RECORDINGS

LABEL: ST. THOMAS CHURCH
CATALOG NUMBER: N/A
UPC NUMBER: 837101441230
NUMBER OF DISCS: 2
RUNNING TIME: 132:59
YEAR RECORDED: DECEMBER 12, 14, 2006
CD RELEASE DATE: 2007
CONDUCTOR: JOHN SCOTT
ORCHESTRA: CONCERT ROYAL
CHOIR: THE SAINT THOMAS CHOIR OF MEN AND BOYS
SOPRANO: AVA PINE
CONTRALTO: KIRSTEN SOLLEK
TENOR: JOSEPH GAINES
BARITONE: SUMNER THOMPSON

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THE SAINT THOMAS
CHURCH WEB SITE
AUDIO SAMPLES HIGHLIGHTS OTHER RELEASES
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DISC ONE

1. Overture    3:19
2. Recit (Tenor): Comfort ye, my people    3:00
3. Aria (Tenor): Ev'ry valley shall be exalted    :23
4. Chorus: And the Glory of the Lord    2:40
5. Recit (Bass): Thus saith the Lord    1:27
6. Aria (Bass): But who may abide the day?    4:14
7. Chorus: And he shall purify    2:38
8. Recit (Alto): Behold, a virgin shall conceive    :24
9. Aria (Alto): O Thou, that tellest good tidings    3:45
10. Chorus: O Thou, that tellest good tidings    1:43
11. Recit (Bass): for behold, darkness    2:15
12. Aria (Bass): The people that walked in darkness    3:44   
13. Chorus: For Unto Us A Child Is Born    4:11
14. PIFA (Pastoral Symphony)    2:36
15. Recit (Soprano): There were shepherds abiding    1:09
16. Chorus: Glory to God    2:17
17. Aria (Soprano): Rejoice Greatly    4:28
18. Recit (Soprano): Then shall the eyes of the blind    :25
19. Aria (Soprano): He shall feed his flock    5:02
20. Chorus: His yoke is easy    2:23

PART TWO
1. Chorus: Behold the Lamb of God    3:00
2. Aria (Alto): He was despised    10:06
3. Chorus: Surely he hath bome our griefs    2:01
4. Chorus: And with his stripes we are healed    1:53
5. Chorus: All we like sheep    4:01
DISC TWO

6 Recit (Soprano): All they that see him    :44
7 Chorus: He trusted in God    2:10
8 Recit (Soprano) Thy rebuke hath broken his heart 1:54
9 Aria (Soprano): Behold and see    1:39
10 Recit (Soprano): He was cut off out of the land    :14
11 Aria (Soprano): But Thou didst not leave    2:16
12 Chums. Lift up your heads    3:13
13 Chorus: The Lord gave the Word    3:15
14 Aria: (Soprano): How beautiful are the feet    2:24
75 Chorus: Their sound is gone out    1:24
16 Aria (Bass): Why do the nations?    5:03
17 Chorus: Let us break their bonds    1:39
18 Recit (Tenor): He that dwelleth    :12
19 Aria (Tenor): Thou shalt break them    2:05
20 Chorus: Hallelujah    3:57

PART THREE
21 Aria (Soprano): l know that my redeemer liveth    6:02
22 Chorus: Since by man came death   2:09
23 Recit (Bass): Behold I tell you    :35
24 Aria (Bass): The trumpet shall sound        2:25
25 Recit (Alto): Then shall be brought to pass    :17
26 Duet Who, & Tenor): O death, where is thy sting? 1:04
27 Chorus: But thanks be to God    2:10
28 Aria (Soprano): If God be for us    4:06
29 Chorus: Worthy is the Lamb    3:18
30 Chorus: Amen    4:40
SITE RATING:  8/10
SITE REVIEW:  This privately-produced and released recording of Messiah was performed by The Saint Thomas Church in the city and County of New York, and is definitely worth seeking out for both casual and dedicated collectors.  Conductor John Scott has assembled an excellent company, with soloists, chorus, and orchestra all in fine form.  Although lacking the sparkle and polish of a studio recording, the passion and emotion of the work is on full display.  Recorded live in St. Thomas' church in December, 2006, there is the usual distance in the recording typical of live settings, but this is easily overlooked in the joyous tempos and splendid singing and playing.  I was impressed with bass Sumner Thompson's stirring arias, and the bouncing ricocheting "Let us break their bonds" is captured in brilliant display of the choir's virtuosity.  Tenor Joseph Gaines is a fiery, evangelical soloist, while soprano Ava Pine sounds a bit too full-throated for her showpieces.  Still, this is an excellent recording, another fine example in the growing list of english-speaking Mozart-arranged Messiahs.
The Compleat Messiah All Content Copyright © 2009 Bret D. Wheadon
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