Philipp von Steinaecker, Musica Saeculorum - George Frideric Handel: Messiah (2010)

This 2009 live performance by German-based chamber ensemble Musica Saeculorum under the direction of Philipp von Steinaecker is a pure, polished recording; sharply defined and alternately musical and muscular in it's sensibility. Despite their German origin, this is a English language performance, with nary a hint of accent detectable; indeed, this is a sparkling performance from all involved, with crisp diction, razor-sharp attacks and both the orchestral and choral forces moving as one. Tenor Daniel Johannsen is electrifying in his solos, with crystal-clear singing and a heroic tone. Bass Dominik Wörner is similarly potent in his arias, bringing high drama and technique to his arias. Alto Kristina Hammarström has admirable richness and expertise in her vocals, while soprano Ruby Hughes has a beautiful, clear tessatura, bell-like and ringing. Their conductor is attuned to the drama of the work, and uses dynamic extremes and pauses to great effect throughout.
The box set contains a hefty bonus as well; besides the packed-full two discs devoted to Messiah, there are an additional two discs which are entitled "He Knew Humanity" a radio show-like program in which Handel scholar Winton Dean discusses Handel's Oratorio's with musical underscore and excerpts from 1950-era recordings. The program is entirely in German, so it may not hold interest for all audiences, but is a nice addition to an already stellar Messiah performance. A worthy addition to any Messiah collector, this box set can be considered a first choice.

Performer:
Ruby Hughes, soprano
Kristina Hammarström, alto
Daniel Johannsen, tenor
Domink Wörner, bass
Musica Saeculorum
Philipp von Steinaecker, conductor

