Artist: Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Sir Andrew Davis
Album: Handel: Messiah, HWV 56 (1741)
Genre: Classical
Release Date: 2016
Audio Format:: FLAC (tracks) 24 bit, 192 kHz
Duration: 01:54:19
Total Tracks: 46
Total Size: 3,66 GB

Tracklist:

01. Erin Wall, Elizabeth DeShong, Andrew Staples, John Relyea, Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Sir Andrew Davis – Messiah, HWV 56, Part 1: 1. Overture (Sinfony). Grave – Allegro moderato – (03:27)
02. Erin Wall, Elizabeth DeShong, Andrew Staples, John Relyea, Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Sir Andrew Davis – Messiah, HWV 56, Part 1: 2. Accompagnato. Tenor: ‘Comfort ye comfort ye my people’. Larghetto (02:33)
03. Erin Wall, Elizabeth DeShong, Andrew Staples, John Relyea, Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Sir Andrew Davis – Messiah, HWV 56, Part 1: 3. Air. Tenor: ‘Ev’ry valley shall be exalted’. Andante (03:21)
04. Erin Wall, Elizabeth DeShong, Andrew Staples, John Relyea, Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Sir Andrew Davis – Messiah, HWV 56, Part 1: 4. Chorus: ‘And the Flory of the Lord shall be revealed’. Allegro giocoso – Adagio (02:35)
05. Erin Wall, Elizabeth DeShong, Andrew Staples, John Relyea, Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Sir Andrew Davis – Messiah, HWV 56, Part 1: 5. Accompagnato. Bass: ‘Thus saith the Lord’. Solenne (01:31)
06. Erin Wall, Elizabeth DeShong, Andrew Staples, John Relyea, Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Sir Andrew Davis – Messiah, HWV 56, Part 1: 6. Air. Mezzo-soprano: ‘But who may abide the day of his coming!’. Larghetto – Prestissimo – Larghetto – Prestissimo – Adagio (04:01)
07. Erin Wall, Elizabeth DeShong, Andrew Staples, John Relyea, Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Sir Andrew Davis – Messiah, HWV 56, Part 1: 7. Chorus: ‘And He shall purify the sons of Levi’ (02:31)
08. Erin Wall, Elizabeth DeShong, Andrew Staples, John Relyea, Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Sir Andrew Davis – Messiah, HWV 56, Part 1: 8. Recitative. Mezzo-soprano: ‘Behold! A virgin shall conceive’ (00:29)
09. Erin Wall, Elizabeth DeShong, Andrew Staples, John Relyea, Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Sir Andrew Davis – Messiah, HWV 56, Part 1: 9. Air. Mezzo-soprano and Chorus: ‘O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion’. Andante (05:07)
10. Erin Wall, Elizabeth DeShong, Andrew Staples, John Relyea, Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Sir Andrew Davis – Messiah, HWV 56, Part 1: 10. Accompagnato. Bass: ‘For behold darkness shall cover the earth’. Andante larghetto (02:20)
11. Erin Wall, Elizabeth DeShong, Andrew Staples, John Relyea, Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Sir Andrew Davis – Messiah, HWV 56, Part 1: 11. Air. Bass: ‘The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light’. Larghetto (03:09)
12. Erin Wall, Elizabeth DeShong, Andrew Staples, John Relyea, Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Sir Andrew Davis – Messiah, HWV 56, Part 1: 12. Chorus: ‘For unto us a Child is born’. Andante allegro (04:04)
13. Erin Wall, Elizabeth DeShong, Andrew Staples, John Relyea, Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Sir Andrew Davis – Messiah, HWV 56, Part 1: 13. Pastoral Symphony (Pifa). Larghetto – (00:53)
14. Erin Wall, Elizabeth DeShong, Andrew Staples, John Relyea, Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Sir Andrew Davis – Messiah, HWV 56, Part 1: 14a. Recitative. Soprano: ;There were shepherds abiding in the field’. [ ] (00:14)
15. Erin Wall, Elizabeth DeShong, Andrew Staples, John Relyea, Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Sir Andrew Davis – Messiah, HWV 56, Part 1: 14b. Accompagnato. Soprano: ‘And lo the angel of the Lord came upon them’. Andante (00:21)
16. Erin Wall, Elizabeth DeShong, Andrew Staples, John Relyea, Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Sir Andrew Davis – Messiah, HWV 56, Part 1: 15. Recitative. Soprano: ‘And the angel said unto them’ (00:38)
