Colin Davis recorded Handel’s ‘Messiah’ twice for Philips – in the 1960s with an English cast and then in the 1980s with British soprano and tenor soloists, a German alto and an American bass, not to mention a German orchestra and chorus. It’s a warm and voluble reading and was for a short while available on 3CDs at full price. It is now restored to the catalogue at budget price on 2CDs, not a moment too soon and is bound to join the pantheon of great ‘Messiahs’ currently available on CD.
‘this is a beautiful performance, very well recorded.’ Gramophone
GEORGE FRIDERIC HANDEL
Messiah
Margaret Price, soprano
Hanna Schwarz, alto
Stuart Burrows, tenor
Simon Estes, bass
Chor des Bayerischen Rundfunks
Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks
Colin Davis