RESOUNDING ECHOES: From August 2022, Robert McCarney's regular series features little-known twentieth century classical composers.
DISCUSSION: John Dante Prevedini leads a discussion about Improvisation in the classical world and beyond, including contributions from David Arditti, James Lewitzke, James Ross and Steve Vasta.
SPONSORED: Profile. A Gold Mine - Roderic Dunnett visits Birmingham to talk to John Joubert.
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The oratorio Messiah was written by George Frideric Handel between 22 August and 14 September 1741 in London. It was first performed in Dublin on 13 April 1742. The text compiled by Charles Jennens is based on the King James Bible and the Coverdale Psalter.
Spotlight. Vitality and Freshness - Gerald Fenech is delighted by Bojan Čičić and Steven Devine's recording of Handel's violin sonatas. '... infectious warmth and extraordinary dexterity ...'
Spotlight. Very Interesting Listening - Gerald Fenech recommends a recording of the 1741 version of Handel's 'Messiah'. 'Soloists and chorus sing with a lyrical intensity that is impeccable throughout and Felix Koch keeps a tight rein on proceedings ...'
Classical music news - Hallelujah! - Enjoy performances around the world of Handel's 'Messiah' in December 2023
Classical music news. August 2023 Newsletter - Watch and listen to our August 2023 one hour video newsletter - The Creative Spark
Classical music news - Previews - Looking ahead to events during the 2023/24 season
Youth Engagement in Choral Music - Scott Butterly, who has grown up in the Anglican choral tradition, argues that choirs, in any form, allow young people to fully gain the benefits of classical music
Ensemble. 'Messiah' Overload? - Handel from Derby Bach Choir, reviewed by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. An Endurance Test - Rossini, Monti, J S Bach, Mozart, Handel, Vaughan Williams and Dave Maslanka from the Syzygy Quartet, heard by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. Zesty Singing - Edward Turner conducts Handel's 'Messiah' at Derby Cathedral, reviewed by Mike Wheeler
Book Review. A Real Gem - Jonathan Keates' study of Handel's 'Messiah', recommended by Gerald Fenech
Ensemble. Engagingly Light on its Feet - Handel's 'Messiah' from Derby Choral Union, reviewed by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. Engaging Accounts - A Celebration of the Twentieth Anniversary of Derby Cathedral Girls' Choir, heard by Mike Wheeler
CD Spotlight. Delicate and Slender - Handel's 'Messiah', recommended by Gerald Fenech. 'A new experience of a work we have heard so many times.'
Ensemble. Airy and Light - Handel's 'Messiah' from Hugh Morris and Derby Cathedral Choir, enjoyed by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. Crisp and Assured - Handel's 'Messiah' in Derby Cathedral, reviewed by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. Engagingly Sung - Hugh Morris' first choral concert as Master of the Music at Derby Cathedral, enjoyed by Mike Wheeler
CD Spotlight. Tongue-in-cheek Baroque - Red Priest's 'Handel in the Wind', heard by Howard Smith. '... Piers Adams riding the surf at breakneck speed.'
Ensemble. Sizeable Shoes - Peter Gould's last 'Messiah' performance as Derby Cathedral's Master of the Music, heard by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. Holiday Ritual - Christmas music from the Cleveland Orchestra and Chorus, heard by Suzanne Torrey
Ensemble. Solid and Dependable - Derby Choral Union's Messiah, heard by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. On Sparkling Form - Derby Cathedral Choir's Handel 'Messiah', reviewed by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. Invigorating Performance - Handel's 'Messiah' from Derby Choral Union, reviewed by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. Unfailingly Musical - Mike Wheeler listens to Handel's Messiah from Derby Cathedral
Profile. Two Americans in Paris - Maria Nockin talks to Vivica Genaux and Lawrence Brownlee
Ensemble. A Crisp Performance - 'Belshazzar' at the London Handel Festival, reviewed by Robert Hugill
Ensemble. Crisp and Stylish - Derby Choral Union performs Handel's 'Messiah', enjoyed by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. Tremendous Gusto - The Derby Bach Choir joins the 'Sing Hallelujah' project, reported by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. Thoughtfully Conceived - James Judd conducts Handel's 'Messiah', reviewed by Lawrence Budmen
Ensemble. Sing ye to the Lord - Roderic Dunnett was at the 2009 Hereford Three Choirs Festival
Making a Real Fuss - Robert Hugill looks forward to English Touring Opera's HandelFest this autumn
Ensemble. A Heavenly Blend - Joshua Habermann conducts the Master Chorale of South Florida, reviewed by Lawrence Budmen
Ensemble. A Worthy Feast - Christopher White and Melanie Reinhard at London's Foundling Museum, enjoyed by Malcolm Miller
Intrinsic Virtue - A concert and Handel exhibition at London's Foundling Museum, reviewed by Malcolm Miller
Ensemble. A Rich Sound - Handel's 'Samson', enjoyed by Robert Hugill
Ensemble. Infectious Rhythms - Jim Lueers' 'Come to the Well', enjoyed by Kelly Ferjutz
Ensemble. Shining Confidence - Derby Cathedral Choir's performance of Handel's 'Messiah' invigorates Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. Simply Too Long - Mike Wheeler sits through film scores and Christmas music
CD Spotlight. A Thrilling Experience - Kevin Bowyer plays Alkan, reviewed by Alistair Hinton. '... flawless technique and missionary commitment ...'
Ensemble. Tremendous Urgency - Derby Bach Choir's performance of Handel's 'Messiah', reviewed by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. Energy and Drama - Handel's 'Messiah' from The Sitwell Singers, enjoyed by Mike Wheeler
Record Box. Clear Vividness - The 1751 version of Handel's 'Messiah', reviewed by Patric Standford
Ensemble. Truly Moving - Handel's 'Messiah', reviewed by Robert Hugill
Ensemble. Buoyant and crisp - 'Messiah' in Derby Cathedral, reviewed by Mike Wheeler
Drama in the music - Robert Hugill muses on the staging of Handel's oratorios
CD Spotlight. Infectious delight - Stokowski conducts Vivaldi and Handel, reviewed by Patric Standford. 'His approach was clearly monumental.'
'Messiah' as never before - Howard Smith describes Lygia O'Riordan's quest to bring Handel's masterpiece to Eastern Russia