Handel: Aminta e Fillide

Advantages: Handel's music, Padmore's tonal beauty, excellent Manze & English Concert.
Disadvantages: Too much uniformity in rhythm, volume and tone.

...British tenor Mark Padmore has stolen my heart with his sheer tonal beauty and cool, suave delivery on this disc of Handel arias, 'As steals the morn' from Harmonia Mundi. This recent release (4 February 2007 in the UK) is a collection of songs, recitatives and airs by German-born English composer, George Frideric Handel, taken from his operas, Alceste, Tamerlano and Rodelinda, and oratorios, Il Trionfo del Tempo e del Disinganno, Semele, Samson, Esther, Jephtha and L'Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato. ON MARK PADMORE’S SOOTHING TONAL BEAUTY (AND HIS LOOKS AREN'T TOO SHABBY, EITHER). Mr Padmore sings with such ease and delicacy that every note becomes a soothing balm and a restorative for the droopy soul. Melismas (ornamental phrase of several notes sung to one syllable) are few and far between, and present small difficulty... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Awe inspiring memorable music.
Disadvantages: Long - 2 hrs 20 mins

...Composed by George Frideric Handel Lyrics compiled from the bible by Charles Jennens Performed by Cambridge King's College Choir Academy of St Martin in the Fields directed by Sir Neville Marriner with James Bowman (Countertenor), Robert Tear (tenor), Benjamin Luxon (Bass) Conducted by Sir David Willcocks Label EMI Price £15.99 Available in most good music stores Handel is a German born English composer. He was born in Halle, Germany on 23rs February 1685. He first moved to London in 1710 settling there in 1712. He was eventually nationized English in 1726. In 1741 Handel was invited to visit Dublin and give concerts in aid of charities there. In the same year Jennens sent Handel a religious text and Handel duly composed the music to Messiah (not The Messiah). It debutted in Dublin in 1742. Messiah is the most famous... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: A great piece of music
Disadvantages: None

...If you want a classical piece of music with some real excitement and depth to it, then the Messiah should be your choice. The Messiah is a real masterpiece of the classical period. Handel has managed to wheave together so many different forms and styles of vocal and orchestral music that captivates the audience and lifts the occassions at which it is performed. The Messiah is designed for a choir, soloists and orchestra. I have recently performed as the Bass soloist in the Messiah, and as a performer, I was able to really reach my full potential by singing some of the most complicated music for all musicians. Starting with 2 magical tenor solos, including some great chorus's such as he Allelulia Chorus (at which King George III stood and so is tradition for the audience to do so) and Worthy is the Lamb that was slain... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful