Just in time for Easter... Handel's Messiah by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir & Orchestra at Temple Square (Music Album Review & Giveaway)


Special Announcement

Mormon Tabernacle Choir to Release Landmark Recording of
New Wilberg Edition of Handel’s Messiah

In conjunction with this release, the Choir is inviting singers to join in a virtual choir singing Handel’s “Hallelujah” chorus and is soliciting participation from fans across the globe. More information can be found at virtualchoir.mormon.org. The Choir and Orchestra will stream a live performance of Messiah online Good Friday, March 25. More information about that event can be found at mormontabernaclechoir.org/messiah.

Read more about Messiah, check out my review, and enter to win a highlights CD below...

Handel's Messiah - The Complete OratorioHandel's Messiah Highlights
Listen to a sample HERE.

(SALT LAKE CITY) February 23, 2016 –The Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square are releasing a new recording of George FridericHandel’s Messiah, one of the most beloved of all works. Featuring a new edition by conductor Mack Wilberg, the recording will be released Friday, March 4.

“We recognized that we needed to create something special and unique to this new recording,” Wilberg said. “It required examining every note of the vocal and instrumental parts and making decisions as to what would accommodate a 360-voice choir and large orchestra and still reflect our present-day knowledge of Baroque performance practices.”

Featured on the recording are four renowned soloists from around the word: in: Sonya Yoncheva from Bulgaria, Tamara Mumford from the United States, Rolando Villazón from Mexico, and Bryn Terfel from Wales.

“We were very fortunate in engaging some of the great singers of our time,” Wilberg stated. “In fact, it’s very much an international cast of singers, not unlike Handel’s day when his own various performances of Messiah featured some of the greatest singers of his day from continental Europe.”

The world-renown Choir with its companion ensemble Orchestra at Temple Square will provide its historic recording in two offerings, one as the Complete Oratorio on two discs with an accompanying DVD with behind-the-scenes footage and interviews. The other is a one-disc Highlights edition including the best-known pieces from the beloved oratorio.

The Complete Oratorio and Highlights versions of Messiah by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square are available right now for pre-order on iTunes, Amazon.com, and DeseretBook.com.

Mormon Tabernacle Choir: Handel's Messiah – The Complete Oratorio
  
Mormon Tabernacle Choir: Handel's Messiah Highlights
 
(Affiliate links included.)

My Review

HANDEL'S MESSIAH BY THE MORMON TABERNACLE CHOIR & ORCHESTRA AT TEMPLE SQUARE was a beautiful rendition of Handel's classic Messiah. Both The Complete Oratorio and Highlights versions were superb! Each soloist gave full-voiced performances, the choir blended well, and the orchestra sounded pitch-on, meeting expectations for these performers. Perfect for the Easter holiday season and for those who appreciate this wonderful and religious classical music. 

The Complete Oratorio will be played on days when we can enjoy this music actively or play it in the background and the Highlights will be listened to quite often at home and elsewhere. Either or both would make wonderful gifts. I'm looking forward to my children becoming more familiar with HANDEL'S MESSIAH and having it played quite often this Easter season. I can't wait to see what the choir and orchestra produce next!

Source: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, which did not affect my review in any way.

About the Performers

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Mormon Tabernacle Choir is a 360-member choir which has traveled around the world performing at the inaugurations of U.S. presidents, at World’s Fairs and expositions, in acclaimed concert halls, on television and radio broadcasts, and numerous other events.

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Orchestra at Temple Square is a 150-member, all-volunteer symphony orchestra organized in 1999 to perform and accompany the musical ensembles of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir organization. With their incomparable medley of voices andinstruments and their shared faith in God they are a significant, recognizable presence in the world of music, giving service through song.


Giveaway

One CD of Mormon Tabernacle Choir: Handel's Messiah Highlights
Provided by Wishful Endings
US only
Ends March 25th

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Desert Book - Bringing Values Home Since 1866

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