Handel: Messiah, Arias & Choruses, Solti (CD)

[[Description]]“Chorus where the exultant sound lifts one’s heart, but in all the fast choruses where the singers stay precisely with Solti’s baton all the way . . . the vocal quartet is excellent, most notably Dame Kiri.” — Chicago TribuneUntil 1984, Sir Georg Solti had never conducted any of George Frideric Handel’s choral works. The rehearsals and performances leading to the recording of his Messiah marked Solti’s first with the work, regarded among the best recordings of the work today. With an orchestra of 40 joined by nearly 100 singers from the Chicago Symphony Chorus, Solti maintains crisp linear momentum throughout, achieving a full sound for the majestic choruses and something more delicate for Handel’s gentler moments.[[Contents]]Handel MessiahSir Georg Solti conductorKiri Te Kanawa sopranoAnne Gjevang altoKeith Lewis tenorGwynne Howell bassChicago Symphony ChorusMargaret Hillis directorOctober 1984, Orchestra Hall, ChicagoTrack Listing: Accompagnato: “Comfort ye, My people”