The Best "Messiah"? (CLASSICAL CHRISTMAS MUSIC #1)

'Tis the season for traditional classical Christmas music........
I talk about my favorite recording of Handel's "Messiah", by Christopher Hogwood, the Choir of Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford, and the Academy of Ancient Music - which also happens to be the benchmark recording for many. I discuss the sound quality on different vinyl and CD masterings of this groundbreaking, classic recording.
You can read my more detailed article on Hogwood's recording here: trackingangle....
Like many musicians growing up in England, I have a long personal history with Handel's masterpiece. I discuss this in relation to its recorded history as we moved into the so-called "authentic", period instrument era in the 1970s and 1980s, when musicians were increasingly trying to recreate the original style of performance during the Baroque era.
I also discuss why "Messiah" is such a perennial favorite, and offer up a few alternative recommended recordings if you want to explore further.
You can watch my companion video on traditional Christmas carols and classical music here:
• CAROLS for CHRISTMAS -...
Another excellent resource for new classical recordings is BBC Radio 3's long-standing weekly broadcast "Record Review". Shows remain available to listen to for 30 days after first broadcast:
www.bbc.co.uk/...

[@musiconrecord6724]

I have written a more extensive article about Hogwood's recording for The Tracking Angle here: trackingangle.com/features/handel-s-messiah-and-the-recording-that-changed-the-classical-record-industry

[@anthonyangelapfeiffer4400]

I bought this version around 1990, and knew I had struck gold! So uniquely perfect! So happy to hear you discussing this version of the Messiah today!! Merry Christmas!! 🎄

[@mancal5829]

Your glowing review of Hogwood's version, which I have not ever been exposed to, made me decide to get the recent complete Preston records on Decca. I am yet to receive it, but am quite excited.

[@musiconrecord6724]

Oh I think you will be thrilled. This is a catalogue full of gems from what was the best chapel choir of the time. Be sure to listen to their Stravinsky and Walton discs. Enjoy!

[@LyleFrancisDelp]

I am of the firm belief that Sir Charles Mackerras never made a bad recording.

[@musiconrecord6724]

One of the undisputed greats!

[@henryoliver2833]

I'm loving these videos - please keep making them. Things I'd love to see if you're looking for suggestions: solo piano music or (related) where to go after Satie (he seems to be a gateway for a lot of people, via Aphex Twin, etc.). Take it or leave it! Thanks again!

[@musiconrecord6724]

Always happy to get suggestions - a very interesting one, this. I will add it to the (long) list of possible future videos.

[@LyleFrancisDelp]

I must admit that I’d not given this work much attention until my college days, when I picked this very Hogwood recording on cassette in a cutout bin….and I was totally mesmerized. I was hooked. Call it imprinting if you like, but I measure all other Messiah recordings against Hogwood. The acoustics, sound of the chorus and orchestra are just magical.

[@musiconrecord6724]

Couldn't agree more.

[@LyleFrancisDelp]

Marriner’s recording is also quite rich and musical…and I believe Hogwood was his continuo player.

[@canman5060]

The two are working very closely together in the production.

[@denbigh51]

Love the Hogwood - heard these performers do Messiah at the Proms in 1979 just prior to setting down this great recording. However we also have John Eliot Gardiner’s which is sometimes more theatrical and idiosyncratic eg the Hallelujah chorus which begins almost like Gilbert and Sullivan! I would like to hear the Mozart arrangement one day - I love his realisation of Acis and Galatea of which Hogwood made a superb recording.

[@musiconrecord6724]

Oh wow! That must have been a great concert! I've been meaning to go back and resisted to the Gardiner recording. Not familiar with Hogwood's Acis - must check that out. (Played the solo recorder parts at school - always been a favorite work of mine).

[@denbigh51]

@@musiconrecord6724 The Acis is with the Handel & Haydn Soc. It’s one of those few pieces where every number is a hit!

[@musiconrecord6724]

@@denbigh51 Yes indeed. I worked extensively with Hogwood, 1987-1992, recording all his H & H concerts and producing them for broadcast on NPR. Lovely guy, and I always looked forward to when he came in for interviews - he could talk about anything off-the-cuff in disarming detail. The H&H recordings he did of the Handel concerti grossi are wonderful.

[@ManueldelRio]

Thank you very much again for this wonderful lesson on my favorite recording of Händel's Messiah. My other reference perfomance is Masaaki Suzuki (BIS).

[@musiconrecord6724]

I've never really sat down and listened to that one - you have inspired me now to do so!

[@ManueldelRio]

@@musiconrecord6724 Masaaki Suzuki's recording obviously "imitate" Hogwood's perfomance to some extent. Even the bass is the same, David Thomas. Yoshikazu Mera (countertenor) and John Elwes (tenor) are superb. The skilfully of the orchestral grouping is truly astonishing. I like the Christie, Gardiner or Pinnock perfomances, but this one from Bach Collegium Japan sits on a high altar in my heart.

[@canman5060]

This is the outcome of months of in depth research of the work by Sir Christopher Hogwood.

[@sirsamfay99]

Although I own around 8 versions ,in my opinion the 3 essential recordings to own are : Sir Malcolm Sargent 1946 Liverpool Philharmonic ,Sir Charles Mackerras RPO arr (Mozart) ,Sir Christopher Hogwood AAM. Although you stated your dislike the Sargent recording ,the singing is superlative and thus deserves it's importance. Interestingly you own the earlier red labels of the Hogwood version which are fairly rare now instead of the later purple.

