Unlimited Streaming
Listen to this album in high quality now on our apps
Start my trial period and start listening to this albumEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
SubscribeEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
Digital Download
Purchase and download this album in a wide variety of formats depending on your needs.
Upon noticing this performance of George Frederick Handel's Messiah is sung in German, one might suppose that this is the version translated by Baron Gottfried van Swieten and arranged by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, but such is not the case; the translation is actually by Georg Gottfried Gervinus, a nineteenth century literary historian, and the music is essentially Handel's original orchestration, albeit presented here in modern instrumentation. The oratorio is delivered with virtually no concessions to period practice, except for the use of a harpsichord continuo, and the rather ponderous tempos, heavy textures, relative paucity of ornamentation, and weighty expressions that Helmut Koch and the Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra bring to Messiah mark it as a mainstream interpretation of the mid-twentieth century and a little behind the times for a recording made in 1973. Certainly, advances in Handel scholarship had led to brisker and lighter readings by that time, but it appears that East German musicians lagged in adopting authentic performance techniques and using Baroque instruments, so Koch's well-intended but fairly stodgy rendition is equivalent to the way performances sounded in the west about 20 years earlier. Even so, this recording offers straightforward vocals, a rich choral sound, and reasonably clean playing in the strings, yet the number of players seems high and yields a rather lush tone. Berlin Classics' reproduction is a little dull, as if the analog recording had lost some upper partials in the process of eliminating tape hiss, but it is satisfactory for most listeners' needs.
© TiVo
You are currently listening to samples.
Listen to over 100 million songs with an unlimited streaming plan.
Listen to this playlist and more than 100 million songs with our unlimited streaming plans.
From $17.49/month
Helmut Koch, Conductor - Peter Schreier, tenor - Theo Adam, bass - Berlin Radio Chorus, Choir - Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra - Heidi Riess, alto - Helmut Koch, Conductor - Berlin Radio Soloists, Choir
Helmut Koch, Conductor - Peter Schreier, tenor - Theo Adam, bass - Berlin Radio Chorus, Choir - Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra - Heidi Riess, alto - Helmut Koch, Conductor - Berlin Radio Soloists, Choir
Helmut Koch, Conductor - Peter Schreier, tenor - Theo Adam, bass - Berlin Radio Chorus, Choir - Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra - Heidi Riess, alto - Helmut Koch, Conductor - Berlin Radio Soloists, Choir
Helmut Koch, Conductor - Peter Schreier, tenor - Theo Adam, bass - Berlin Radio Chorus, Choir - Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra - Heidi Riess, alto - Helmut Koch, Conductor - Berlin Radio Soloists, Choir
Helmut Koch, Conductor - Peter Schreier, tenor - Theo Adam, bass - Berlin Radio Chorus, Choir - Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra - Heidi Riess, alto - Helmut Koch, Conductor - Berlin Radio Soloists, Choir
Helmut Koch, Conductor - Peter Schreier, tenor - Theo Adam, bass - Berlin Radio Chorus, Choir - Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra - Heidi Riess, alto - Helmut Koch, Conductor - Berlin Radio Soloists, Choir
Helmut Koch, Conductor - Peter Schreier, tenor - Theo Adam, bass - Berlin Radio Chorus, Choir - Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra - Heidi Riess, alto - Helmut Koch, Conductor - Berlin Radio Soloists, Choir
Helmut Koch, Conductor - Peter Schreier, tenor - Theo Adam, bass - Berlin Radio Chorus, Choir - Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra - Heidi Riess, alto - Helmut Koch, Conductor - Berlin Radio Soloists, Choir
