G. F. HANDEL

The Messiah (Dublin version, 1742)

 

1 Sinfonia

2 Recit: Comfort ye

3 Air: Every valley shall be exalted 

4 Chorus: And the Glory of the Lord 

5 Recit: Thus saith the Lord 

6 Air: But who may abide 

7 Chorus: And he shall purify 

8 Recit: Behold a virgin shall conceive 

9 Air: O thou that tellest good tidings 

10 Chorus: O thou that tellest good tidings 

11 Recit: For behold! 

12 Air: The people that walked in darkness 

13 Chorus: For unto us a child is born 

14 Pifa (Pastoral Symphony) 

15 Recit: There were shepherds 

16 Recit: And lo! 

17 Recit: And the angel said unto them 

18 Recit: And suddenly 

19 Chorus: Glory to God 

20 Air: Rejoice greatly 

21 Recit: Then shall the eyes of the blind 

22 Air: He shall feed his flock

23 Chorus: His yoke is easy 

24 Chorus: Behold the lamb of God 

25 Air: He was despised 

26 Chorus: Surely 

27 (and with his stripes) 

28 Chorus: All we like sheep 

29 Recit: But Who may abide 

30 Recit accomp: All they that see him 

31 Chorus: He trusted in God 

32 Recit accomp: Thy rebuke 

33 Air: Behold and see 

34 Recit accomp: He was cut off 

35 Air: But thou didst not leave 

36 Chorus: Lift up your heads 

37 Recit: Unto which of the angels 

38 Chorus: Let all the angels 

39 Air: Thou art gone up 

40 Chorus: The Lord gave the word 

41 Soli & Chorus: How beautiful are the feet 

42 Air: Why do the nations 

43 Chorus: Let us break 

44 Recit: He that dwelleth 

45 Chorus: Hallelujah 

46 Air: I know that my redeemer liveth 

47 Soli & Chorus: Since by man 

48 Recit. Accomp: Behold I tell you a mystery 

49 Air: The trumpet shall sound 

50 Recit: Then shall be brought 

51 Duet: O death where is thy sting 

52 Chorus: But thanks 

53 Air: If God be for us 

54 Chorus: Worthy is the lamb 

55 Chorus: Amen 

56 Recit: He that dwelleth in Heaven shall laugh them to scorn 

57 Air: Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron 

 

Susan Hamilton (soprano); Annie Gill (mezzo); Clare Wilkinson (alto); Nicholas Mulroy (tenor); Matthew Brook (bass); Edward Caswell (bass);

Dunedin Consort / John Butt

 

Linn Records is delighted to present The Messiah, Handel's most famous oratorio. This is the first recording to seriously explore the version and performing forces that Handel used for his legendary Dublin première. The research was carried out by director and lecturer John Butt and the performance recreated by the acclaimed Scottish choral group the Dunedin Consort, with soloists taken from within the choir.

 

The Dublin version of The Messiah is unique in several important ways and the resultant Linn recording signifies an exciting and historically considered representation as enjoyed by the Dublin audience of 1742. The challenge in this recording was to try and recapture something of the freshness of the first public performances, imagining what it was like to hear the work for the very first time, when many moments must have been quite unexpected.

 

The 'Nativity' section of this work, which includes the well-known chorus 'For Unto Us', makes this a timely release; the Consort's Christmas-time performances of The Messiah have become a highly anticipated fixture of the Scottish musical calendar.

 

2006 marks the 10th anniversary of Dunedin Consort, an ensemble that "has done so much to transform the vocal life of Scotland" (The Herald). The dynamic ensemble has rapidly established its presence in the artistic life of its home country, captivating audiences in venues throughout Scotland, from remote Highland churches to major concert halls.

 

Linn 2SACDs CKD285