EMI: 2176452

Handel’s most popular oratorio, if not his most popular work, was premiered in Dublin in 1741. Although Handel achieved wonders in his music some of the success is surely due to the superb text provided by Charles Jennens, a highly educated man who towards the end of his life embarked on an edition of Shakespeare. He was 41 when he gave Handel who was then 56, words that were not too literary nor too specific, but, by using Old Testament prophecy, escaped the accusation of blasphemy had he given a life of Christ drawn from the gospels; even the title itself Messiah (rather than Christ) shows his determination to make the work appreciated by all religious denominations not specifically Christians.

Handel must have been pleased since he responded with music that is at once immediate and memorable and works equally well with small forces – soloists, choir of 20, orchestra of 35 – to ones which fill the largest possible halls. This recording, conducted by Sir Andrew Davis, is of the latter kind.