17. Erin Wall, Elizabeth DeShong, Andrew Staples, John Relyea, Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Sir Andrew Davis – Messiah, HWV 56, Part 1: 16. Accompagnato. Soprano: ‘And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude…’. Allegro (00:18)
18. Erin Wall, Elizabeth DeShong, Andrew Staples, John Relyea, Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Sir Andrew Davis – Messiah, HWV 56, Part 1: 17. Chorus: ‘Glory to God in the highest’. L’istesso tempo (02:04)
19. Erin Wall, Elizabeth DeShong, Andrew Staples, John Relyea, Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Sir Andrew Davis – Messiah, HWV 56, Part 1: 18. Air. Soprano: ‘Rejoice greatly O daughter of Zion’. Allegro – Meno mosso – Tempo I – [ ] – Tempo I (04:45)
20. Erin Wall, Elizabeth DeShong, Andrew Staples, John Relyea, Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Sir Andrew Davis – Messiah, HWV 56, Part 1: 19. Recitative. Mezzo-soprano: ‘Then shall the eyes of the blind be open’d’ (00:28)
21. Erin Wall, Elizabeth DeShong, Andrew Staples, John Relyea, Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Sir Andrew Davis – Messiah, HWV 56, Part 1: 20. Duet. Mezzo-soprano and Soprano: ‘He shall feed His flock like a shepherd’. Larghetto – (05:21)
22. Erin Wall, Elizabeth DeShong, Andrew Staples, John Relyea, Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Sir Andrew Davis – Messiah, HWV 56, Part 1: 21. Chorus: ‘His yoke is easy’. Not too fast and with lots of bounce! (02:24)
23. Erin Wall, Elizabeth DeShong, Andrew Staples, John Relyea, Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Sir Andrew Davis – Messiah, HWV 56, Part 2: 22. Chorus: ‘Behold the Lamb of God’. Largo (02:56)
24. Erin Wall, Elizabeth DeShong, Andrew Staples, John Relyea, Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Sir Andrew Davis – Messiah, HWV 56, Part 2: 23. Air. Mezzo-soprano: ‘He was despised and rejected of men’. Largo (05:11)
25. Erin Wall, Elizabeth DeShong, Andrew Staples, John Relyea, Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Sir Andrew Davis – Messiah, HWV 56, Part 2: 24. Chorus: ‘Surely He hath borne our griefs and carried our sorrows’. Largo e staccato – (01:54)
26. Erin Wall, Elizabeth DeShong, Andrew Staples, John Relyea, Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Sir Andrew Davis – Messiah, HWV 56, Part 2: 25. Chorus: ‘And with His stripes we are healed’. Alle breve moderato – (01:49)
27. Erin Wall, Elizabeth DeShong, Andrew Staples, John Relyea, Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Sir Andrew Davis – Messiah, HWV 56, Part 2: 26. Chorus: ‘All we like sheep have gone astray’. Allegro moderato – Adagio (03:56)
28. Erin Wall, Elizabeth DeShong, Andrew Staples, John Relyea, Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Sir Andrew Davis – Messiah, HWV 56, Part 2: 27. Accompagnato. Tenor: ‘All they that see Him laugh Him to scorn’. Larghetto – (00:43)
29. Erin Wall, Elizabeth DeShong, Andrew Staples, John Relyea, Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Sir Andrew Davis – Messiah, HWV 56, Part 2: 28. Chorus: ‘He trusted in God that He would deliver Him’. Allegro (02:20)
30. Erin Wall, Elizabeth DeShong, Andrew Staples, John Relyea, Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Sir Andrew Davis – Messiah, HWV 56, Part 2: 29. Accompagnato. ‘Tenor: ‘Thy rebuke hath broken His Heart’. Largo (01:42)
31. Erin Wall, Elizabeth DeShong, Andrew Staples, John Relyea, Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Sir Andrew Davis – Messiah, HWV 56, Part 2: 30. Arioso. Tenor: ‘Behold and see if there by any sorrow like unto His sorrow’. Largo e piano (01:16)
32. Erin Wall, Elizabeth DeShong, Andrew Staples, John Relyea, Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Sir Andrew Davis – Messiah, HWV 56, Part 2: 31. Accompagnato. Tenor: ‘He was cut off out of the land of the living’ (00:16)
33. Erin Wall, Elizabeth DeShong, Andrew Staples, John Relyea, Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Sir Andrew Davis – Messiah, HWV 56, Part 2: 32. Air. Tenor: ‘But thou didst not leave His soul in Hell’. Andante larghetto (02:07)