Helmut Koch, Conductor - Peter Schreier, tenor - Theo Adam, bass - Berlin Radio Chorus, Choir - Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra - Heidi Riess, alto - Helmut Koch, Conductor - Berlin Radio Soloists, Choir
Helmut Koch, Conductor - Peter Schreier, tenor - Theo Adam, bass - Berlin Radio Chorus, Choir - Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra - Heidi Riess, alto - Helmut Koch, Conductor - Berlin Radio Soloists, Choir
Helmut Koch, Conductor - Peter Schreier, tenor - Theo Adam, bass - Berlin Radio Chorus, Choir - Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra - Heidi Riess, alto - Helmut Koch, Conductor - Berlin Radio Soloists, Choir
Helmut Koch, Conductor - Peter Schreier, tenor - Theo Adam, bass - Berlin Radio Chorus, Choir - Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra - Heidi Riess, alto - Helmut Koch, Conductor - Berlin Radio Soloists, Choir
Helmut Koch, Conductor - Peter Schreier, tenor - Theo Adam, bass - Berlin Radio Chorus, Choir - Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra - Heidi Riess, alto - Helmut Koch, Conductor - Berlin Radio Soloists, Choir
Helmut Koch, Conductor - Peter Schreier, tenor - Theo Adam, bass - Berlin Radio Chorus, Choir - Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra - Heidi Riess, alto - Helmut Koch, Conductor - Berlin Radio Soloists, Choir
Helmut Koch, Conductor - Peter Schreier, tenor - Theo Adam, bass - Berlin Radio Chorus, Choir - Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra - Heidi Riess, alto - Helmut Koch, Conductor - Berlin Radio Soloists, Choir
Helmut Koch, Conductor - Peter Schreier, tenor - Theo Adam, bass - Berlin Radio Chorus, Choir - Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra - Heidi Riess, alto - Helmut Koch, Conductor - Berlin Radio Soloists, Choir
Helmut Koch, Conductor - Peter Schreier, tenor - Theo Adam, bass - Berlin Radio Chorus, Choir - Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra - Heidi Riess, alto - Helmut Koch, Conductor - Berlin Radio Soloists, Choir
Helmut Koch, Conductor - Peter Schreier, tenor - Theo Adam, bass - Berlin Radio Chorus, Choir - Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra - Heidi Riess, alto - Helmut Koch, Conductor - Berlin Radio Soloists, Choir
Helmut Koch, Conductor - Peter Schreier, tenor - Theo Adam, bass - Berlin Radio Chorus, Choir - Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra - Heidi Riess, alto - Helmut Koch, Conductor - Berlin Radio Soloists, Choir
Helmut Koch, Conductor - Peter Schreier, tenor - Theo Adam, bass - Berlin Radio Chorus, Choir - Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra - Heidi Riess, alto - Helmut Koch, Conductor - Berlin Radio Soloists, Choir
Helmut Koch, Conductor - Peter Schreier, tenor - Theo Adam, bass - Berlin Radio Chorus, Choir - Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra - Heidi Riess, alto - Helmut Koch, Conductor - Berlin Radio Soloists, Choir
Helmut Koch, Conductor - Peter Schreier, tenor - Theo Adam, bass - Berlin Radio Chorus, Choir - Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra - Heidi Riess, alto - Helmut Koch, Conductor - Berlin Radio Soloists, Choir
Helmut Koch, Conductor - Peter Schreier, tenor - Theo Adam, bass - Berlin Radio Chorus, Choir - Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra - Heidi Riess, alto - Helmut Koch, Conductor - Berlin Radio Soloists, Choir
DISC 2
Helmut Koch, Conductor - Peter Schreier, tenor - Theo Adam, bass - Berlin Radio Chorus, Choir - Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra - Heidi Riess, alto - Helmut Koch, Conductor - Berlin Radio Soloists, Choir
Helmut Koch, Conductor - Peter Schreier, tenor - Theo Adam, bass - Berlin Radio Chorus, Choir - Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra - Heidi Riess, alto - Helmut Koch, Conductor - Berlin Radio Soloists, Choir
