Facing Israel Kamakawiwo'ole

Mackerras's recording probably introduced a whole new generation to the once familiar magnificence of Israel in Egypt, and in the normal run of gramophone history it would enjoyed a kinder fate than to be superseded within five years by the Christ Church, Oxford recording under Simon Preston (Argo ZRG817/8, 4/76). That in turn has had to face competition from a similarly intense virtuoso performance under John Eliot Gardiner (Erato STU71245, 1/80). Compared with these, Mackerras's version is milder, less sharply etched in detail, less dramatic in impact. Even so, it is firmly directed, with fine orchestral playing and spirited choral work. It may well appeal afresh to listeners who feel they have had just a bit too much of conductors who burn so bright that their individuality tends to focus attention upon the performance rather than the work. The work itself, of course, has its own fire. Despite borrowings from Stradella and others, the inspiration is white-hot, and in the Plague choruses of Part 1 and ''The people shall hear'', in Part 2, Mackerras's forces rise worthily to the occasion.

– Gramophone

This project is based on Israel in Egypt, one of the best-known and most popular oratorios by Georg Friedrich Handel, and has been created on the basis of the common history and roots of three religions; Islam, Christianity and Judaism. Musicians from the (Western) European Baroque tradition (Baroque orchestra and choir), and hence from a Christian background, are joined by musicians from Jewish and Muslim backgrounds. The basic musical form of Handel’s oratorio and its narrative structure remains untouched, for the most parts.

Like so many artists today, John Eliot Gardiner has recorded his work more than once, and as also so often happens, the remake isn't as good as the original. Not only did Gardiner's first version include a more interesting coupling (the Funeral Anthem for Queen Caroline, which Handel later adapted to become part one of Israel in Egypt), but it had a much better lineup of soloists. Here he suffers from a surfeit of strangulated British countertenors–one of the more frightening breeds of musical animal that has sprung up as a result of the authentic instrument movement, never mind that Handel almost never wrote for one. Enough said–if you want Gardiner in this music, then get him on Erato. –David Hurwitz

Herbie Hancock - Hear, O Israel: A Prayer Ceremony In Jazz (1968) {Jonny Records JBH025CD rel 2008}
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Jazz / Post Bop / Modal Music / Soul Jazz / Modern Creative

In 1965, encouraged by his rabbi, the 17-year-old Jonathan Klein wrote a selection of jazz themes for a Jewish Sabbath concert. Originally recorded in 1968 by an all-star cast of musicians that included Herbie Hancock, Thad Jones, and Ron Carter, the collection is a unique, free-flowing series of pieces that perfectly complement the accompanying Jewish Sabbath prayers, and provides a rare opportunity to hear these talented musicians performing in a unique setting that's at once creative and intensely devotional.

John Eliot Gardiner and his period instrument ensemble produce a lovely, smooth sound in these very well played performances, which use Handel's versions for strings and winds. Balances are fine; playing and recording collaborate to produce a treasurable clarity in which every line registers. –Leslie Gerber … Handel's epic oratorio, Israel in Egypt, here in a gripping performance by John Eliot Gardiner and the Monteverdi Choir and Orchestra, was a failure during Handel's lifetime. This was perhaps because of its immense variety of compositional techniques and forms.

George Philipp Telemann was a composer whose creative powers continued undiminished through his old age of eighty six years. The last decade of his life witnessed an astonishing creative surge, perhaps comparable only to that of Verdi. It was then that the eighty-year-old, with all the benefits of mature mastery at his command, penned some of his most beautiful vocal works. The oratorio "The Delivered Israel" is a work from this period.

Gardiner secures subtler playing from his period instruments…conveying more clearly the emotional and dramatic thrust…first rate soloists have been chosen from the chorus, and the digital recording of full and well balanced…

Thanks to a roster including Cocteau Twins and Pixies, UK imprint 4AD has maintained its status as a force in independent music for more than 30 years. Author Martin Aston talks about his exhaustive new history of the label.

The Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra is celebrating its 70th Anniversary with this grand collection of its most memorable recordings. In this large collection, the magnificent history of the Israeli Philharmonic is revealed in its full glory. The recordings include artists like Leonard Bernstein, Zubin Mehta, Arthur Rubinstein, Itzhak Perlman, Daniel Barenboim, Isaac Stern and many more.

The Israel Philharmonic Orchestra 70th anniversary essential collection is a must have!