34. Erin Wall, Elizabeth DeShong, Andrew Staples, John Relyea, Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Sir Andrew Davis – Messiah, HWV 56, Part 2: 33. Chorus: ‘Lift up your heads O ye gates’. A tempo ordinario (03:13)
35. Erin Wall, Elizabeth DeShong, Andrew Staples, John Relyea, Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Sir Andrew Davis – Messiah, HWV 56, Part 2: 37. Chorus: ‘The Lord gave the word’. Andante allegro – (01:00)
36. Erin Wall, Elizabeth DeShong, Andrew Staples, John Relyea, Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Sir Andrew Davis – Messiah, HWV 56, Part 2: 38. Air. Soprano: ‘How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace’. Larghetto (02:07)
37. Erin Wall, Elizabeth DeShong, Andrew Staples, John Relyea, Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Sir Andrew Davis – Messiah, HWV 56, Part 2: 40. Air. Bass: ‘Who do the nations so furiously rage together’. Allegro – (02:52)
38. Erin Wall, Elizabeth DeShong, Andrew Staples, John Relyea, Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Sir Andrew Davis – Messiah, HWV 56, Part 2: 41. Chorus: ‘Let us break their bonds asunder’. Allegro e staccato (01:48)
39. Erin Wall, Elizabeth DeShong, Andrew Staples, John Relyea, Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Sir Andrew Davis – Messiah, HWV 56, Part 2: 42. Recitative. Tenor: ‘He that dwelleth in heaven shall laugh them to scorn’ – (00:15)
40. Erin Wall, Elizabeth DeShong, Andrew Staples, John Relyea, Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Sir Andrew Davis – Messiah, HWV 56, Part 2: 43. Air. Tenor: ‘Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron’. Andante (01:55)
41. Erin Wall, Elizabeth DeShong, Andrew Staples, John Relyea, Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Sir Andrew Davis – Messiah, HWV 56, Part 2: 44. Chorus: ‘Hallelujah!’. Allegro (03:58)
42. Erin Wall, Elizabeth DeShong, Andrew Staples, John Relyea, Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Sir Andrew Davis – Messiah, HWV 56, Part 3: 45. Air. Soprano: ‘I know that my Redeemer liveth’. Larghetto (06:16)
43. Erin Wall, Elizabeth DeShong, Andrew Staples, John Relyea, Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Sir Andrew Davis – Messiah, HWV 56, Part 3: 46. Chorus: ‘Since by man came death’. Grave – Allegro – Grave – Allegro (02:07)
44. Erin Wall, Elizabeth DeShong, Andrew Staples, John Relyea, Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Sir Andrew Davis – Messiah, HWV 56, Part 3: 47. Accompagnato. Bass: ‘Behold I tell you a mystery’ (00:35)
45. Erin Wall, Elizabeth DeShong, Andrew Staples, John Relyea, Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Sir Andrew Davis – Messiah, HWV 56, Part 3: 48. Air. Bass: ‘The trumpet shall sound’. Pomposo ma non allegro (04:10)
46. Erin Wall, Elizabeth DeShong, Andrew Staples, John Relyea, Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Sir Andrew Davis – Messiah, HWV 56, Part 3: 53. Chorus: ‘Worthy is the Lamb that was slain’. Largo – Larghetto – Allegro moderato (06:58)

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Experience the transcendent glory of Messiah in Sir Andrew Davis’s new, majestic, must-hear edition of Handel’s beloved classic.

Recorded live for SACD release in surround sound, this unique version makes use of all the colours available from the modern symphony orchestra to underline the mood and meaning of the individual movements. Without detracting from the innate power of the original, the conductor’s score calls for moments of drama, pathos, and even, sometimes, whimsicality. It is supported by substantial brass and woodwind forces, and several percussion instruments (including marimba!).

As he explains in a very personal booklet note, this leading British conductor brings immense dedication to what is probably the most famous piece of British sacred music ever composed, this version being one which he has conducted live only a few times, including on this recording. He confesses: ‘Everything I have done instrumentally stems from the enormous respect, even awe, which I feel towards this supreme masterpiece’.