Anyone who can never get enough of Handel's Messiah should be interested in this first-class performance and first-rate recording by
Frieder Bernius, with the
Kammerchor Stuttgart and Barockorchester Stuttgart, recorded in super audio digital sound for Carus in 2008.
Bernius knows Messiah backwards, forwards, inside-out, and sideways, and his tempos, balances, and interpretation can no more be faulted for technical imperfections any more than his interpretations can be regarded as outside the accepted norms of period performance. The chorus and orchestra know the work well, and the performances are as note-perfect as they are deeply felt. The soloists, too, turn in exemplary performances, and soprano
Carolyn Sampson is especially affecting. Listeners may not find new insights here --
Bernius' reading does not stray from the standard celebratory take on the work; nor do his performers top the great performers of the past --
Elisabeth Schwarzkopf's star turn in
Otto Klemperer's recording still cannot be beat -- but listeners are not likely to go away disappointed, especially in Carus' "you are there" super audio sound.