Word: harmonia
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Dates: during 1990-1999
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MESSIAH, 3 Vols. (harmonia mundi). Handel's Messiahs -- that's right, Handel composed more than one version of his beloved oratorio -- have become a holiday ritual since the premiere 250 years ago. A pragmatist as well as a great composer, Handel penned several alternative sections to accommodate the strengths and limitations of different musical ensembles. This recording assembles, as addenda, all the alternative arias, recitatives and choruses (hence the three volumes). Nicholas McGegan, a major authentic-period- instrument and practiced Handel conductor, leads marvelous singers and players in a splendid performance. Hallelujah...
EMIL GILELS: PROKOFIEV & KABALEVSKI (harmonia mundi). Gilels was magisterial in both Prokofiev's brilliantly fertile Concerto No. 3 and his Second Sonata, but the exuberant, captivatingly melodic Piano Concerto No. 3, with composer Dmitri Kabalevski conducting, makes this reissue irresistible...
CHANT GREGORIEN (Harmonia Mundi). This collection of medieval liturgical songs, featuring the late countertenor Alfred Deller and the Deller Consort, illustrates the paradox of austere expression that is also voluptuous...