since 1988, I've lived in Topanga, California. This small mountain town has taught me the true meaning of community. By being there for each other, we can make dreams come true. May all your dreams come true...

Katyia's Dance
This song has evolved from being a solo dance performance piece in our Mystic Journey shows into a passionate tango...for two. So grab someone you love and enjoy the dance!

China Lily
This flute was a gift from my Dize (rhymes with pizza) teacher and is one of my favorites. Whenever I play it, I am transported to a place of inner peace and stillness.

Lhasa Love
I found this melody in a book of traditional Chinese folk songs, It was called Tibetan Dance before we transformed it into a lively multicultural boogie!

Aduman
Although there are many dialects spoken in the West African region of Guinea and Mali, the universal word for "sweet" amongst all the tribes is aduman.

Darjeeling Sunrise
Inspired by an Indian sunrise raga, this song reflects the experience that I had when I was on top of Tiger Hill in Darjeeling, India, witnessing a magical sunrise illuminating the awesome Himalayan mountains.

Customer Reviews:

A Poetic Journey..........2004-05-05

I fell in love with the music of The Angels of Venice years ago, and thus when I learned that Suzanne Teng (a former "Angel") had produced a solo work, I was very excited. But the music on this CD easily surpasses anything Teng had done with the Angels of Venice. Lyrical melodies, accompanied by enthnic rhythms on traditional percussion instruments, overlaid with Teng's own haunting performances on Asian flute, transport the listener to another time and another place -- both in this world, and in the "otherworld" created by Teng's mystical music edge. Tibetan singing bowls, Middle-Eastern bells, Celtic strings and a vast assortment of drums and wind instruments create a musical whirlwind that will leave the listener breathlessly awaiting Teng's next musical offering.

Nice!.......2004-01-01

Suzanne Teng, the original flutist with the group "Angels of Venice", breaks out on her own in this playful and exotic 1999 release. Teng shows herself a master of flutistry, not only the playing the standard western "C" flute, but also piccolo, alto and bass flutes, dize (Chinese bamboo flute), ney (Turkish flute) and panpipes. Her tone is rich and liquid, and her improvisations range from jazzy to sinuous to ephemeral depending on the style of the piece. Many of the selections have a strong Near- or Far Eastern flavor, but the mood remains gentle and cheerful throughout the album, without any of the dark intensity that characterizes some of the "Angels'" work. Teng is not alone in "Mystic Journey" either; many guest artists lend their well-established talents to the mix to create ever-varied layers of texture. Gilbert Levy provides intricate world percussion accompaniments, while cellist Martin Tillman, Prince Diabate, Hans Christiansen of Rasa and Greg Ellis of Vas (among others) also pop in to lend a hand, making for a richly orchestrated album that is full of apt and interesting surprises. Occasionally the flute melodies seem a little trite and meandering, qualities that are at odds with the earthy, percussive background, but overall this album is appealing. Teng's simultaneously light and down-to-earth compositions find ways to be relaxing without being boring--a common pitfall for many New Age artists. The music of "Mystic Journey" would be great for warm-ups and slow-dancing for belly dancers, as well as just pleasant listening after a mundane and stressful day at work. Other recordings featuring Suzanne Teng's flute-playing include "Awake Inside a Dream" and "Music for Flute, Harp and Cello" by the Angels of Venice. For more bamboo and metal flute improvisations, in this case without accompaniment, check out also Richard Warner's "Quiet Heart / Spirit Wind".

Fabulous!.......2002-07-05

I ordered this CD after only hearing two songs which I "accidentally" heard while flipping the channels of the television. There was a performance done on Public Access and I was surprised to see that a CD was available. I ordered one for myself and a friend who is a yoga instructor. I love this CD! It is perfect for yoga or meditation or even just in the background while working. The music is heartfelt and joyous and everyone who hears it immediately loves it. I would definitly recommend it, especially if you are looking to expand your collection of instrumental music. Personally, I love flute pieces, so this was a perfect choice for me.

Fabulous.......2001-06-28

I caught Suzanne Teng & Mystic Journey on vacation at this year's Topanga Days festival, but didn't buy the CD. I thought about their music the whole rest of the trip and ordered the CD as soon as I got home. It's truly magnificent and beautiful music, and I could listen to the CD over and over. Perfect background for anything - reading, meditating, special dinners, yoga, whatever. I find myself getting up just to move to the music. They're all very talented and the CD is a real stress-melter.

Makes you want to listen and dance at the same time.......2000-08-31

This is really an excellent independently-produced CD. Some of the tunes are fairly straight-forward, rhythmic wonders with Ms. Teng's incredible flute playing polishing them off. Others are more "world" sounding incorporating thraot singing and chanting. There is not a bad cut on the CD. Listen to Katiya's Waltz, and try to concentrate on the beautiful music while your feet waltz across the floor.