Tracklist:
George Frideric Handel (1685-1759)
Messiah, HWV 56
CD1:
Part 1
01. Sinfonia
02. Recitative accompagnato: Comfort ye
03. Air: Every valley shall be exalted
04. Chorus: And the glory of the Lord
05. Recitative accompagnato: Thus saith the Lord
06. Air: But who may abide the day
07. Chorus: And He shall purify
08. Air: Behold! A virgin shall conceive
09. Air and Chorus: O thou that telleth good tidings
10. Recitative accompagnato: For, behold, darkness shall cover
11. Air: The people that walked in darkness
12. Chorus: For unto us a child is born
13. Pifa
14. Recitative: There were shepherds
15. Recitative accompagnato: And lo! the angel of the Lord came
16. Recitative: And the angel said unto them
17. Recitative accompagnato: And suddenly there was with the angel
18. Chorus: Glory to God
19. Air: Rejoice greatly
20. Recitative: Then shall the eyes
21. Air: He shall feed His flock
22. Chorus: His yoke is easy
Part 2
23. Chorus: Behold the Lamb of God
24. Air: He was despised
25. Chorus: Surely He has borne our griefs
26. Chorus: And with His stripes
27. Chorus: All we like sheep
CD2:
01. Recitative accompagnato: All they that see Him laugh Him to scorn
02. Chorus: He trusted in God
03. Recitative accompagnato: Thy rebuke hath broken His heart
04. Air: Behold, and see
05. Recitative accompagnato: He was cut off
06. Air: But Thou didst not leave His soul
07. Recitative: Unto which of the angels
08. Chorus: Let all the angels of God
09. Air: Thou art gone up on high
10. Chorus: The Lord gave the word
11. Air: How beautiful are the feet
12. Chorus: Their sound is gone out
13. Air: Why do the nations
14. Chorus: Let us break their bonds asunder
15. Recitative: He that dwelleth in heaven
16. Air: Thou shalt break them
17. Chorus: Hallelujah!
Part 3
18. Air: I know that my Redeemer liveth
19. Chorus: Since by man came death
20. Recitative accompagnato: Behold, I tell you a mystery!
21. Air: The trumpet shall sound
22. Recitative: Then shall be brought to pass
23. Duet: O death! where is thy sting?
24. Chorus: But thanks be to God
25. Chorus: If God be for us
26. Chorus: Worthy is the Lamb
CD3 (bonus):
01. Sosarme - Ouverture: Allegro
(Margaret Ritchie, Alfred Deller, The Saint Cecilia Orchestra, Sir Anthony Lewis)
02. Einführung
03. Solomon - “May no rash intruder disturb their soft hours”
(Elsie Morison, Alexander Young, John Cameron, The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Thomas Beecham)
04. Winton Dean I
05. Israel in Egypt - “Thou shall bring them”
(Monica Sinclair, The Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Malcolm Sargent)
06. Winton Dean II
07. Solomon - “Golden columns”
(Elsie Morison, Alexander Young, John Cameron, The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Thomas Beecham)
08. Winton Dean III
09. Sosarme - “Per le porte del tormento”
(Margaret Ritchie, Alfred Deller, The Saint Cecilia Orchestra, Sir Anthony Lewis)
10. Über Winton Dean
11. Semele - “Endless pleasure”
(William Herbert, Jennifer Vyvyan, Robert Ellis, The Saint Anthony Singers, The New Symphony Orchestra of London, Sir Anthony Le)
12. Winton Dean IV
13. Solomon - Sinfonia Act III
(Elsie Morison, Alexander Young, John Cameron, The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Thomas Beecham)
14. Winton Dean V
15. Semele - Final scene: Sinfonia, “Apollo comes”, “Happy, happy shall we be”
(William Herbert, Jennifer Vyvyan, Robert Ellis, The Saint Anthony Singers, The New Symphony Orchestra of London, Sir Anthony Le)
16. Memoirs of the Life of the Late George Frederic Handel, final chapter (aus ORF Audiobook)
17. Sosarme - “Tu caro, caro sei il dolce mio tesore”
(Margaret Ritchie, Alfred Deller, The Saint Cecilia Orchestra, Sir Anthony Lewis)
18. Winton Dean VI
19. Semele - “Where'er you walk”
(William Herbert, Jennifer Vyvyan, Robert Ellis, The Saint Anthony Singers, The New Symphony Orchestra of London, Sir Anthony Le)
20. Winton Dean VII
21. Solomon - “Welcome as the dawn of day”
(Elsie Morison, Alexander Young, John Cameron, The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Thomas Beecham)
CD4 (bonus):
01. Winton Dean VIII
02. Serse - “Frondi tenere”, “Ombra mai fu”
(Alfred Deller, The Handel Festival Orchestra, Sir Anthony Lewis)
03. Titel & Absage I über. Solomon - “Will the sun forget to streak”
04. Solomon - “Praise the Lord” & Absage II
(Lois Marshall, John Cameron, The Beecham Choral Society, The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Thomas Beecham)
05. Handels Lebensbeschreibung, übersetzt vom Legations=Rath Matheson, Hamburg 1761 - Titelblatt
06. Handels Lebensbeschreibung, übersetzt vom Legations=Rath Matheson, Hamburg 1761 - Am Hof von Weißenfels
07. Handels Lebensbeschreibung, übersetzt vom Legations=Rath Matheson, Hamburg 1761 - In Venedig
08. Handels Lebensbeschreibung, übersetzt vom Legations=Rath Matheson, Hamburg 1761 - In Rom
09. Handels Lebensbeschreibung, übersetzt vom Legations=Rath Matheson, Hamburg 1761 - “Wassermusik”
10. Handels Lebensbeschreibung, übersetzt vom Legations=Rath Matheson, Hamburg 1761 - Dublin - “Messiah” - Tod
11. Handels Lebensbeschreibung, übersetzt vom Legations=Rath Matheson, Hamburg 1761 - Vorbildcharakter von Handels Werk
12. Memoirs of the Life of the late Handel by John Mainwaring, London 1760 - Title page
13. Memoirs of the Life of the late Handel by John Mainwaring, London 1760 - At the Duke of Saxe-Weißenfels
14. Memoirs of the Life of the late Handel by John Mainwaring, London 1760 - In Venice and Rome
15. Memoirs of the Life of the late Handel by John Mainwaring, London 1760 - In Dublin - “Messiah” - Death"
16. Memoirs of the Life of the late Handel by John Mainwaring, London 1760 - Exemplary character of Handel's work