Margaret Price / Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks / Colin Davis

Handel: Messiah (2CD)

Colin Davis recorded Handel's 'Messia' twice for Philips - in the 1960s with an English cast and then in the 1980s with British soprano and tenor soloists, a German alto and an American bass, not to mention a German orchestra and chorus. It's a warm and voluble reading and was for a short while available on 3CDs at full price. It is now restored to the catalogue at budget price on 2CDs, not a moment too soon and is bound to join the pantheon of great 'Messiahs' currently available on CD.

PERFORMERS

GEORGE FRIDERIC HANDEL Messiah Margaret Price, soprano Hanna Schwarz, alto Stuart Burrows, tenor Simon Estes, bass Chor des Bayerischen Rundfunks Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks Colin Davis