Average customer rating:

Handel: The Masterworks (Box Set) Manufacturer: Brilliant Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Trios | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Handel | Handel, George Frideric | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Concerto Grossi | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Sonatas | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Trio Sonatas | Sonatas | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Flute | Reeds & Winds | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Oboe | Reeds & Winds | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Recorder | Reeds & Winds | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Cantatas | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Anthems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Cantatas | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Hymns | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Passions | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Blowout Box Sets | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 20% Off | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Handel, George Frideric | ( H ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Brilliant Classics | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: Vivaldi: The Masterworks (Box Set) Haydn: The Masterworks [Box Set] Mendelssohn: The Masterworks [Box Set] Dvorák: The Masterworks [Box Set] Schubert: The Masterworks [Box Set] ASIN: B00062FLI8 Release Date: 2004-11-30

Average customer rating: Ladies & gentleman: The Lord'n Savior, God Almighty So Fashionable, and So Disappointing A nice combination of period nad tradiitonal Wait! Before you buy... La mas bella y fidedigna interpretacion que se pueda obtener

Handel - Messiah / Augér, von Otter, Chance, Crook, Tomlinson, English Concert, Pinnock George Frideric Handel , Arleen Auger , Anne Sofie von Otter , Trevor Pinnock , The English Concert & Choir , Michael Chance , Howard Crook , and John Tomlinson Manufacturer: Archiv Produktion ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Handel | Handel, George Frideric | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Pinnock, Trevor | ( P ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Otter, Anne Sophie von | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Opera & Vocal | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music Opera & Vocal | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music Blowout Box Sets | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 20% Off | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Handel, George Frideric | ( H ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Pinnock, Trevor | ( P ) | Performers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Otter, Anne Sophie von | ( O ) | Performers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Similar Items: Bach: Brandenburg Concertos / Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment Handel - Messiah / Ameling · A. Reynolds · Langridge · Howell · Marriner Belcea Quartet ~ Debussy · Dutilleux · Ravel Beethoven: Symphony No 9 /ORR * Gardiner Tchaikovsky: Symphony 6 "Pathétique" in B minor Op. 74 ASIN: B0000057DB Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

1. Messiah: Part One - 1. Sinfony (Grave - Allegro moderato)
2. Messiah: Part One - 2. Accompagnato : Comfort Ye My People
3. Messiah: Part One - 3. Air : Ev'ry Valley Shall Be Exalted
4. Messiah: Part One - 4. Chorus : And The Glory Of The Lord Shall Be Revealed
5. Messiah: Part One - 5. Accompagnato : Thus Saith The Lord Of Hosts
6. Messiah: Part One - 6. Air : But Who May Abide The Day Of His Coming
7. Messiah: Part One - 7. Chorus : And He Shall Purify
8. Messiah: Part One - 8. Recitative : Behold, A Virgin Shall Conceive
9. Messiah: Part One - 9. Air and Chorus : O Thou That Tellest Good Tidings
10. Messiah: Part One - 10. Accompagnato : For Behold, Darkness Shall Cover
11. Messiah: Part One - 11. Air : The People That Walked In Darkness
12. Messiah: Part One - 12. Chorus : For Unto Us A Child Is Born
13. Messiah: Part One - 13. Pifa (Pastoral Symphony)
14. Messiah: Part One - 14. Recitative: There Were Shepherds Abiding In The Field - Accompagnato: And Lo, The Angel Of The Lord - 15. Recitative: And The Angel Said Unto Them - 16. Accompagnato: And Suddenly There Was With The Angel
15. Messiah: Part One - 17. Chorus : Glory To God In The Highest
16. Messiah: Part One - 18. Air : Rejoice Greatly, O Daughter Of Zion
17. Messiah: Part One - 19. Recitative : Then Shall The Eyes Of The Blind
18. Messiah: Part One - 20. Air : He Shall Feed His Flock
19. Messiah: Part One - 21. Chorus : His Yoke Is Easy, His Burthen Is Light
20. Messiah: Part Two - 22. Chorus : Behold The Lamb Of God
21. Messiah: Part Two - Air : 23. He Was Despised

Tracks:

1. Messiah: Part Two - 24. Chorus : Surely He Hath Borne Our Griefs
2. Messiah: Part Two - 25. Chorus : And With His Stripes We Are Healed
3. Messiah: Part Two - 26. Chorus : All We Like Sheep Have Gone Astray
4. Messiah: Part Two - 27. Accompagnato : All They That See Him
5. Messiah: Part Two - 28. Chorus : He Trusted In God
6. Messiah: Part Two - 29. Accompagnato : Thy Rebuke Hath Broken His Heart
7. Messiah: Part Two - 30. Arioso : Behold, And See If There Be Any Sorrow
8. Messiah: Part Two - 31. Accompagnato : He Was Cut Off Out Of The Land
9. Messiah: Part Two - 32. Air : But Thou Didst Not Leave His Soul
10. Messiah: Part Two - 33. Chorus : Lift Up Your Heads, O Ye Gates
11. Messiah: Part Two - 34. Recitative : Unto Which Of The Angels
12. Messiah: Part Two - 35. Chorus : Let All The Angels Of God Worship Him
13. Messiah: Part Two - 36. Air : Thou Art Gone Up On High
14. Messiah: Part Two - 37. Chorus : The Lord Gave The Word
15. Messiah: Part Two - 38. Air : How Beautiful Are The Feet
16. Messiah: Part Two - 39. Chorus : Their Sound Is Gone Out
17. Messiah: Part Two - 40. Air : Why Do The Nations So Furiously Rage
18. Messiah: Part Two - 41. Chorus : Let Us Break Their Bonds Asunder
19. Messiah: Part Two - 42. Recitative : He That Dwelleth In Heaven
20. Messiah: Part Two - 43. Air : Thou Shalt Break Them
21. Messiah: Part Two - 44. Chorus : Hallelujah
22. Messiah: Part Three - 45. Air : I Know That My Redeemer Liveth
23. Messiah: Part Three - 46. Chorus : Since By Man Came Death
24. Messiah: Part Three - 47. Recitative : Behold, I Tell You A Mystery
25. Messiah: Part Three - 48. Air : The Trumpet Shall Sound
26. Messiah: Part Three - 49. Recitative : Then Shall Be Brought To Pass
27. Messiah: Part Three - 50. Duet : O Death, Where Is Thy Sting?
28. Messiah: Part Three - 51. Chorus : But Thanks Be To God
29. Messiah: Part Three - 52. Air : If God Be For Us
30. Messiah: Part Three - 53. Chorus : Worthy Is The Lamb That Was Slain --- Amen

