Bach - Magnificat BWV 243; Handel - Dixit Dominus HWV 232 - Emmanuelle Haim

 

Release Date: November 20, 2007 Label: Virgin Classics Number of discs: 1 Composer: Handel, Bach JS Performer: Emmanuelle Haim,      Le Concert d'Astree cd info/ buy

Review:

Emmanuelle Haim never lets up in intensity. Her tempi on some of the Bach movements and on the concluding Gloria Patri of Handel are faster than I've ever heard anyone attempt. Especially on the Magnificat, she is clearly demanding the absolute maximum of her choristers, and to my ears they rise to the challenge. Likewise the soloists, especially the two sopranos and the male alto Philippe Jaroussky, match the demands of both composers and their ardent conductor. As a bassoonist, I'd like to  call attention to the eloquent Baroque bassoon playing of Philippe Miqueu. I'm envious; I wish I'd been there. Good performances of Bach's Magnificat are not uncommon, but this is the first thoroughly satisfactory disk of Handel's Dixit Dominus I've encountered. Special alert to dieters: The charge this performance will put into you is worth at least 1200 calories on the exercycle. Listen and exult!

 

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