[ Post a Response | The MusicWeb Message Board ]
CELEBRATING 20,000 Classical CD reviews on-line; 21,000 visitors each day.
Return to MusicWeb International
Posted by David Payn on February 10, 2007, 1:45 pm, in reply to "Dunedin Consort and Players: Messiah" Have you heard the recent issue on the Naxos label of the Messiah (Choir of New College Oxford and soloists/Edward Higginbottom)? I purchased this a few days ago and whilst it is a different performing version to the Dunedin's comparisons come fairly easy to me. Initially, having gorged myself on several listenings to the Dunedins, the trebles singing of the soprano lines and the solos in the NCO version did jar at first, but on repeated listening, I realise that they do a fine job generally. However, the Dunedin Consort for me, win hands down, largely due to their exceptional diction. Okay, that might be considered easier to achieve with a smaller choir, but even in the solo arias, the Dunedin soloists are far clearer in their diction without ever over-emphasising to the detriment of the flow of the music (and I include the adult soloists of both in comparison). Perhaps the Academy of Ancient Music are slightly crisper and tighter than the Dunedin Players (though for me, there's not a great deal in it) but the overall impression for me, is that the Dunedins give a far greater account of the 'story' as a whole than the NCO/AAM and appear to really get into the meaning of the oratorio far better than the NCO. I'd be interested to see your views. My previous top choice was the English Concert and soloists/Pinnock (Archiv) but now, I feel it will be a long time before any Messiah recording betters the Dunedin Consort and Players. Regards Dave
89.213.21.241
Hello again, Michael.
Message Thread:
« Back to thread
Thank you for using the MusicWeb Message Board.
Len Mullenger - Founder of MusicWeb