Amazon.com essential recording

This is a terrific performance of Messiah. Not only are the soloists all superb, but Trevor Pinnock completely contradicts the image of many period instrument performances as small-scale, scrappy affairs. Indeed, he invests the choruses with as much genuine Handelian pomp as Beecham at his most extravagant. The trumpets really blaze, and the timpani thunder, and everyone simply has a great time. A joyous performance, just right for the holiday season. --David Hurwitz

Amazon.com

Trevor Pinnock meets with mixed success in this account of the Messiah with the English Concert & Choir and soloists Arleen Auger, Anne Sofie von Otter, Michael Chance, Howard Crook, and John Tomlinson, recorded and released in 1988. Its strengths are the strengths of the early-music movement in general. The size and distribution of the instrumental and vocal forces are optimal, which means that textures are clear and balances apt. Rhythms are nicely pointed, though often, in Pinnock's case, not quite well enough sprung. Tempos are well chosen; for example, "All we like sheep"--which turns out to be one of the set's best numbers--is a real bourré, and Pinnock animates it in just the right way. But the performance often seems workmanlike and unemotional, weighed down in too many instances by the humdrum work of the chorus. The alto section in particular, which is half male and half female, sings timidly and is constantly swallowing its entrances. Bass soloist John Tomlinson is a further drag on the effort. He has the right idea--that there's an Italian opera hiding behind all this biblical imagery--but his cottony sound is out of place, a misguided attempt to mimic Nicolai Ghiaurov. His usable range is less than a tenth (he croaks the low G's and F-sharps), and his diction is horrible. "Thus spake the Lord" is strangled, and when, in "The trumpet shall sound" Tomlinson gets to the words "we shall be changed," one can't help wishing that he had been changed too, right before the sessions started. --Ted Libbey

Customer Reviews:

Ladies & gentleman: The Lord'n Savior, God Almighty.......2007-06-13

Handel's Messiah is my favorite piece of classical music. Of the two versions that I had I only have left this one, and it is not the best (the other had been a cheap recording whose author's name I forgot too). This version seems to lack a little enthusiasm from the voices; too melancholic. Anyway, this is the first review of any music that I write, and probably will be the last too, so I just want to leave my impression of how I feel when I hear these solemn and heavenly sounds. One feels so raised to the heavenlies... I can almost sense the presence of the Lord Almighty up yonder among the clouds, and me being carried in solemnity to meet Him. Far away are the buzzing sounds of earthly chores. The air is fresh and clean as we are raised above the valleys, and we come to meet God's elected amid the singing, stronger and stronger. Jubilant, bathed in the glorious rays of the Savior's Light, we come together and sing: Glory to God, glory to God, praise and glory for He is coming...

So Fashionable, and So Disappointing.......2007-02-01

This would be a great 21st Century Reader's Digest version of Messiah, if such a thing existed any more. Handel did as much as he could, but really, the performers still have to do something besides posture, which, by the way, seems to me to characterize many performances these days. Fashionable, but musically deficient.

Specifically: John Tomlinson sings like he thinks he IS God, instead of singing about Him. Heavy, cumbersome, and overblown. May I add boorish?

Arleen Auger has a very sweet voice. And??

Despite the program notes insisting that certain segments of this Messiah are given to "the contralto", Anne Sofie von Otter is NOT a contralto. Not even close.

The male alto can barely sustain a legato line - why he insists upon throwing in those complicated, badly-performed embellishments I can't figure. Well, I can, but I'd really rather not say.

Wake up, choristers!! It's 'For Unto Us A Child Is Born," not "Oy, I have to go to the grocery store today."

Boy do I regret having spent almost $40 on this one. Thank goodness I have the Colin Davis to console me.

A nice combination of period nad tradiitonal.......2006-12-17

This 1988 recording sits between the euqally English, euqally period-ifnluenced Hogwood and Garidner. Of the three, Hogwood sounds more 'authentic' because it uses boys in the chorus and singers schooled period practice. By comparison, Pinnock's soprano, Arleen Auger, and mozeeo, Von Otter, are essentially modern singers--gorgeous ones, of course, Gardiner is far more anemic in his conducting and uses a scrwny-sounding orchestra, so if that's more authentic, so be it. Of the three, Pinnock gives us more traditional music values in his emotional expression and instrumental timbres.

The competiiton is mushc stiffer now than in 1988, but Pinnock's reading has survived the test of time. He is not a genuinely inspired conductor--sadly, Messiah has become a cottage industry that excludes most big-name talents--but neither are Gardiner and Hogwood. (For sheer musicality, I tend to put my money on Andrew Parrott, Robert King, Marc Minkowski, Niklaus Harnoncourt, and Rene Jacobs.) But he's certainly good eough. The reason I haven't given five stars is that the male soloists aren't first-rate, and in particular the Wotan voice of John Tomlinson sounds cavernous in the bass arias. Add to that Pinnock's tendency toward tepidness, and what you end up with is a very good but not great performance.

