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Handel: Messiah, HWV 56 by Otto Klemperer (2024 Remastered, London 1964)

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Handel: Messiah, HWV 56

Otto Klemperer (2024 Remastered, London 1964)

3 disc(s) - 46 track(s)
Total length: 02:21:33

 

Handel's Messiah by Otto Klemperer is among the recordings that anyone looking to build a high-quality music library should possess. Klemperer uses the original instrumentation (with a larger number of strings) and a harpsichord for basso continuo.

What immediately strikes is the apparent slowness of the performance compared to so-called "baroque" versions. But the point should rather be the following: It is not possible to conduct this score with a purely aesthetic goal without considering the sacred text from which this masterpiece draws its inspiration. Many so-called "baroque" versions, in this sense, are unbearable from our point of view because they do not seem imbued with the necessary religious fervor to bring this text to life with its transcendent significance.

Otto Klemperer, meanwhile, constructs a temple with imposing, grandiose architecture. From the outset, we feel as though we are entering a place where, like Moses, one must remove their sandals because the ground is sacred. 

Wilhelm Pitz's choirs are exceptional and contribute to the immense success of the endeavor. The expressive power is pushed here to its maximum, and passages like the famous "Hallelujah" become a true praise to the God of the Bible. "Hallelujah," as explained in a biblical dictionary, is a word used by the authors of various psalms to invite everyone to join them in praising Jehovah, and the choirs in this version are in total accordance with this definition.

The vocal quartet must also be commended, sublime despite the absence of trills, appoggiaturas, and ornaments that Handel's singers would instinctively add.

This remastering literally brings back to life an interpretation that was once rightfully hailed as one of the important recordings dedicated to the work, but for the reasons mentioned above, we consider it the most important recording.

Enjoy your listening

Track listing

CD 1
1. Messiah, HWV 56, Part I: Sinfonia. Grave, Allegro moderato (Orchestra)_2024 Remastered, London 1964
2. Messiah, HWV 56, Part I: Accompagnato. Comfort Ye my People (Tenor)_2024 Remastered, London 1964
3. Messiah, HWV 56, Part I: Aria. Ev'ry Valley shall be Exalted (Tenor)_2024 Remastered, London 1964
4. Messiah, HWV 56, Part I: Chorus. And the Glory, the Glory of the Lord_2024 Remastered, London 1964
5. Messiah, HWV 56, Part I: Accompagnato. Thus Saith the Lord of Hosts (Bass)_2024 Remastered, London 1964
6. Messiah, HWV 56, Part I: Aria. But who may Abide the Day of his Coming (Bass)_2024 Remastered, London 1964
7. Messiah, HWV 56, Part I: Chorus. And he shall Purify_2024 Remastered, London 1964
8. Messiah, HWV 56, Part I: Recitative. Behold! A Virgin shall Conceive (Alto)_2024 Remastered, London 1964
9. Messiah, HWV 56, Part I: Aria. O Thou that Tellest good tidings to Zion (Alto)_2024 Remastered, London 1964
10. Messiah, HWV 56, Part I: Chorus. O Thou That Tellest_2024 Remastered, London 1964
11. Messiah, HWV 56, Part I: Accompagnato. For Behold, Darkness shall Cover the Earth (Bass)_2024 Remastered, London 1964
12. Messiah, HWV 56, Part I: Aria. The People that Walked in Darkness (Bass)_2024 Remastered, London 1964
13. Messiah, HWV 56, Part I: Chorus. For Unto us a Child is Born_2024 Remastered, London 1964

