Little on the outside packaging of this album, other than the names of the soloists, tells the buyer that the music was originally recorded in 1971. First released by the Vanguard label, the performance was well done in the first place and has had a durable life in budget reissues. The buyer should know what he or she is getting -- a thoroughly old-school Handel performance, with all the positives and negatives that description implies. The bad news comes in the form of plummy, vibrato-rich sound from the Amor Artis Chorale ...
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Little on the outside packaging of this album, other than the names of the soloists, tells the buyer that the music was originally recorded in 1971. First released by the Vanguard label, the performance was well done in the first place and has had a durable life in budget reissues. The buyer should know what he or she is getting -- a thoroughly old-school Handel performance, with all the positives and negatives that description implies. The bad news comes in the form of plummy, vibrato-rich sound from the Amor Artis Chorale under chorus mater John McCarthy and Swiss-American conductor Johannes Somary, which makes Handel sound like Brahms -- you don't have to be a devotee of historical-instrument performance to feel that singing Handel this way clashes with the bright colors that are intrinsic to the music. The orchestra itself turns in fine performances, warm but restrained, with nicely active continuo realizations by Harold Lester (not at all a given in 1971). The real attraction is the set of four...
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Seller's Description:
Good. This item has very light surface scratches that do not affect the use of the disc/s. This is a USED item. Case and cover may or may not have wear or damage. All items unless otherwise noted will include disc, case, and artwork. Codes have been used. Other contents such as booklets may vary, please inquire for details. All items ship Monday-Friday within 2-3 business days.