Wait! Before you buy..........2006-05-28

... This Messiah has recently been re-released at a much cheaper price. Go back and look for the DG "The Originals" release, which is being sold new for under $12.

La mas bella y fidedigna interpretacion que se pueda obtener.......2004-12-29

Soy uno de los mas fanaticos seguidores de Handel y de su obra El Mesias... He escuchado muchas versiones de esta genial e impresionante obra del maestro Handel y, sencillamente no me queda mas que recomendar esta interpretacion, bajo la batuta del maestro Trevor Pinnock. Se nota la exigencia con que esta version se interpreto, dentro el contexto del arte barroco y la magnificencia de la pronunciacion del ingles de la epoca. La orquesta se luce impresionantemente desde la obertura... y le da a cada movimiento, toda aquella fuerza y a la vez delicadeza requerida en el sentimiento que aplica en cada uno de los textos biblicos escogidos por el guionista Jennens. El Coro del English Concert es arrebatador y demuestra maestria en la interpretacion de cada una de las arias que le corresponde. La soprano Arleen Auger, la puedo definir como un angel cantando y resulta ser una caricia a los oidos, a la vez que es capaz de arrancarle a uno las lagrimas por lo excelso de su magia interpretativa. El tenor Crook, aunque no es un tenor con tesitura para canto barroco, es realmente habil y agil al momento de interpretar los melismas caracteristicos de este brillante periodo musical. El contratenor Michael Chance, es fenomenal y quiera Dios que yo tenga el honor de conocer a este genio del canto: "But who may abide..." interpretado por Chance en esta version, es como para caer en extasis. La contralto Anne Sophie von Otter..., tiene una voz oscura y redondeada..., tambien resulta una caricia a los oidos y su "If God be for us..." es desbordante, capaz tambien de hacerle a uno derramar lagrimas por su belleza interpretativa. El bajo Tomlinson..., es barbaro!!! (Soy bajo-baritono en el Coro de la Orquesta Sinfonica Nacional de Costa Rica...) A pesar de su voz tan oscura, es tremendamente agil cuando le toca cantar los melismas y es genial al alcanzar la tonalidad brillante en las partes de notas altas y agudas...; por ejemplo: "The people that walked in darkness..." y "Why do the nations..." Tengo seis años de experiencia, interpretando musica coral y tengo que decir que espere esos seis años, desde 1999, para felizmente cantar esta obra "El Mesias". Ha sido fantastico finalmente lograr este objetivo..., la espera valio la pena y debo admitir que mi inspiracion ha sido sin duda alguna, la version que puede usted encontrar en este disco compacto. Doy gracias a todos los que intervinieron en esta grabacion (al maestro Trevor Pinnock, al English Concert and Choir y a los solistas ya mencionados), en nombre mio y en nombre del maestro Handel.

Average customer rating: From Solo Piano Publications

Out of the Darkness, Into the Light Michael Stribling Manufacturer: Leela Music ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Folk | Styles | Music General | New Age | Styles | Music Similar Items: Songs of Hope & Healing Journey Within Immersion: Two ASIN: B000L22UT6 Release Date: 2007-01-01

Tracks:

1. - Driven
2. - Out of the Darkness, Into the Light
3. - Northern Lights
4. - Letting Go/Afterthought
5. - Seven Faces of Home
6. - Ripples of Awareness
7. - Reflection
8. - Longing
9. - Water Nebula
10. - Glory and Honor/A Glimpse Beyond

Product Description

The follow-up to the #1 debut album (Songs of Hope and Healing), "Out of the Darkness, Into the Light" is a collection of 10 new age instrumental compositions that celebrates the journey from our ego-driven nature to higher levels of awareness and consciousness. There's plenty of evocative heart music here, with lush harmonies and moving melodies.

Customer Reviews:

From Solo Piano Publications.......2007-01-19

"Out of the Darkness, Into the Light" is multi-instrumentalist Michael Stribling's follow-up to 2006's chart-topping "Songs of Hope and Healing." I haven't heard Stribling's earlier work, but I sure like this CD! Most of the ten tracks are ambient and spacious, but there are a couple of very rhythmic, uptempo pieces that make you sit up and take notice. The piano appears in several of the pieces, but this is much more of an electronic CD. Stribling's mission is "to help others in their journey toward wholeness through the gift of music, by creating works that inspire and uplift the human spirit" (from his website). Stribling calls his label "Leela Music," and "leela" means "divine play," so this music obviously comes from a rich variety of sources. Stribling has been playing the piano since he was seven, and was a percussionist for Johnny Mathis early in his career. After several years working as a studio musician, playing in musical theater, and radio announcing, Stribling went back to graduate school in 1981 and became a marriage and family therapist. After working in that field for many years, life changes brought him back to music in 2005. Lucky us!

