CD-Charts Position 1

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Handel - Alcina

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by: George Frideric Handel

Release Date December 28, 2005

CD-Charts Position 2
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Händel: Alcina

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from: Bella Voce

Release Date August 05, 2000
The magic of Sutherland remains despite a truly awful recording which has been poorly mastered. The strings are thin and coughing from the audience detracts from what was a wonderful performance by artiste & ensemble. One may even detect the scene shifters at their work. The pity is that, with modern technology, this piece could be reworked into the masterpiece which it rightfully should be. Dave Upton

CD-Charts Position 3
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Handel - Saul

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by: Rosemary Joshua, Rene Jacobs, Concerto Köln, RIAS Kammerchor

Release Date September 05, 2005
The magic of Sutherland remains despite a truly awful recording which has been poorly mastered. The strings are thin and coughing from the audience detracts from what was a wonderful performance by artiste & ensemble. One may even detect the scene shifters at their work. The pity is that, with modern technology, this piece could be reworked into the masterpiece which it rightfully should be. Dave Upton

CD-Charts Position 4
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Hand - Saul

Search: Scorn
by: Concerto Koln, Rene Jacobs

Release Date September 05, 2005
I'm not really a huge Jacobs fan, really disliking his Mozart, but this is a really pleasant surprise.

Its one of the best sung Saul's I've heard, with good, clear diction and a sense of drama from all participants. You expect the male protagonists to be good, but special mention must be made of soprano Emma Bell, who is ravishing.

Jacobs doesnt strive for effect as he has done elsewhere, and that is to the advantage of the performance.

Sound is fine, - not DSD fine and not exceptional but certainly very clean and open with a good sense of space.

recommended.
The sound

CD-Charts Position 5
Average Rating:

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Handel: Messiah

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from: Clarion

Release Date October 17, 2006
I'm not really a huge Jacobs fan, really disliking his Mozart, but this is a really pleasant surprise.

Its one of the best sung Saul's I've heard, with good, clear diction and a sense of drama from all participants. You expect the male protagonists to be good, but special mention must be made of soprano Emma Bell, who is ravishing.

Jacobs doesnt strive for effect as he has done elsewhere, and that is to the advantage of the performance.

Sound is fine, - not DSD fine and not exceptional but certainly very clean and open with a good sense of space.

recommended.
The sound

CD-Charts Position 6
Average Rating:

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Handel - Messiah

Search: Scorn
by: Kerstin Avemo (performer)

Release Date November 06, 2006
This Messiah is such a breath of fresh air. I first came across Rene Jacobs with his recordings of Mozart's Figaro and Cosi, and was so impressed that I had to have this Messiah. I am now thinking what to get next.

The orchestra is fab, there are some lovely touches and additions to the score, and the singing is mostly very exciting. There are some lovely fast tempos and some very slow ones where appropriate.

I didn't realse I liked the Messiah so much. I have listened to this recording five times in the week I have had it.

Five stars is not enough!

Recommended!

CD-Charts Position 7
Average Rating:

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XXfirst Century Messiah

Search: Scorn
from: Well-Tempered Product

Release Date June 20, 1996
This Messiah is such a breath of fresh air. I first came across Rene Jacobs with his recordings of Mozart's Figaro and Cosi, and was so impressed that I had to have this Messiah. I am now thinking what to get next.

The orchestra is fab, there are some lovely touches and additions to the score, and the singing is mostly very exciting. There are some lovely fast tempos and some very slow ones where appropriate.

I didn't realse I liked the Messiah so much. I have listened to this recording five times in the week I have had it.

Five stars is not enough!

Recommended!

CD-Charts Position 8
Average Rating:

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Messiah, Israel in Egypt (Parrott)

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by: George Frideric Handel

Release Date October 25, 2004
This Messiah is such a breath of fresh air. I first came across Rene Jacobs with his recordings of Mozart's Figaro and Cosi, and was so impressed that I had to have this Messiah. I am now thinking what to get next.

The orchestra is fab, there are some lovely touches and additions to the score, and the singing is mostly very exciting. There are some lovely fast tempos and some very slow ones where appropriate.

I didn't realse I liked the Messiah so much. I have listened to this recording five times in the week I have had it.

Five stars is not enough!

Recommended!

CD-Charts Position 9
Average Rating:

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Handel: Messiah

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from: Virgin Veritas

Release Date February 04, 2002
This version can be summed up as very refined, elegant and intellectually profound, as well as being historically correct without posturing. There is hardly a flaw to be found anywhere. There are no brilliant fireworks in the soloists interpretations yet as a composite whole, it is a very fine and very deeply moving and beautifully harmonious whole. It should be one of the versions of Messiah everyone should have. It ranks as one of the best, if not THE BEST in the top three authentic instrument versions of note: Christie on Harmonia Mundi, Hogwood on l'Oiseau Lyre, and this version. It is very important as a very finely executed and minutely detailed performance, which probably most accurately reflects the way it was performed in Handel's ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 10
Average Rating:

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Handel - Messiah (1751 version)

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by: Henry Jenkinson, Otta Jones, Robert Brooks, Eamonn Dougan

Release Date November 06, 2006
This recording is consistently fresh, not a moment sounds stale or anything other than a shining example of sound musicianship. All of the vocalists are on top form and the orchestra accompanies beautifully without exception. I really can't think of anything wrong with it.
This CD was given to me as a gift, a 'little piece of Oxford.' I would never have bought it myself because I enjoy the sound of women singing the soprano parts. I have been forced to re-evaluate... Listen to 'His Yoke is Easy' and then try arguing that boy sopranos don't sound even better than female sopranos in this piece!! The small choir and orchestra is perfect, it really brings out the Baroque nature of the piece, but somehow manages to reach and touch me in a very modern ... Read More: