---

SITE RATING:  2/10 SITE REVIEW:  Sir John Pritchard's tenure with the London Philharmonic dates from 1961-1966, and this recording, which I'm guessing comes from that era, sounds very much of its time, with everything overblown, both in performance and sonically.  The London Philharmonic Chorus sounds as if they're singing their very lungs out, and the Orchestra plays with deep, melodramatic swells in the grand, romantic style, but more so - this is a Messiah played and sung with great heaving, panting effort.  The soloists are hit-and-miss; tenor Richard Lewis and soprano Heather Harper have lovely tones, but tend to swoop from note to note, bass John Holmes is very throaty and hollow-toned, and alto Norma Proctor sings with great feeling, and similarly great Wagnerian weight.  The Philarmonic Orchestra and Chorus are sloppy here, with ragged entrances and cut-offs, and the recorded sound is thick with echo - the choir especially sounds disunified, with the tenors punching out of the sound far more than the other parts.  With a bare minimum of tracks present, and the very old, shabby sound afforded this performance, I wouldn't recommend this disc over other, better selections.

---