CD 2
1. Messiah, HWV 56, Part I: Pifa. Larghetto e mezzo piano (Orchestra)_2024 Remastered, London 1964
2. Messiah, HWV 56, Part I: Recitative. There were Shepherds Abiding in the Fields (Soprano)
3. Messiah, HWV 56, Part I: Chorus. Glory to God in the Highest_2024 Remastered, London 1964
4. Messiah, HWV 56, Part I: Aria. Rejoice Greatly, O Daughter of Zion (Soprano)_2024 Remastered, London 1964
5. Messiah, HWV 56, Part I: Recitative. Then Shall the Eyes of the Blind be Opened (Soprano)
6. Messiah, HWV 56, Part I: Aria. He Shall Feed his Flock like a Shepherd (Soprano)_2024 Remastered, London 1964
7. Messiah, HWV 56, Part I: Chorus. His Yoke is Easy, His Burthen is Light_2024 Remastered, London 1964
8. Messiah, HWV 56, Part II: Chorus. Behold, the Lamb of God_2024 Remastered, London 1964
9. Messiah, HWV 56, Part II: Aria. He was Despised and Rejected of Men (Alto)_2024 Remastered, London 1964
10. Messiah, HWV 56, Part II: Chorus. Surely he Hath Borne our Griefs_2024 Remastered, London 1964
11. Messiah, HWV 56, Part II: Chorus. And with his Stripes, We are Healed_2024 Remastered, London 1964
12. Messiah, HWV 56, Part II: Chorus. All we like Sheep have gone Astray_2024 Remastered, London 1964

CD 3
1. Messiah, HWV 56, Part II: Accompagnato. All They that See him, Laugh him to Scorn (Tenor)_2024 Remastered, London 1964
2. Messiah, HWV 56, Part II: Chorus. He Trusted in God_2024 Remastered, London 1964
3. Messiah, HWV 56, Part III: Accompagnato. Thy Rebuke Hath Broken His Heart (Tenor)_2024 Remastered, London 1964
4. Messiah, HWV 56, Part II: Arioso. Behold, and See if there be any Sorrow (Tenor)_2024 Remastered, London 1964
5. Messiah, HWV 56, Part II: Accompagnato. He was Cut off the Land of the Living (Tenor)_2024 Remastered, London 1964
6. Messiah, HWV 56, Part II: Aria. But thou did’st not Leave his Soul in Hell (Tenor)_2024 Remastered, London 1964
7. Messiah, HWV 56, Part II: Chorus. Lift up your Heads, O ye Gates_2024 Remastered, London 1964
8. Messiah, HWV 56, Part II: Chorus. The Lord gave the Word_2024 Remastered, London 1964
9. Messiah, HWV 56, Part II: Aria. How Beautiful are the Feet (Soprano)_2024 Remastered, London 1964
10. Messiah, HWV 56, Part II: Chorus. Their Sound is Gone out into all Lands_2024 Remastered, London 1964
11. Messiah, HWV 56, Part II: Aria. Why do the Nations so Furiously Rage Together (Bass)_2024 Remastered, London 1964
12. Messiah, HWV 56, Part II: Chorus. Let us Break their Bonds Asunder_2024 Remastered, London 1964
13. Messiah, HWV 56, Part II: Recitative. He that Dwelleth in Heaven (Tenor)_2024 Remastered, London 1964
14. Messiah, HWV 56, Part II: Aria. Thou Shalt Break them with a Rod of Iron (Tenor)_2024 Remastered, London 1964
15. Messiah, HWV 56, Part II: Chorus. Hallelujah_2024 Remastered, London 1964
16. Messiah, HWV 56, Part III: Aria. I Know that my Redeemer Liveth (Soprano)_2024 Remastered, London 1964
17. Messiah, HWV 56, Part III: Chorus. Since by Man Came Death_2024 Remastered, London 1964
18. Messiah, HWV 56, Part III: Accompagnato. Behold, I Tell you a Mystery (Bass)_2024 Remastered, London 1964
19. Messiah, HWV 56, Part III: Aria. The Trumpet shall Sound (Bass)_2024 Remastered, London 1964
20. Messiah, HWV 56, Part III: Chorus. Worthy is the Lamb_2024 Remastered, London 1964
21. Messiah, HWV 56, Part III: Chorus. Amen_2024 Remastered, London 1964

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