Handel's Messiah, written in 1741, in only three and half weeks, is one of the most popular choral works ever to be performed. The three-part oratorio was written by the librettist Charles Jennens, who blended the texts from the Old and New Testaments to chart the journey of Christ's birth: "For unto us a Child is born…" to his Ascension: "I know that my Redeemer liveth" and final Redemption. The Hallelujah chorus, that most people are familiar with, is performed every year in various venues throughout the country at Christmas time.
Stephen Layton was guest conductor at this performance with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra. An eclectic conductor, he has worked extensively with singers and is very familiar with the musical nuances attached to this emotional composition which fluctuates from rousing choral passages to the sublime. And certainly the singing in the performance was at times sublime.
The voices of the four British soloists were excellent - the tenor Allan Clayton; the bass Matthew Rose; the mezzo soprano Christine Rice and the soprano Sophie Bevan. Their voices fluctuated superbly, with wonderful richness of tone, in the complex recitative passages.
The SCO choir also gave a marvellous performance. All the weeks of rehearsal, under the guidance of Chorus Master, Gregory Batsleer, were more than worthwhile. The voices were perfectly balanced in the choral passages, which is quite a feat considering the vast emotional range the Messiah encompasses.
And the work also affords an opportunity for individual members of the orchestra to display their talent. Ruth Crouch the leader on first violin; Su-a-Lee on cello and Peter Franks on trumpet, whose playing was flawless in the rousing Air: "The trumpet shall sound..."
Event: 25 November, 7.30pm
Related event Edinburgh Royal Choral Union perform Handel's Messiah, 3rd January 2011.