Highlights From Handel's Messiah
Midori Suzuki, soprano
Yoshikazu Mera, alto
John Elwes, tenor
David Thomas, bass
Bach Collegium Japan, directed by Masaaki Suzuki

Masaaki Suzuki has made an enviable reputation with his Bach Cantata recordings, among others.  This performance of excerpts from Messiah are clear, clean, and beautiful.  Absolute perfection.  Period instruments.

Messiah, part the First
And without controversy (narrator)
Symphony
Comfort ye my people (tenor)
Ev´ry valley shall be exalted (tenor)
And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed (chorus)
Behold, a virgin shall conceive (alto)
O Thou that tellest good tidings to Zion (alto, chorus)
For unto us a child is born (chorus)
And suddenly there was with the angel (soprano)
Glory to God in the highest (chorus)
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion (soprano)

Messiah, part the Second
Behold the Lamb of God (chorus)
He was despised and rejected of men (alto)
Surely, He hath borne our griefs (chorus)
And with His stripes we are healed (chorus)
All we like sheep have gone astray (chorus)
Hallelujah! (chorus)

Messiah, part the Third
I know that my Redeemer liveth (soprano)
Since by man came death (chorus)
Behold, I tell you a mystery (bass)
The trumpet shall sound (bass)
Worthy is the Lamb that was slain (chorus)