Helmut Koch, Conductor - Peter Schreier, tenor - Theo Adam, bass - Berlin Radio Chorus, Choir - Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra - Heidi Riess, alto - Helmut Koch, Conductor - Berlin Radio Soloists, Choir
Helmut Koch, Conductor - Peter Schreier, tenor - Theo Adam, bass - Berlin Radio Chorus, Choir - Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra - Heidi Riess, alto - Helmut Koch, Conductor - Berlin Radio Soloists, Choir
Helmut Koch, Conductor - Peter Schreier, tenor - Theo Adam, bass - Berlin Radio Chorus, Choir - Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra - Heidi Riess, alto - Helmut Koch, Conductor - Berlin Radio Soloists, Choir
Helmut Koch, Conductor - Peter Schreier, tenor - Theo Adam, bass - Berlin Radio Chorus, Choir - Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra - Heidi Riess, alto - Helmut Koch, Conductor - Berlin Radio Soloists, Choir
Helmut Koch, Conductor - Peter Schreier, tenor - Theo Adam, bass - Berlin Radio Chorus, Choir - Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra - Heidi Riess, alto - Helmut Koch, Conductor - Berlin Radio Soloists, Choir
Helmut Koch, Conductor - Peter Schreier, tenor - Theo Adam, bass - Berlin Radio Chorus, Choir - Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra - Heidi Riess, alto - Helmut Koch, Conductor - Berlin Radio Soloists, Choir
Helmut Koch, Conductor - Peter Schreier, tenor - Theo Adam, bass - Berlin Radio Chorus, Choir - Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra - Heidi Riess, alto - Helmut Koch, Conductor - Berlin Radio Soloists, Choir
Helmut Koch, Conductor - Peter Schreier, tenor - Theo Adam, bass - Berlin Radio Chorus, Choir - Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra - Heidi Riess, alto - Helmut Koch, Conductor - Berlin Radio Soloists, Choir
Helmut Koch, Conductor - Peter Schreier, tenor - Theo Adam, bass - Berlin Radio Chorus, Choir - Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra - Heidi Riess, alto - Helmut Koch, Conductor - Berlin Radio Soloists, Choir
Helmut Koch, Conductor - Peter Schreier, tenor - Theo Adam, bass - Berlin Radio Chorus, Choir - Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra - Heidi Riess, alto - Helmut Koch, Conductor - Berlin Radio Soloists, Choir
Helmut Koch, Conductor - Peter Schreier, tenor - Theo Adam, bass - Berlin Radio Chorus, Choir - Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra - Heidi Riess, alto - Helmut Koch, Conductor - Berlin Radio Soloists, Choir
Helmut Koch, Conductor - Peter Schreier, tenor - Theo Adam, bass - Berlin Radio Chorus, Choir - Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra - Heidi Riess, alto - Helmut Koch, Conductor - Berlin Radio Soloists, Choir
Helmut Koch, Conductor - Peter Schreier, tenor - Theo Adam, bass - Berlin Radio Chorus, Choir - Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra - Heidi Riess, alto - Helmut Koch, Conductor - Berlin Radio Soloists, Choir
Helmut Koch, Conductor - Peter Schreier, tenor - Theo Adam, bass - Berlin Radio Chorus, Choir - Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra - Heidi Riess, alto - Helmut Koch, Conductor - Berlin Radio Soloists, Choir
Helmut Koch, Conductor - Peter Schreier, tenor - Theo Adam, bass - Berlin Radio Chorus, Choir - Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra - Heidi Riess, alto - Helmut Koch, Conductor - Berlin Radio Soloists, Choir
Helmut Koch, Conductor - Peter Schreier, tenor - Theo Adam, bass - Berlin Radio Chorus, Choir - Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra - Heidi Riess, alto - Helmut Koch, Conductor - Berlin Radio Soloists, Choir
Helmut Koch, Conductor - Peter Schreier, tenor - Theo Adam, bass - Berlin Radio Chorus, Choir - Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra - Heidi Riess, alto - Helmut Koch, Conductor - Berlin Radio Soloists, Choir
Helmut Koch, Conductor - Peter Schreier, tenor - Theo Adam, bass - Berlin Radio Chorus, Choir - Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra - Heidi Riess, alto - Helmut Koch, Conductor - Berlin Radio Soloists, Choir
