Favorite Messiah recording

March 3, 2008 3:05 PM

One of my favorite pieces of Music is Handel's Messiah. I have tried a number of versions and so far my favorite is the Sir Colin Davis recording with the Bavarian Symphony Orchestra. What other similar recordings would you recommend?

I like the balance, clarity, drama and the even but unselfconscious interpretation of this version, but the soloists are perhaps not quite as top notch as they could be. Any ideas about another Messiah with a similar style but higher quality?

posted by blue shadows to media & arts (6 comments total)

Chicago Symphony Orchestra, without question.
posted by _Mona_ at 5:13 PM on March 3, 2008

I like this one quite a bit.

Lorna Anderson gives top notch performances in it. The weak spot is Paul Esswood, the counter tenor. But overall, it's damned good.
posted by SlyBevel at 5:24 PM on March 3, 2008

Be a patriot: Ormandy/Philly, a true classic. Be a snob and get it on vinyl.

If you want to sample the "historically informed performances", there are many Harnoncourt bootlegs out there, the one with Christine Schäfer & Gerald Finley has at least good singers.
posted by Opera Chic at 7:27 PM on March 3, 2008

(And remember, Davis also recorded the Messiah with a different orchestra and with Kathleen Battle singing, worth a try)
posted by Opera Chic at 7:29 PM on March 3, 2008

Seconding Opera Chic's recommendation! I believe this is the recording. I grew up this one and it's the only recording that sounds 'right' anymore.
posted by datacenter refugee at 8:38 PM on March 3, 2008

I've settled on the version with Neville Mariner conducting the Orchestra of St-Martin-In-The-Fields. The tempi he took were delightfully surprising, and ultimately made perfect sense, natural and vibrant.
posted by DandyRandy at 8:35 AM on March 4, 2008