The CD opens with "Driven," a piece whose pounding beat and intoxicating rhythm I find completely addicting. In the car, I had the volume up to the point of being almost painful and kept hitting the "repeat" button on the CD player. My piano students could probably hear me coming from several blocks away! Sure to bring a smile and more than a few head bobs! From there, we get down to more serious business. The title track takes us on a journey that begins with the feeling of dark mystery that is non-threatening, but not entirely comfortable. As the piece unfolds, it explores several themes, gradually brightening until it breaks into the light as the darker theme fades out. "Northern Lights" gives the feeling of floating in darkness that is deep, but also very peaceful and beautiful. Various sounds suggest the changing colors of the Northern Lights as they melt from one breathtaking hue to another. Gorgeous! "Letting Go/Afterthought" is much more introspective and melancholy. The middle section of the piece is solo piano, personalizing it even more. One of my favorite tracks is "Longing," which begins with a very simple but compelling rhythmic theme that suggests a plucked stringed instrument. That theme continues throughout the piece as string washes add fullness and color. Becoming more orchestrated as it evolves, the simple theme comes to the forefront from time to time. As feelings of longing are, the piece is tinged with sadness and loss, but is not without hope. Very effective! "Glory and Honor / A Glimpse Beyond" begins on a jaunty, upbeat note. More melodic than most of the works, it also has an infectious rhythm and a playful spirit that segues later to the ambient feeling of crystalline open space and of floating peacefully on air.

"Out of the Darkness, Into the Light" is a fascinating musical journey and one that I really enjoyed. Recommended!

Average customer rating: A COMEPLETE MASTERPIECE - In every sense of the word... a differant, but equally intersting green carnation A prog-metal epic that lives up to the hype! could have been better. Great CD

Light of Day, Day of Darkness Green Carnation Manufacturer: The End Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Goth | Goth & Industrial | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Death Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: The Acoustic Verses The Quiet Offspring Blessing in Disguise The Mantle Second Life Syndrome ASIN: B00005UK1F Release Date: 2002-01-08

Tracks:

1. Light Of Day, Day Of Darkness

Album Description

Full title - Light Of The Day, Day Of Darkness. Immensely epic in scope, blasting through dark passages of swollen, over-distorted guitars to serene, idyllic moments of acoustic & choral enchantment, this release will surely go down in history as one of the most progressive, innovative albums to ever see the light of day. More than 30 musicians were involved into this epic project, including full opera & children's choirs, classical composers, saxophonists, church organists & a lot more. This highly complex work of art was recorded using 150 tracks & almost 600 samplers. The End Records.

Customer Reviews:

A COMEPLETE MASTERPIECE - In every sense of the word..........2007-05-17

'Light of Day, Day of Darkness' is a complete album in every possible way: Not only is the album one continuous song; it is one whole composition, fitted together with all the necessary components that make for a complete masterpiece!!!
The epic nature of this song is really hard to describe in words. Although I have listened to it multiple times in its entirety I am always amazed by its brilliance. The band utilizes a full orchestra with their powerful riffs to create climactic build-ups within the composition. The intensity of these developments sometimes lead straight into another guitar sequence of even more epic proportions. The male vocals on this composition are perfectly suited to the mood and flow of the piece, sung mostly in a baritone type range, with some operatic sections and minimal yelling. The female chanting/singing in the middle section of the song is wonderfully appropriate followed by a lengthy guitar solo that is completely euphoric.
The tones used for many of the riffs are a high-pitched metallic sound that immediately result in serious head-banging. The great thing about this piece is how some of the riffs are recurring throughout while also incorporating newer soundscapes into the composition as it unfolds, thus creating a complete song - unlike other bands who seem to combine multiple songs into one just for the sake of creating a single song.
No amount of words can ever do this album justice - it quickly became one of my favorite albums ever upon hearing it a few times through. If you like epic progressive metal this is a must have!

RECOMMENDATION: If you want to hear other metal of epic and progressive nature then check out Aghora's album 'Formless'. The riffage will not disappoint you!

a differant, but equally intersting green carnation.......2006-10-18

This album if you have not yet gathered consists of one peice of music. On some editions the peice has been split into tracks , but it is still just one peice of music.
It starts off with some samples and acoustic guitars, light drums and clean vocals. This sets the mood for the album. It is a dark reflective peice of music, yet this is not doom metal, nor does it get particularily heavy or fast at any point.
The Song is a series of passages and twists and turns. Passages are repeated and referred back to in various places so the listener can grab some sense of familiarality, and it ends much like it finishes. But inbetween there is many parts, some good riffs and some nice vocal parts, both clean and black metal inspired.

This peice however is not about choruses and riffs, it is about atmosphere and mood and it creates these very well.A dark reflective song it can engulf the listener as it evolves and changes, builds up to false climaxes and unexpected changes.
It could be perhaps more varied, yet like i said the peice sets a mood and it does so very well. Even so, there is a fair amount of textures and dynamics here, ranging from picked acoustic guitars, to double pedals and distorted guitars, to (original) clean vocal, to black metals vocals, to tense string-like riffs even to saxaphone solos and female scat singing.
The lyrics are about the fall into insanity which add to the musical depth of the album.

this album is worth buying if you are into intelligent metal at all, opeth, agalloch, black metal, katatonia etc...

In short, this is not a novelty project, it is a complete peice as a whole (even though it is part 1 of a later sequal) with a varied soundscape and use of dynamics. Heavy at times, darkly beautiful at others.

worth hearing if you are into metal / rock / experintal or just have an ear for good music

thankyou

A prog-metal epic that lives up to the hype!.......2006-04-22

I realize a lot of people give extra high ratings to concept albums, especially single song concept albums. Most of the time the ratings are totally undeserved. However, this album really is interesting. I was very skeptical because with the exception of Jethro Tull's Thick as a Brick, most of these projects fall woefully short of a 5 star rating.