Helmut Koch, Conductor - Peter Schreier, tenor - Theo Adam, bass - Berlin Radio Chorus, Choir - Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra - Heidi Riess, alto - Helmut Koch, Conductor - Berlin Radio Soloists, Choir
Helmut Koch, Conductor - Peter Schreier, tenor - Theo Adam, bass - Berlin Radio Chorus, Choir - Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra - Heidi Riess, alto - Helmut Koch, Conductor - Berlin Radio Soloists, Choir
Helmut Koch, Conductor - Peter Schreier, tenor - Theo Adam, bass - Berlin Radio Chorus, Choir - Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra - Heidi Riess, alto - Helmut Koch, Conductor - Berlin Radio Soloists, Choir
Helmut Koch, Conductor - Peter Schreier, tenor - Theo Adam, bass - Berlin Radio Chorus, Choir - Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra - Heidi Riess, alto - Helmut Koch, Conductor - Berlin Radio Soloists, Choir
Helmut Koch, Conductor - Peter Schreier, tenor - Theo Adam, bass - Berlin Radio Chorus, Choir - Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra - Heidi Riess, alto - Helmut Koch, Conductor - Berlin Radio Soloists, Choir
Helmut Koch, Conductor - Peter Schreier, tenor - Theo Adam, bass - Berlin Radio Chorus, Choir - Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra - Heidi Riess, alto - Helmut Koch, Conductor - Berlin Radio Soloists, Choir
Helmut Koch, Conductor - Peter Schreier, tenor - Theo Adam, bass - Berlin Radio Chorus, Choir - Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra - Heidi Riess, alto - Helmut Koch, Conductor - Berlin Radio Soloists, Choir
Album review
Upon noticing this performance of George Frederick Handel's Messiah is sung in German, one might suppose that this is the version translated by Baron Gottfried van Swieten and arranged by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, but such is not the case; the translation is actually by Georg Gottfried Gervinus, a nineteenth century literary historian, and the music is essentially Handel's original orchestration, albeit presented here in modern instrumentation. The oratorio is delivered with virtually no concessions to period practice, except for the use of a harpsichord continuo, and the rather ponderous tempos, heavy textures, relative paucity of ornamentation, and weighty expressions that Helmut Koch and the Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra bring to Messiah mark it as a mainstream interpretation of the mid-twentieth century and a little behind the times for a recording made in 1973. Certainly, advances in Handel scholarship had led to brisker and lighter readings by that time, but it appears that East German musicians lagged in adopting authentic performance techniques and using Baroque instruments, so Koch's well-intended but fairly stodgy rendition is equivalent to the way performances sounded in the west about 20 years earlier. Even so, this recording offers straightforward vocals, a rich choral sound, and reasonably clean playing in the strings, yet the number of players seems high and yields a rather lush tone. Berlin Classics' reproduction is a little dull, as if the analog recording had lost some upper partials in the process of eliminating tape hiss, but it is satisfactory for most listeners' needs.
© TiVo
About the album
- 2 disc(s) - 53 track(s)
- Total length: 02:29:26
- Main artist: Helmut Koch
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: Berlin Classics
- Genre: Classical
Why buy on Qobuz...
-
Stream or download your music
Buy an album or an individual track. Or listen to our entire catalogue with our high-quality unlimited streaming subscriptions.
-
Zero DRM
The downloaded files belong to you, without any usage limit. You can download them as many times as you like.
-
Choose the format best suited for you
Download your purchases in a wide variety of formats (FLAC, ALAC, WAV, AIFF...) depending on your needs.
-
Listen to your purchases on our apps
Download the Qobuz apps for smartphones, tablets and computers, and listen to your purchases wherever you go.