| RECORDINGS |
|
| LABEL: |
VOCHOR |
| CATALOG
NUMBER: |
VCDMCD1002 |
| UPC
NUMBER: |
N/A |
| NUMBER OF DISCS: |
2 |
| RUNNING TIME: |
1:09:48;
1:13:48 |
| YEAR
RECORDED: |
1999 |
| CD
RELEASE
DATE: |
1999 |
| CONDUCTOR: |
RODNEY
WYNKOOP |
| ORCHESTRA: |
DUKE
UNIVERSITY ORCHESTRA |
| CHOIR: |
DUKE
UNIVERSITY
CHAPEL CHOIR |
| SOPRANO: |
PENELOPE
JENSEN |
| MEZZO
SOPRANO: |
JAN
WILSON |
| TENOR: |
KARL
DENT |
| BARITONE: |
GRANT
YOUNGBLOOD |
|
| AUDIO SAMPLES |
HIGHLIGHTS |
OTHER
RELEASES |
NONE |
NONE |
NONE
|
|
DISC ONE
PART I
1. SYMPHONY [3:30]
2. RECITATIVE (tenor Comfort ye my people
[3:03]
3. AIR (tenor) Every valley shall be
exalted [3:23]
4. CHORUS And the glory of the Lord shall
be revealed [2:47]
5. RECITATIVE (baritone) Thus saith the
Lord of Hosrs [1 :30]
6. AIR (baritone) But who may abide the
day of his coming [3:37]
7. CHORUS And he shall purify the sons of
Levi [2:21]
8. RECITATIVE (mezzo soprano) Behold, a
virgin shall conceive [0:34]
9. AIR (mezzo soprano) and CHORUS O thou
that tellesr good tidings to Zion [5:02]
10. RECITATIVE (baritone) For behold,
darkness shall cover the earth [2:16]
11. AIR (baritone) The people that walked
in darkness [3:20]
12. CHORUS For unto us a child is born
[3:54]
13. PIFA (pastoral symphony) [3:38]
14. RECITATIVE (soprano) There were
shepherds abiding in the field [1:55]
15. CHORUS Glory to God in the highest
[1:55]
16. AIR (soprano) Rejoice greatly, O
daughter of Zion [4:57]
17. RECITATIVE (mezzo soprano) Then shall
the eyes of the blind be opened [0:36]
18. AIR (mezzo soprano and soprano) He
shall feed his flock like a shepherd
[5:44]
19. CHORUS His yoke is easy [2:29]
PART II
20. CHORUS Behold the Lamb of God [3:28]
21. AIR (mezzo soprano) He was despised
and rejected of men [9:49]
|
DISC TWO
1. CHORUS Surely he hath borne our
griefs [1:48]
2. CHORUS And with his stripes we are
healed [1:40]
3. CHORUS All we, like sheep, have gone
astray [4:15]
4 RECITATIVE (tenor) All they that see him
laugh him to scorn [0:44]
5. CHORUS I-Ie trusted in God that he
would deliver him [2:26]
6. RECITATIVE (tenor) Thy rebuke hath
broken his heart [1 :50]
7. AIR (tenor) Behold, and see [1:43]
8 RECITATIVE (tenor) He was cut off out of
the land of the living [0:19]
9. AIR (tenor) But thou didst not leave
his soul in hell [2:07]
10. CHORUS Lift up your heads [2:56]
1l. RECITATIVE (tenor) Unto which of the
angels said he at any time [0:17]
12. CHORUS Let all the angels of God
worship him [1:22]
13. AIR (soprano) Thou art gone up on high
[3:14]
14. CHORUS The Lord gave the word [1 :00]
15. AIR (soprano) How beautiful are the
feet [2:36]
16. CHORUS Their sound is gone out into
all lands [1:21]
17. AIR (baritone) Why do the nations so
furiously rage [2:46]
18. CHORUS Let us break their bonds
asunder [1:49]
19. RECITATIVE (tenor) He that dwellerh in
heaven [0:16]
20. AIR (tenor) Thou shalt break them with
a rod of iron [1 :59]
21. CHORUS Hallelujah [3:39]
PART III
22 AIR (soprano) I know that my Redeemer
liveth [6:44]
23. CHORUS Since by man came death [2:24]
24. RECITATIVE (baritone) Behold, I tell
you a mystery [0:40]
25. AIR (baritone) The trumpet shall sound
[8:34]
26. RECITATIVE (mezzo soprano) Then shall
be brought to pass [0:25]
27. DUET (mezzo soprano & tenor)
86 CHORUS O death, where is thy sting?
[3:12]
28. AIR (soprano) If God be For us [4:51]
29. CHORUS Worthy is the Lamb that was
slain [6:51]
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SITE RATING: 7/10
SITE
REVIEW: This 1999
digital recording, made from a series of live
performances by Duke University, under the
baton of Rodney Wynkoop, is one of the finest
non-professional Messiah's I've heard.
Crisp sonics, finely finessed playing
and singing, and soloists who are more than
serviceable, all blend to create a very
pleasant listening experience. And
although I try to draw the line at private
Messiah releases (especially community choirs,
public schools, and church releases), I enjoy
seeking out these rare recordings for gems
such as this one. The
Duke
University Chapel Choir (who, as of this
writing is still under the direction of Dr.
Wynkoop) sound quite smooth and unified for an
150-voice chorus, with clear diction, and
precise attacks - they struggle occasionally
with unified melismas and pure tone in the
sopranos, but these are minor infractions,
they shine on many of the choruses,
with especially thrilling readings of
"For Unto Us A Child Is Born" and "Glory To
God". The soloists are all quite fine -
with special mention going to baritone Grant
Youngblood, with his rich tessitura and
commanding presence; tenor Karl Dent is also
quite forceful, leaning toward the operatic,
(true of all the soloists), and lacking a
sense of tenderness during some of the arias.
Mezzo soprano Jan Wilson is the weak
link here, with a more pushed sound and
occasional unsteadiness in pitch. Soprano
Penelope Jensen also didn't quite convince me
with her performance, sounding somewhat thin
and strained in her upper register, but
otherwise pitch perfect on "Rejoice Greatly"
and other softer moments. The Duke
University Chapel Orchestra are very strong,
with lovely tone, and assured, rich playing
throughout. Wynkoop's direction is very sure,
not entirely in the New Baroque tradition, but
reveling in the richer moments, and giving
needed propulsion to other moments.
Expertly recorded and mixed, this
Messiah sounds clean and polished, and stands
as one of the best collegiate Messiah's.
Worth
seeking out for collectors.
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