[@musiconrecord6724]

How interesting re. the label. I bought this the moment it came out!

[@slmanbadr6832]

the christ church choir under simon preston was the best male choir in england the piorety of the voices is angalic

[@musiconrecord6724]

I was so lucky. I used to go and hear them singing Evensong regularly during my university days. At that time (late 70s/early 80s) they were absolutely the best College/Chapel/Cathedral Choir I heard.

[@slmanbadr6832]

@@musiconrecord6724 lucky you! do pay my regards to MR. Peston if you meet him.the late Mr hogwood is gone a way too soon

[@LyleFrancisDelp]

I couldn’t agree more! The use of adult male altos, rather than boys, gives us four distinct colors from the sections, which clearly highlights Handel’s contrapuntal choral writing all the more.

[@muzluv33]

I know I am among the naysayers here, but I think the Hogwood recording has lost much of its luster as least to me. While historically commendable in its recreation of the Foundling Hospital performance it is too reserved and "churchy" - in any recording of Messiah I look for a more dramatic, even operatic reading ; after all Handel was an opera composer. Hogwood's soloists are to me a somewhat mixed bag - Emma Kirkby is too boy treble like to be truly dramatic and Paul Elliott sounds too much like a countertenor to my ears. Nelson, Watkinson and Thomas however are absolutely superb. Since the Hogwood many other HIP recordings have come out which personally please me more, some of which are discussed in the video. In no particular order: Pinnock - almost romantic sounding at times but interpretively riveting with the magnificent English Concert Choir and of course the orchestra. Three of the four soloists are arguably unmatched - Arleen Auger, Anne Sofie von Otter (her He Was Despised will give you goosebumps),Michael Chance and Howard Crook. However bass John Tomlinson sounds too big and unwieldy for his numbers, esp. those with coloratura. Gardiner - one of my sentimental favorites - my second HIP purchase after the Hogwood. The Monteverdi Choir and English Baroque Soloists are superb and so are the soloists. This account is dramatic in the extreme - the fast tempi though not as breakneck as McCreesh or Minkowski may not be to everyone's taste and the concluding Amen is very slow and stately. Jacobs - Rene Jacobs account of Messiah is arguably the most operatic of all. Fast tempi but also slow movements when they need to be, much use of dynamics and sharp articulation. A superb team of soloists along with the Freiburg Baroque Orchestra and the Clare College Choir (John Rutter's first choir) do amazing work. This is worth a listen if not a purchase as a great alternative version. Butt - I agree with the video here. Great recording. Likewise, the Layton - This was a surprise for me - my first Polyphony recording and now my favorite by this group. Again, video is spot on in the review. Christophers - Same recording as the video - love this one - more than just middle of the road. Higginbottom - Choir of New college Oxford and Academy of Ancient Music. Another superb account with fine balance of dramatic and lyrical.

[@damianlanigan]

I'm really enjoying this channel, MOR - would be great to know your name!

[@1968KWT]

RIP Christopher Hogwood (died #otd in 2014) 🌺🌺🌺

[@musiconrecord6724]

He died way too young. I worked with him extensively in Boston, producing the NPR broadcasts of his concerts with the Handel and Haydn Society. A lovely man and a treat to interview. Always made the work and its history exciting and accessible to a wide audience.

[@yipengli1072]

Could you add the recording featuring King's under Cleobury? There's a recording on Brilliant Classics featuring Lynne Dawson and John Mark Ainsley. I hope you don't mind my mentioning King's under Cleobury, as I'm a diehard fan of that era in the choir's history. It's a bright, focused and smart recording. I know you may not have time to see this but I hope there's enough time for you to remember this before Christmas.

[@musiconrecord6724]

I really like the Cleobury era too - tragic that he died so soon after retiring. I just picked their recording of the Handel Coronation Anthems as the best CD version.

[@richardmurray7505]

Excellent review of MESSIAH recordings. Your last two selections are also my family’s favorites. I have the fabulous HOGWOOD on LP albums and plan to listen to it more on our newly acquired turntable. You have very good taste, my good man.

[@musiconrecord6724]

Thanks so much. You might be interested in reading the article I just wrote about this recording for trackingangle.com here: trackingangle.com/features/handel-s-messiah-and-the-recording-that-changed-the-classical-record-industry

[@barbaricyawper14]

Great survey! I totally agree about Hogwood. In addition I recommend Mackerras/English Chamber Orchestra (HMV 1967) and Marriner/Academy St Martin (Argo 1976). Those, along with the Hogwood and Davis you recommended, round out my top favorites.

[@musiconrecord6724]

Do check out the Polyphony/Stephen Layton recording I mentioned. It's glorious!

[@feskoegaffney9177]

Ok I reveal myself as an apostasy. I love the so called adjusted Beacham recording! Also I love the Colin Davis last recording which he admitted that he adjusted a number of the manuscript and he had the imo the correct instincts. Do you have an opinion?

[@musiconrecord6724]

Go with whatever you like best! The Beecham is definitely a classic of its kind.

[@joel0156789]

Hello. I am surprised that in your recommendations of the Messiahs there is not the famous version of John Eliot Gardiner, which seems to me to be on the same level of excellence as Hogwood's. Would it be a voluntary forgetting?

[@musiconrecord6724]

TBH, I simply haven't heard it in years (mea culpa!). Like the Trevor Pinnock, I remember it as being very good, but lacking that indefinable "magic" the Hogwood recording has in spades.