Release Date:August 13, 2002 Availability:Usually ships in 1-2 business days Shipping:Expedited shipping available Condition:From a personal collection, CD plays very well, case looks like new, ships very fast
Amazingly beautifulDecember 27, 2005 Heidi A. Plunkett(Marietta, GA) 2 out of 2 found this review helpful
This version has the highlights of The Messiah. All the ones you know. Enough that you will have the whole gospel story presented. In beautiful baroque style with artfully added embellishments but defintly not overdone. The soloist all pour every ounce of musical perfection to this recording.
I second what the previous reviewer said. Ms Battle brings heart and beauty as I have never heard to "I Know That my Redeemer liveth"
My onlynegative would be that the trumpets are sometimes too brilliant. But for heavens sake they are shouting the Glory of God can't really complain about that.
ENJOY
Excellent singing at a bargain price!April 18, 2005 mbmbuff(Walnut, CA United States) 1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I was very pleased with the quality of the singing in this Messiah highlights. All the soloists are excellent, especially Kathleen Battle, in the arias "Rejoice Greatly" and "I Know My Redeemer Lives." Her singing alone is worth the price of this CD! The soloists frequently embellish on the notes in their singing, so if you like that, you'll love their re-endition. If you like it just plain and straight, you may not be used to that.
Both the Toronto Mendelssohn choir and the Toronto Symphony orchestra make for a full-bodied, majestic sound. Andrew Davis does a great job of conducting.
The selections are fairly generous (18 tracks); I wished they would have included the bass aria "Behold I Tell You a Mystery".
I have many versions of Handel's Messiah and I really enjoy this one, especially due to the high quality of musicianship and singing at such a bargain price. The complete version of this Messiah CD will cost you over $30. These highlights are just right. I've bought copies of this CD to friends and they all loved it. Highly recommended!