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SITE RATING:  3/10 SITE REVIEW:  This 2007 Messiah performed by the Los Angeles Chamber Choir and Musica Angelica, and conducted by Chung Uk Lee, is another "regional" recording, and, in its sphere, its perfectly acceptable, its qualities greatly lacking however, when stacked against international releases.  I wouldn't rush out and purchase it - it has several issues, both with recorded sound, and qualities of the performers.  Let me start with the direction, by Chung Uk Lee, which I found fairly square and unimaginative - with everything taken at a tempo that just seems a bit slower than necessary.  The soloists are what really harm this recording - from the dry, chesty bass Hong Suk Chae, to the off-key singing of the boy soloists.  Soprano Karen Young is bright and chipper, with a nice tone and controlled melismas.  Countertenor Matt Alber is stretched thin on his arias, lacking tonal brilliance; tenor Daniel Plaster is simply not proficient on his melismas, making a very strained, difficult effort.  The Los Angeles Chamber Choir sings well for a city choir, but has no special direction or emphasis given to them by their director, and come off as bland and faceless, while Musica Angelica is similarly flat, performance-wise.  The recorded sound, taken from a live concert is also lacking in brilliance; I suspect that this recording is aimed at subscribers of the Choir and Orchestra, and it's a bit of a puzzle why it's being marketed nationally - it's merits don't recommend it that highly.

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