Handel: Messiah
Product Details
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
This performance is demented. Leonard Bernstein cuts a bunch of numbers, and divides the piece into two parts instead of the usual three. He does use a countertenor (the strange-sounding Russell Oberlin), which was unusual in the late '50s when this was recorded, but his interpretation isn't just un-Baroque, it's also unlike anything else you could possibly imagine. Slow, heavy, and totally unidiomatic, this recording is valuable only to Bernstein fanatics. --David Hurwitz
Customer Reviews
Hacking at Handel
If you are a Baroque purist, you will probably gag, but this edition of Handel's most famous work points out the strengths and weaknesses of Bernstein the arranger.
Bernstein butchered Handel, rearranging vocal parts and transposing with abandon. He uses the traditional voice types, including a countertenor, but nobody is singing the music Handel intended for that voice type. It can be jarring.
On the plus side, the voices are gorgeous and Bernstein has infused the work with an energy that Handel himself would likely approve. If you know nothing about what the Messiah is supposed to sound like you will find beauty in this rendition. I think it is worthy to be in a classical collection but it should not be the only edition of Messiah one has. As an example of vocal excellence, it can be noted. Buy it if you admire one of these soloists. You will not have wasted your money.
Great singers acting together
The Bernstein performance of Messiah is a bit strange, as compared with our present experience in baroque music. The orchestra sounds sometimes very extraordinary, but you can listen to it without disgust (except the Overture, which is much too slow). The choir for me is too big and sounds horrible (well, I sing in a choir, so my requirements are high). BUT... the recording is worth buying because of magnificent singers. All are tremendous: powerful voice and laser clarity of pitch in soprano; elegant tenor; emotional and very humane singing of bass; and the best of the best at the end: Russell Oberlin in alto part. For me, he alone is a quite sufficient excuse to buy the album. Oberlin sings here with the highest mastery you can except from the singer: his voice is quite unusual and we did not meet such alto vibration after him (obviously there were many before, in Handel times). His performance of "He Was Despised" air is the greatest I've ever heard (and Russell sings two more arias here!). Really, this album is a must for all lovers of great singing.
Slow and Heavy
I want to say that I am a HUGE fan of Lenny B. I have collections of his mahler and beethoven recordings, autobiographies...all the good stuff. I am very sorry to say that this is the only recording of his that I really don't like. It is very heavy and slow.
I personally like very clean, more baroque style recordings of the Messiah, which is one of my favorite works. I have performed it multiple times, and at various tempos and styles.
I wouldnt recomend this recording, even though Lenny is amazing.
Related Links : Product by Amazon or shopping-lifestyle-20 Store
ไม่มีความคิดเห็น:
แสดงความคิดเห็น