George Frederic Handel: Messiah
Sheet Music

SKU: NX.PC10351

By Daniela Dolci, Dino Luthy, Flavio Ferri-Benedetti, Miriam Feuersinger, Musica Fiorita, and Raitis Grigalis. By George Frideric Handel. Classical. CD (2 discs). Published by Naxos (NX.PC10351).

Handel's Messiah is already very well-represented on the market with dozens of existing recordings and new productions appearing at regular intervals. Yet this is a very special version, carefully crafted, Halle Handel Edition in hand, by a Basel-based selection of fine vocal soloists and instrumentalists who have all graduated from the world-famous Schola Cantorum Basiliensis. Under the fine direction of Daniela Dolci, singers Miriam Feuersinger, Flavio Ferri-Benedeti, Dino Luthy and Raitis Grigalis join the ensemble Musica Fiorita for a moving studio recording made in October 2015. For obtaining the very nuanced sound aesthetics which define this recording, the chosen cast is deliberately small: alongside the soloists, two ripieni per voice were used for the choir. In contrast, the instrumental ensemble is composed of two violins and one oboe per part as well as a viola, cello, bassoon, violone, two theorbos, two harpsichords, and two positive organs for the basso continuo group. The optimal balance is achieved with the use of natural trumpets without finger holes. All in all, a welcome breath of fresh air for one of the finest compositions of all time.