Post by Graham on Dec 16, 2018 21:37:16 GMT 12
Just come home from the 100th performance of Handels Mesiah in the Auckland town hall. Great soloists, NZ Symphony Orchestra, 250 - 300 strong choir, and magnificent organ. No matter how we try, no digital or analogue reproduction can match a live performance.
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Post by Owen Y on Dec 17, 2018 8:13:29 GMT 12
Still, live performance is always a good reminder of what we can aspire for some semblance of, at home - esp when we have good halls like Ak Town Hall. Not to mention an organ refurbished at significant cost. St Saens' Organ Symph would be nice to hear in Akld one day.
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Pundit
Post by papahemi on Dec 17, 2018 16:11:07 GMT 12
Best Pipe Organ in the country?
We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be.
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Post by michaelw on Dec 17, 2018 17:21:32 GMT 12
not heard the complete messiah live. found this rather nice box set in a garage sale many years ago, 1993 !
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Post by Owen Y on Dec 18, 2018 8:59:01 GMT 12
For those who might find the complete performance a bit long, you can always go for a Highlights version. Interestingly, they say that, when Handel composed it, it was performed by a fairly small ensemble. It's grown into larger & larger versions over the years!
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Post by michaelw on Dec 18, 2018 9:21:19 GMT 12
ditto. the above box is a 3-disc set. only listened to it all the way through once or twice in 25 years !
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Post by Citroen on Dec 18, 2018 9:33:17 GMT 12
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Post by Owen Y on Dec 18, 2018 10:40:23 GMT 12
I was not really a religious music person myself, but Dave Whittaker was, & he turned me onto this genre a bit. I remember being impressed with Monteverdi Vespers playing in Dave's big tall room in Albany.
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Post by Graham on Dec 18, 2018 12:00:08 GMT 12
Like Owen I'm not really into religious music, but this live performance was something special. When the huge choir, full orchestra, and magnificent organ combined the power was awe inspiring. Talk about a 'wall of sound'.
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Post by Citroen on Dec 18, 2018 17:35:50 GMT 12
You'd probably not appreciate the Hogwood then!
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Post by Owen Y on Dec 18, 2018 19:05:38 GMT 12
The O-L Hogwood I believe is an 'authentic', period-correct rendition & v good all round they say.
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Post by michaelw on Dec 19, 2018 13:11:35 GMT 12
more messiah from copper magazine #74 2018
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Post by Owen Y on Dec 19, 2018 13:45:13 GMT 12
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Post by michaelw on Dec 19, 2018 17:01:12 GMT 12
i have all three
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Post by Citroen on Dec 19, 2018 17:50:38 GMT 12
i have all three Essential Handel.
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Post by Owen Y on Dec 20, 2018 9:04:02 GMT 12
Looks like we got ourselves a Baroque Club happening here
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Post by Citroen on Dec 20, 2018 9:52:03 GMT 12
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Pundit
Post by neilsan on Dec 20, 2018 17:59:10 GMT 12
Just counted my box sets...17. And quite a few downloaded! Having sung in it it's one of my favourite Handel pieces. Must sort out one day which version I prefer. In the meantime.......
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Post by Citroen on Dec 20, 2018 18:26:47 GMT 12
Pinnock seems highly recommended. Your thoughts neilsan?
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Pundit
Post by neilsan on Dec 21, 2018 8:24:31 GMT 12
Hi Citroen. I'm not really worried about the conductor as such.Probably the first set I got was this one.
G.F. Handel - Messiah (Foundling Hospital version 1754) Judith Nelson, soprano I Emma Kirkby, soprano II Carolyn Watkinson, contralto Paul Elliott, tenor David Thomas, bass Choir of Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford The Academy of Ancient Music (on period instruments) Christopher Hogwood, dir. Recording: St. Jude-on-the-Hill, London, 1980
Always been partial to The Academy's offerings! But there are heaps of albums out there.I see I have a download of Pinnock's version so must burn it and have a listen ( not literally!) I find I don't fuss much on who did what,the main thing is the music with me. But saying that, the Readers Digest one I have has one very dull sounding side on 1 LP,and that's on more than 1 set I tried!So that's a pain,as the rest of the album is great.
If you want something a bit more jazzed up,another favourite is a cd that was released by Word from Proper Production in 1990.Called Handel's Young Messiah it's a excerpt of tracks by various Christian artists and basically sticks to the main format but with drums etc thrown in.Conducted by Larry White. There's another jazzed up version out there but it wanders too far from the norm for me. I prefer jazz with a tune I can follow!Hope this didn't bore you!Neil.
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Post by Citroen on Dec 21, 2018 16:52:46 GMT 12
Thanks neilsan, That's the same one (see posts above) that I grew up with I only use the conductor to identify the version, as I'm useless with remembering singers names. I see there's a 1972 Cannonball Adderley version. Personally, I prefer my jazz without a tune, as free jazz is my new favorite genre!
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