This page lists all recordings of Messiah, by George Frederic Handel (1685-1759) on CD & DVD. Generally, more recent CDs and DVDs are listed first, but with priority given to items that are in stock. Messiah, based on a biblical libretto by Charles Jennens, was written in the summer of 1741 and first performed in Dublin on 13th April 1742. It was originally intended to be performed during lent but it has become more common since Handel's death for Messiah to be performed in Advent. |
All recordingsPrices shown exclude VAT. (UK tax is not payable for deliveries to United States.)
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Lynne Dawson (soprano), Hilary Summers (mezzo), John Mark Ainsley (tenor) & Alastair Miles (bass) King’s College Choir Cambridge & Brandenburg Consort, Stephen Cleobury | 
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Susan Gritton, Sara Mingardo, Mark Padmore & Alastair Miles Tenebrae Choir, London Symphony Orchestra, Sir Colin Davis For a limited period all copies of the 2SACD set will include a
bonus DVD featuring highlights from the performances and
an interview with Sir Colin Davis. English only (no subtitles).
A co-production by the BBC and LSO. “Sir Colin Davis's way with Messiah, as recorded live at the Barbican last December, is old-fashioned by present-day standards. His soloists are all good. The Tenebrae Choir, with its thirty-odd voices, proves near ideal for a performance on this sort of scale, and their sheer neatness is a delight. One or two tempos may be on the slow side, but generally Davis motivates Handel's music with dynamism.” BBC Music Magazine, December 2007 **** | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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Kerstin Avemo, Patricia Bardon, Lawrence Zazzo, Kobie van Rensburg & Neal Davies The Choir of Clare College & Freiburger Barockorchester, René Jacobs René Jacobs follows the highly theatrical Saul, and ecstatic reviews for the neglected La Clemenza di Tito, with Messiah, in the 1750 version with two alto soloists. | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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| |  | (1751 version)This new recording of Handel’s Messiah presents the first modern recording of a re-construction of Handel’s unique London performances of Messiah in April and May 1751, when he used treble voices from the Chapel Royal for choruses and arias.
Henry Jenkinson, Otta Jones, Robert Brooks (trebles), Iestyn Davies (countertenor), Toby Spence (tenor), Eamonn Dougan (bass) Academy of Ancient Music & Choir of New College Oxford, Edward Higginbottom “This is a very special recording. Not only is it of quite outstanding quality both musically and dramatically, but, being sung entirely by male voices associated with a single institution (all the soloists are past or present members of New College Choir), it probably comes as close as modern conditions permit to a sound that Bach would have recognized.” The Daily Telegraph | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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Arleen Auger, Anne Sofie von Otter, Michael Chance, Howard Crook & John Tomlinson The English Concert Choir & The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock (on authentic instruments) "With full, atmospheric and well-balanced recording, this is a set not to be missed" Penguin Guide*** (1994) | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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Emma Kirkby Academy of Ancient Music, Westminster Cathedral Choir, Christopher Hogwood | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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Susan Gritton (soprano), Dorothea Röschmann (soprano), Bernarda Fink (contralto), Charles Daniels (tenor), Neal Davies (bass) Gabrieli Consort & Players, Paul McCreesh | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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| |  | 250th anniversary performance
Sylvia McNair, Anne Sofie von Otter, Michael Chance, Jerry Hadley, Robert Lloyd Academy & Chorus of St Martin in the Fields, Neville Marriner | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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Harper, Watts, Wakefield London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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MacNair, Anne Sofie Von Otter, Chance, Hadley & Lloyd Academy of St Martin in the Fields, Neville Marriner | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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Penguin Guide