In all honesty, so does this recording. It isn't an "absolute, must have or your life will be unfulfilled" kind of recording. However, it is better than most skeptics like myself would have thought. Even my "metal-phobic" friends and co-workers enjoyed this effort. It's got enough metal to have a bite when needed and enough prog to draw you into their world. I've only listened to the album 7 times since buying it a couple weeks ago, so I'm not too deeply involved into the lyrics and story. Then again, I rarely pay attention to lyrics unless they are audaciously bad.

I'm not going to go into minute by minute detail other than to say as others have said that the female vocalist's solo in the middle of the song is not only bad, but it is also out of place and ill-fitting the rest of the music. Personally, I ripped this into a sound editor, removed that section, and reassembled the track. That alone puts it in the 4.5 star category. All in all, this is well worth the $12 investment and will definitely provide a lot of musical enjoyment in the years to come.

could have been better........2005-10-08

I don't know why some people compare this album to anything Pink Floyd has done, because quite honestly this album doesn't compare. It is an admirable effort and overall pretty decent, but not even in the same ballpark in terms of greatness as The Wall, or Dark Side of the Moon.

I decided to put the 60 minute opus on while I write this review. There are some great riffs at the start, and indeed, throughout most of the first 30 minutes, but that's about where it ends. Kjetil Nordhus' voice kind of reminds me Jonas Renkse, the singer from Katatonia. It's very pleasant, and has a sad, lamenting quality that doesn't sound overdone.

It's pretty obvious that the 60 minute track is actually several different songs tied together, and in that respect it's not written very well. Good progressive music is beginning at one point and arriving at an entirely different point and not being able to explain exactly how you got there because it sounds so natural. An example would be Agalloch's brilliant song In The Shadow of Our Pale Companion. This track isn't like that. It's not arranged very well, but it's not bad either. It's just not something I get lost in.

There are some great moments in this album, though. Great riffs, but most of them happen before minute 33. Indeed, it's when you're cruising along to a kickass riff that the song drops off a frickin' cliff and goes into a quiet passage. The vocals change, and the woman kind of reminds me of Lisa Gerrard from Dead Can Dance, although less impressive. This halfway point is usually where I start the CD over, because as I said before everything up to that point is really, really good. The song just loses a ton of momentum at the halfway point, and even though I've heard the whole thing on more than a couple occasions, I can't be arsed to review it proper. So I'm just going to say it was less impressive than the first half, although there's some good stuff happening around minute 44-55.

The quiet passage just doesn't work for me at all, which is unfortunate because it cuts the song in half. It would've been better to end quiety with it, because then the arrangement would've at least made some sense.

If you're a fan of progressive music, or if you are interested in this band/CD soley on the strength of the bands it is associated with (like me), then you'll probably dig it. It's certainly not epic SOUNDING, nor is it life-changing, so as long as your expectations are in check you'll be okay.

Great CD.......2005-08-25

This album is definitely different than anything I've ever heard. I'm a huge metalhead & love all things heavy. This CD is actually kind of mellow, with heavier parts. When it comes to the more mellow music, it takes a lot to really get me, most of it just gets really boring. This is a very good one, sort of psycedelic actually. A great one to get stoned to. It has some hints of heavier metal that really adds a lot to it also. One of my favorite things about it is that it's only 1 song, a song that lasts an hour. That's something you don't see too often. If you can get into the more melodic Opeth stuff you'll like this CD for sure.

Average customer rating: Call iit what you will.

Songs of Darkness, Words of Light My Dying Bride Manufacturer: Peaceville UK ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Goth | Goth & Industrial | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Alternative Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Death Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: The Dreadful Hours A Line of Deathless Kings Turn Loose the Swans ASIN: B000E5KU5G Release Date: 2006-03-14

Tracks:

1. The Wreckage Of My Flesh
2. The Scarlet Garden
3. Catherine Blake
4. My Wine In Silence
5. The Prize Of Beauty
6. The Blue Lotus
7. And My Fury Stands Ready
8. A Doomed Lover

Product Description

1. The Wreckage Of My Flesh
2. The Scarlet Garden
3. Catherine Blake
4. My Wine In Silence
5. The Prize Of Beauty
6. Blue Lotus
7. And My Fury Stands Ready
8. A Doomed Lover

Format: CD

Customer Reviews:

Call iit what you will........2007-06-13

My Dying Bride prefers to call thier music "Doom Metal", and MDB fans hate it when you call this band "Gothic Metal"...but in truth, either tag applies. Whatever you want to call it...it's an amazing album. I love it's slow and melodic atmosphere...ultra darkness. If your looking for deathmetal...there are a few traces of that here. This isn't a speedy or hard hitting power band....this is just sheer dark metal that evokes darke desire and invites deep emotional response. IMO, this is one of the most unique band in metal culture.

