Handel's Messiah

Rating:
Summary: Handel's Messiah DVD
Review: I received this version of Handel's Messiah as a Christmas present and couldn't be happier. Handel's piece is obviously brilliant. The sound track on this DVD gives the piece its rightful respect - it is fabulous. To me, the performance location at the Church of the Multiplication of Loaves and Fish provided an intimate and informal, yet, inspirational setting for such a majestic piece. The details of the video were well thought and, in my opinion, added to the intimacy of the concert.

Rating:
Summary: Handel's Messiah DVD
Review: I received this version of Handel's Messiah as a Christmas present and couldn't be happier. Handel's piece is obviously brilliant. The sound track on this DVD gives the piece its rightful respect - it is fabulous. To me, the performance location at the Church of the Multiplication of Loaves and Fish provided an intimate and informal, yet, inspirational setting for such a majestic piece. The details of the video were well thought and, in my opinion, added to the intimacy of the concert.

Rating:
Summary: Disappointing
Review: It was clear from the start that this was going to be an amature performance when the 'Father' of the church instructed the audience to turn off their cell phones - why in the world would you record this in 5.1 for all to see over and over again! The musicians are of average quality and the performance seems to be home-grown. The emotional appeal (in Israel where Jesus walked) is not enough to make this DVD anything but interesting. Get the Handel Messiah w/Cleobury, Dawson, Summers, & Brandenburg Consort - they get an A+ in my book.

Rating:
Summary: Inspired
Review: Wow, what a great experience this live performance is! Instead of a slick, impersonal production, I was treated to something very organic and engaging. How the producers controlled the sound so expertly in that stone environment is beyond my knowledge, but it is wonderful. The 5.1 surround sound really filled my room. That combined with the video angles and close-ups really showed the inner workings of a major concert. I felt as though I was there. This is an amazing piece with a Jewish orchestra and choir singing a Christian Masterpiece in a Catholic church run by German Benedictine priests. Think about it. There's alot to consider here. Truly inspired.

Rating:
Summary: Inspired
Review: Wow, what a great experience this live performance is! Instead of a slick, impersonal production, I was treated to something very organic and engaging. How the producers controlled the sound so expertly in that stone environment is beyond my knowledge, but it is wonderful. The 5.1 surround sound really filled my room. That combined with the video angles and close-ups really showed the inner workings of a major concert. I felt as though I was there. This is an amazing piece with a Jewish orchestra and choir singing a Christian Masterpiece in a Catholic church run by German Benedictine priests. Think about it. There's alot to consider here. Truly inspired.