Stephen Cleobury has opted for the 'mature'score, embracing four soloists (soprano, contralto, tenor and bass) as Handel revived it in 1752 and he has a strong line-up of soloists. John Ma rk Ainsley sings with remarkable spiritedness throughout, exhibiting an accomplishment and beauty of articulation ... Hilary Summers takes a little to settle but her soft-grained and controlled renderings of"O thou that tellest" and, in particular, " He was despised" show a younger singer of considerable sensitivity. Of the other two soloists, Lynne Dawson is frequently a delight: "Rejoice greatly" is both agile and well-gauged whilst "He shall feed his flock" is even more imploring. Alastair Miles demonstrates his wonderfully resonant voice with a performance of some gravitas (Gramophone)

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rec. 1994