Handel: Messiah cover
Released

Eliot Gardiner’s Messiah states its revisionist position from the get-go: in the opening movement, the orchestra plays its opening chords without any melodrama, and the singer delivers the opening phrase on the beat and matter-of-fact: “Comfort ye.” This Messiah has places to go and be, and the best of those are the fast movements, where Gardiner’s brisk tempos and lean textures make for a propulsive Messiah that will have listeners on to their next holiday appointment in 2 hours and 17 minutes.

Sean Wood

Suggestions
Jascha Heifetz plays Beethoven (Sonatas & Concerto) cover

Jascha Heifetz plays Beethoven (Sonatas & Concerto)

Ludwig van Beethoven, Jascha Heifetz
Julia Wolfe: Fire in My Mouth cover

Julia Wolfe: Fire in My Mouth

Jaap van Zweden, New York Philharmonic
Rising w/the Crossing cover

Rising w/the Crossing

The Crossing, Donald Nally
David Lang: The Little Match Girl Passion cover

David Lang: The Little Match Girl Passion

Ars Nova Copenhagen, Paul Hillier, Theatre of Voices
Aleotti: Le Monache di San Vito cover

Aleotti: Le Monache di San Vito

Candace Smith, Cappella Artemisia
Lassus: Chansons cover

Lassus: Chansons

Dominique Visse, Ensemble Clément Janequin
Adès: Asyla cover

Adès: Asyla

Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, Simon Rattle