Disc 1
1. Symphony - London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis
2. 1. Accompagnato: Comfort ye, My people - John Wakefield, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis
3. 2. Air: Ev'ry Valley shall be exalted - John Wakefield, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis
4. 3. Chorus: And the glory of the Lord - London Symphony Chorus, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis
5. 4. Accompagnato: Thus saith the Lord - John Shirley-Quirk, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis
6. 5. Air: "But who may abide the day of his coming" - Helen Watts, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis
7. 6. Chorus: And He shall purify the sons of Levi - London Symphony Chorus, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis
8. 7. Recit: Behold, a Virgin shall conceive 8. Aria:O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion 9. Coro - Helen Watts, London Symphony Chorus, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis
9. 10. Accompagnato: For behold, darkness shall cover the earth 11. Aria: The people that walked in darkness - John Shirley-Quirk, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis
10. 12. Chorus: "For unto us a Child is born" - London Symphony Chorus, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis
11. 13. Pifa (Pastoral Symphony) - London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis
12. 14. Recitative: There were shepherds - Accompagnato: And lo, the angel of the Lord - Recitative: And the angel said unto them - Accompagnato: And suddenly - Heather Harper, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis
13. 15. Chorus: Glory to God in the highest - London Symphony Chorus, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis
14. 16. Air: Rejoice greatly, o daughter of Zion - Heather Harper, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis
15. 17a. Recitative: Then shall the eyes of the blind - Helen Watts, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis
16. 18a. Duet: He shall feed his flock - Heather Harper, Helen Watts, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis
17. 19. Chorus: His yoke is easy - London Symphony Chorus, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis
18. 20. Chorus: Behold the Lamb of God - London Symphony Chorus, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis
19. 21. Air: He was despised - Helen Watts, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis

Disc 2
1. Chorus: Surely He hath borne - And with His stripes - All we like sheep - London Symphony Chorus, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis
2. 25. Accompagnato: All they that see Him - John Wakefield, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis
3. 26. Chorus: He trusted in God - London Symphony Chorus, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis
4. 27. Accompagnato: Thy rebuke hath broken His heart - John Wakefield, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis
5. 28. Arioso: Behold and see - John Wakefield, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis
6. Recitativo accompagnato: He was cut off - Air: But Thou didst not leave - Heather Harper, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis, John Wakefield
7. 31. Chorus: Lift up your heads - London Symphony Chorus, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis
8. Recitativo: Unto which of the angels - Chorus: Let all the Angels - John Wakefield, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis, London Symphony Chorus
9. 34a. Air: "Thou art gone up on high" - Helen Watts, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis, John Shirley-Quirk
10. 36. Air: How beautiful are the feet - Heather Harper, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis
11. 37a. Chorus: Their sound is gone out - London Symphony Chorus, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis
12. 38. Air: Why do the nations - John Shirley-Quirk, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis
13. 39. Chorus: Let us break their bonds asunder - London Symphony Chorus, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis
14. Recitativo: He that dwelleth - Air: Thou shalt break them - John Wakefield, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis
15. 42. Chorus: "Hallelujah" - London Symphony Chorus, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis
16. 43. Air: I know that my Redeemer liveth - Heather Harper, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis
17. 44. Chorus: Since by man came death - London Symphony Chorus, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis
18. 45. Accompagnato: Behold, I tell you a mystery - John Shirley-Quirk, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis
19. 46. Air: The trumpet shall sound - John Shirley-Quirk, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis
20. Recitativo: Then shall be brought - Duet: O death were is thy sting - Chorus: But thanks be to God - Helen Watts, John Wakefield, London Symphony Chorus, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis
21. Chorus: 23. The Lord gave the word - London Symphony Chorus, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis
22. 50. Air: If God be for us - Heather Harper, Helen Watts, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis
23. 51. Chorus: Worthy is the Lamb... Amen - London Symphony Chorus, London Symphony Orchestra, Colin Davis

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Yes, Yes, Yes!
This is more like it. I bought the Harry Christopher/Sixteen version and was left unmoved by it. This however, was sublime - fantastic soloists, an orchestra and chorus that sounded as if they meant it, a wonderful range of emotion beautifully realised. To me this is what a performance of the Messiah should sound like. The other reviewers got this one spot-on. I can only 'rejoice greatly' for such a recording.

vigorously dramatic, and a typical recording, but not clear
In the same way that Naxos' New College Oxford recording of "Messiah" is an example of the English Cathedral tradition, this recording is a great sample of the choral society tradition. Although the recording includes some huge names from the world of classical music, I was not over-enthralled by the recording as a whole. The age of the recording (1966) is made obvious in the quality of sound, and the entire ensemble is too big to hear the words properly, and of course this is reflected in the acoustic. The presentation is acceptable, but there are few programme notes and no copy of the text. However, what this recording does have is drama and vigour in abundance.

Both the choir and orchestra sing well and accurately enough, and the soloists are OK too - it is probably Helen Watts who gives the best performance on this disc, especially in the aria "But who may abide", when the rich sonorities of her voice are fully demonstrated.

In many ways whichever Messiah recording one buys rests on what one is looking for. If you would like to hear a performance in the true choral society tradition - like one might hear every year in Huddersfield - then look no further, as this is the finest recording in that tradition. But if you would prefer a recording in the Cathedral tradition, look for Naxos' New College Oxford recording - a superbly accurate and precise recording with the Academy of Ancient Music, outstanding soloists, perfect acoustic, and a truly authentic Baroque performance (note, however, that this recording varies slightly from the score we know so well, as it is the composer's 1751 edition, although I found it to be even more enjoyable!)

To correct previous reviews
This recording was made in 1966, so is all the more remarkable, considering the plethera of recordings to date. John Wakefield is an unsual choice, with a suitable heroic ring to the voice. John Shirley-Quirk, as ever, brilliant, with Helen Watts a smooth and sonorous Contralto. The final soloist, Heather Harper is fresh and brilliant of sound. The whole direction by Sir Colin Davis, with the LSO is captivating. Do not miss this chance to own.

The best recording to date
Don't be put off by the fact that the original recording was made in the 1980s. It's been re-engineered and is simply top notch! This is by far the best recording I've ever come across. The fact that it's on a Phillips label doesn't hurt either. The orchestra (LSO)is just right--not too heavy, not too light, and the interpretations are superb. Can't go wrong with the label, the orchestra, or the composer.

Golden oldie
This is a CD version of an 80's recording which is so good I've stuck with it rather than going for a newer one. The LSO chorus are excellent, light-footed and accurate; Colin Davis takes them through some of the numbers at high speed but they make it sound easy (it isn't, as anyone who's sung Messiah will know). Helen Watts is a beautiful and moving alto soloist and John Shirley-Quirk is also outstanding.

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