Marc Minkowski - Handel: Messiah (2001)

Marc Minkowski has led numerous outstanding Handel recordings, but he's up against stiff competition in Messiah. There are plenty of outstanding ones to suit all tastes, from Colin Davis's traditional performance on Philips to those of early-music specialists such as Hogwood, Suzuki, Christophers, and Pinnock. Minkowski is wildly original, and his version is unlike any other; it will intrigue some and anger many. He indulges in sharp tempo extremes and encourages his vocalists to emote in ways that some will find overdone. The result is exciting at times, but wearing at others, as in "He was despised." The Hallelujah Chorus lacks grandeur and "Let us break the bonds asunder" sounds frantic even as one admires the chorus's articulation at impossible speeds. Some of the soloists are quite good. Brian Asawa's sweet countertenor is a big plus, but some of his colleagues aren't up to their competitors on disc. A provocative Messiah, then, one collectors may want to supplement other, more compelling versions. -- Dan Davis