Handel: Messiah, HWV 56 (Foundling Hospital Version 1754) (1980) [Blu-ray]

Recordings like Christopher Hogwood's Messiah are perfect vehicles for the debate of the authentic instrument movement in music. Especially here, since a work as well known to a wide general audience as the Messiah (the recordings of which number in the thousands) will get a number of varied reactions depending upon the performance.

Hogwood, although known to many as a "father" (of sorts) to the authentic movement in music, was actually the keyboardist in Neville Marriner's Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields before leaving to form his own Academy of Ancient Music. He has done extensive scholarly research into the performance traditions of Baroque music, much of which has permanently altered many long-standing attitudes and traditions in music performance. The question remains, though: does all of this research and application contribute to a finished product that is communicative to an audience?

It seems likely, if based only on the impressive cast. Augmenting the Academy's forces are tenor Paul Elliott, contralto Carolyn Watkinson, and sopranos Judy Nelson and Emma Kirkby. The Christ Church Cathedral Choir, Oxford, is equally impressive. For this recording, as is indicated in his extensive and thorough liner notes, Hogwood utilizes the 1754 Foundling Hospital version. Although it may be a surprising change for some listeners accustomed to the more "standard" versions, the re-creation of this performance is important in a number of ways, historically and artistically.

Треклист:
George Frideric Handel (1685–1759)
Messiah, HWV 56
Libretto: Charles Jennens from Biblical texts
Foundling Hospital version, 15 May 1754
Part One
1. Symphony 02:52
2. Comfort Ye, My People - Ev'ry Valley Shall Be Exalted 06:35
3. And The Glory Of The Lord 02:51
4. Thus Saith The Lord...But Who May Abide 05:31
5. And He Shall Purify The Sons Of Levi 02:42
6. Behold, A Virgin Shall Conceive...O Thou That Tellest... 06:14
7. For Behold, Darkness Shall Cover The Earth...The People... 05:35
8. For Unto Us A Child Is Born 04:14
9. Pifa (Pastoral Symphony) 00:52
10. There Were Shepherds...Glory To God In The Highest 03:23
11. Rejoice Greatly, O Daughter Of Zion 04:09
12. Then Shall The Eyes Of The Blind ... He Shall Feed His Flock 05:03
13. His Yoke Is Easy 02:36
Part Two
14. Behold The Lamb Of God 02:17
15. He Was Despised 10:14
16. Surely He Hath Borne Our Griefs... And With His Stripes... 03:52
17. All We Like Sheep Have Gone Astray 04:07
18. All They That See Him...He Trusted In God 02:59
19. Thy Rebuke Hath Broken His Heart...Behold The Lamb Of... 03:37
20. But Thou Didst Not Leave His Soul In Hell 02:22
21. Lift Up Your Heads 03:15
22. Unto Which Of The Angels...Let All The Angels 01:44
23. Thou Art Gone Up On High 02:55
24. The Lord Gave The Word 01:14
25. How Beautiful Are The Feet 02:05
26. Their Sound Is Gone Out 01:21
27. Why Do The Nations...Let Us Break Asunder 03:15
28. He That Dwelleth In Heaven...Thou Shalt Break Them 02:11
29. Hallelujah 03:51
Part Three
30. I Know That My Redeemer Liveth 05:35
31. Since By Man Came Death 02:03
32. Behold, I Tell You A Mystery...The Trumpet Shall Sound 09:00
33. Then Shall Be Brought To Pass - O Death, Where Is Thy Sting? 01:22
34. But Thanks Be To God 02:18
35. If God Be For Us 04:22
36. Worthy Is The Lamb...Blessing And Honour 03:45
37. Amen 03:23