Handel's Messiah

Reviewed by Paula Citron

Handel’s Messiah
Toronto Symphony Orchestra
Conducted and arranged by Sir Andrew Davis
With Andriana Chuchman, soprano, Jill Grove, mezzo-soprano, Toby Spence, tenor, John Relyea, bass-baritone, Andrew McCandless, trumpet and the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir
Roy Thomson Hall
Dec. 16 to 21, 2010

To say that Sir Andrew Davis’ new arrangement of Handel’s Messiah for the Toronto Symphony Orchestra is eccentric is an understatement.

Davis’ mandate was to create a Messiah for a 21st century large orchestra, so he is far afield from early music practice. Not only is the soundscape larger, but this arrangement is heavy on percussion – gongs, cymbals, marimba, celeste, and even sleigh bells, not to mention a blast of horns for the Baa of sheep.

Soprano Andriana Chuchman, tenor Toby Spence and bass-baritone John Relyea are superb. Mezzo-soprano Jill Grove sounds like Verdi’s Azucena or Ulrica – perhaps a little too heavy for Handel. Both the TSO and the Mendelssohn Choir are totally disciplined for Sir Andrew.

The maestro has thoughtfully provided detailed notes in the program explaining his motivation behind the orchestration. In other words, this is not a paint-by-numbers Messiah, or even one on cruise control. Attention must be paid.

Messiah continues at Roy Thomson Hall until Dec. 21.