Average customer rating: Darkness Into Light

Darkness into Light Priscilla Herdman Manufacturer: Flying Fish Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Folk | Styles | Music Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music General | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music Christian Contemporary Music | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music General | Folk | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Seasons of Change Forever & Always Stardreamer: Nightsongs & Lullabies The Road Home Voices ASIN: B000000MKL Release Date: 1992-09-29

Tracks:

1. The Faith Of Man
2. When The Children Come Home
3. Old Jack Ryan
4. I Remember Loving You
5. Lonesome Road
6. The Coming Of The Roads
7. wood River
8. Rockin' In A Weary Land
9. From The Lambing To The Wool
10. Ain't I A Woman
11. Turn Around/The Gartan Mother's Lullaby
12. Walls And Windows
13. Peace Must Come

Customer Reviews:

Darkness Into Light.......2007-01-04

This music is like soul food, as odd as that may sound. I haven't heard this album in almost 13 years. My parents raised us on folk and bluegrass, so this album was great. Her voice is pure and strong, and still very tender. I am so thrilled to have found this!!

Average customer rating: Wonderful Tribute A Nice Tribute To Ray Charles Terrific tribute to Ray Charles My favorite Shirley Horn Rare Sensibility plus a Unique Repertoire

Light out of Darkness (A Tribute to Ray Charles) Shirley Horn Manufacturer: Polygram Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music Traditional Jazz General | Traditional Jazz & Ragtime | Jazz | Styles | Music Vocal Jazz General | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Traditional Pop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: I Remember Miles You Won't Forget Me Here's to Life Loving You Close Enough for Love ASIN: B0000046QQ Release Date: 1993-09-21

Tracks:

1. Hit The Road, Jack
2. Just A Little Lovin'
3. You Don't Know Me
4. Drown In My Own Tears
5. Hard Hearted Hannah (The Vamp Of Savannah)
6. Georgia On My Mind
7. Makin' Whoopie
8. Green (It's Not Easy Being Green)
9. Bye Bye Love
10. The Sun Died
11. How Long Has This Been Going On
12. If You Were Mine
13. I Got A Man
14. Just For A Thrill
15. Light Out Of Darkness

Amazon.com essential recording

Shirley Horn's tribute to Ray Charles is typically idiosyncratic yet unaffected by a need to justify the critical hype. She plays organ as well as piano while Charles Ables doubles on bass and guitar and Gary Bartz adds soulful alto-sax obliggatos. Horn's versions of "Hit the Road, Jack" and "I Got a Man" replace the gospel fire of the originals with sexy, lighthearted swing, while "Drown in My Own Tears" is more torch ballad than bluesy hymn. The album's emotional centerpiece is "Green (It's Not Easy Being Green)," a tune Brother Ray borrowed from Kermit the Frog. Amazingly, Horn finds deeper meaning in the lyric than either of them. --Rick Mitchell

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful Tribute.......2003-10-04

The song selections and the heartfelt delivery make this a wonderful tribute to Ray Charles and his gift to the world! Add Shirley Horn to the mix, and you have an outstanding musical release!

A Nice Tribute To Ray Charles.......2002-07-27

This is a departure from the usual material that Shirley Horn does but it comes off well. There are more uptempo tunes than she normally does and certainly, in spirit, you have to think of Ray Charles as you listen to her renditions of the songs associated with him.

My favorites are the ballads because, in my opinion, that is her strength and in this area, I think she has few peers. She sings the way Miles Davis used to play a ballad with his trumpet, making extremely effective use of space within the melody. As such my two favorites on this cd are "The Sun Died" and the title song.

Especially Ray Charles or Shirley Horn fans should enjoy this one.

Terrific tribute to Ray Charles.......2001-10-18

This is a wonderful tribute album to Ray Charles. Shirley Horn is just fabulous as are the other musicians. "Green" happens to be my favourite track, which is just Shirley's voice and piano and is just wonderful. But each and every track on here is great, couldn't be better. She puts such feeling and meaning into each song, and I am so glad I finally discovered her. This may be my first Shirley Horn album, but it will not be my last. The 12 page booklet has great liner notes as well as a few photos.

My favorite Shirley Horn.......2001-09-19

This is worth getting if only for her "It's Not Easy Being Green," the best reading of that song I have heard by anyone. It's one thing to read the lyrics and understand the meaning, but Shirley really makes you feel it. Just deeply beautiful. And in a perfect world, it would have ruled the radio in '93 and Ken Burns would've talked about the great Shirley Horn revival in these last 10 years. Ah, well. If the record couldn't sweep the nation, at least it could be a big hit in your house.

Rare Sensibility plus a Unique Repertoire.......2000-07-09

Maybe some say it is not the most representative Ray Charles. Also maybe some say it did not tingle but Ms.Horn did hit the road and made it with the personal Ray Charles material. Great renditions of "Being Green" and Gershwin's "How Long Has This Been Going On". There is also an extraordinary rendition of "The Sun Died", a French song wonderfully recorded by Mr. Charles. Impressive!

Average customer rating: Finally a Messiah with fervor! Great recording! Good and Bad This is a great recording!

