Handel: Messiah (Concert Review - Early Music Review, 2004)

One of the most popular of London's annual Christmas concerts is the Stephen Layton/Polyphony Messiah at John's Smith Square (23 December). Layton doesn't pussyfoot around when it comes to works like this - a tough and forthright interpreter, he imparts an enormous power and muscular energy to the music. Polyphony were on their usual top form, with a particularly good showing from the altos. David Wilson Johnson was an outstanding bass, approaching the podium like a coiled spring before leaping into his various declamatory roles - his subtle use of varied rhythmical groupings at the end of 'The trumpet shall sound', for example, was a delight. Emma Kirkby was on very good vocal form - one of the best performances I have heard from her in quite a while. Robin Blaze and James Gilchrist bough a very human perspective to the unfolding story, the alto aria 'He shall feed his flock' being notable. The opening tenor recitative demonstrated an expansive quality that set the mood for the whole work - the repeated 'comfort ye' included one of the longest single notes I have heard!