Handel: Messiah Manufacturer: Naxos ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Handel | Handel, George Frideric | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music Similar Items: Christmas at Trinity ASIN: B00002R16A Release Date: 1999-11-30

Tracks:

1. Messiah: No. 1 Overture
2. Messiah: No. 2 Arioso For Tenor
3. Messiah: No. 3 Air For Tenor
4. Messiah: No. 4 Chorus
5. Messiah: No. 5 Recitative For Bass
6. Messiah: No. 6 Air For Bass
7. Messiah: No. 7 Chorus
8. Messiah: No. 8 Recitative For Alto
9. Messiah: No. 9 Air For Alto And Chorus
10. Messiah: No. 10 Arioso For Bass
11. Messiah: No. 11 Air For Bass
12. Messiah: No. 12 Chorus
13. Messiah: No. 13 Pifa (Pastoral Symphony)
14. Messiah: No. 14a Recitative And No. 14b Arioso For Soprano
15. Messiah: No. 15 Recitative For Soprano
16. Messiah: No. 16 Arioso For Soprano
17. Messiah: No. 17 Chorus
18. Messiah: No. 18 Air For Soprano
19. Messiah: No. 19 Recitative For Alto
20. Messiah: No. 20 Air For Alto And Soprano
21. Messiah: No. 21 Chorus
22. Messiah: No. 22 Chorus
23. Messiah: No. 23 Air For Alto
24. Messiah: No. 24 Chorus
25. Messiah: No. 25 Chorus
26. Messiah: No. 26 Chorus

Tracks:

1. Messiah: No. 27 Arioso For Tenor
2. Messiah: No. 28 Chorus
3. Messiah: No. 29 Recitative For Tenor
4. Messiah: No. 30 Air For Tenor
5. Messiah: No. 31 Recitative For Tenor
6. Messiah: No. 32 Air For Tenor
7. Messiah: No. 33 Chorus
8. Messiah: No. 34 Recitative For Tenor
9. Messiah: No. 35 Chorus
10. Messiah: No. 36 Air For Alto
11. Messiah: No. 37 Chorus
12. Messiah: No. 38 Aria For Soprano
13. Messiah: No. 39 Chorus
14. Messiah: No. 40 Air For Bass
15. Messiah: No. 41 Chorus
16. Messiah: No. 42 Recitative For Tenor
17. Messiah: No. 43 Air For Tenor
18. Messiah: No. 44 Chorus
19. Messiah: No. 45 Air For Soprano
20. Messiah: No. 46 Chorus
21. Messiah: No. 47 Recitative For Bass
22. Messiah: No. 48 Air For Bass
23. Messiah: No. 49 Recitative For Alto
24. Messiah: No. 50 Duet For Alto And Tenor
25. Messiah: No. 51 Chorus
26. Messiah: No. 52 Air For Soprano
27. Messiah: No. 53 Chorus
28. Messiah: Amen

Customer Reviews:

Finally a Messiah with fervor!.......2005-10-20

I've hunted a thrilling performance of The Messiah through 240 versions so far. This is the best I've found. Some are self-conscious, dutifully singing as instructed. Some are almost childish in their lilt. Some are overblown with so much bombast that you can barely hear the heart of the music. Some are concentrated on faithfulness to the original instruments. If you want a performance that will make you shiver with the power and joy of the music, this is the one. The singers are singing about GLORY. They sound as if they are ecstatic. The musicians are at one with the music and they create a virtual cathedral wherever this CD is played, just close your eyes. Or, let your own imagery, be it celestial, or of great oceans...carry you away.

Great recording!.......2003-09-22

There are so many performances of the Messiah out there that it is very difficult to point to a difinative one, but I'd put this in the catagory of the "very good" ones. As other reviewers have said, every performance is different and has its own character. Each has stronger and weaker points. Here the conductor and musicians have made good, solid musical choices. There is an amazing attention to detail which is not so obvious the first listen through but which makes the piece shine. The tempos seem to be right on, and there is no frivolous over-embellishment by the soloists. There is no attempt to be showey. The dramatic dynamics in the first section of the overture are interesting, but seem to work after you hear it a few times. This performance also includes sections which are often omitted (Second half of "He shall feed his flock," "Thou art gone up on high," "Great was the company of the preachers," and "Death where is thy sting"). I prefer the more intimate quality of a small ensemble of musicians to the mega-performances by the London Philharmonic, Vienna State Opera Orchestra, etc.. As with this performance, the smaller group lends a clarity to the music, where the larger ensembles can get a little "muddy" at times. Just my personal preference. Overall, this is a very good performance, and certainly the low price (being on the Naxos lable) makes this a clear choice.

Good and Bad.......2000-04-09

I was more interested in "The Messiah" for the religious content than as a music critic, but this was too much. The strings are tinny. The orchestra is plodding. The soloists and choir are thankfully very good and seem to understand the meaning of the words. It is a shame the sound mix is uneven. The male parts come across loud and clear, but the poor women. For instance, No. 9 Oh thou that tellest..., the soloist sounded like she was singing in an echo chamber far from the mike. This is one of the most disappointing versions of "The Messiah" I have heard in a long time.

This is a great recording!.......2000-02-11

I was really surprised with the new that the Messiah's New World premiere was held at Trinity Church in October 1770, twenty-eight years after it was written. This fact only will make one proud in having this CD among his collection.

Anyhow, this is nothing more than a historic detail and would not count if this recording had not an outstanding first-rate ensemble of singers. Without doubt there is no definitive version of Messiah. Each one has its own distinctive touch and feeling and exploring it is always a pleasant journey through imagination.

As stated by the conductor: "we must concede that performing Messiah with twenty singers and an appropriately balanced instrumental ensemble represents, at best, an imperfect comprimise", it will be easy to understand that this recording does not stand among the greatest and will probably carry some imperfections. I will mention two that kind of disppointed me a little bit. The Overture and the Chorus Worthy is the Lamb, for some reason misses the habitual vigor and strenght. Everything else is great and this is definitely a worth buying.

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