Handel's Messiah - Sir Andrew Davis New Concert Edition

Oxford Harmonic Choir

Oxford Harmonic Choir has a long tradition of performing Messiah and in its hundred and first year has chosen an unusual version: Sir Andrew Davis’s colourfully re-orchestrated new concert edition.  In his own words, ‘My aim was to keep Handel’s notes, harmonies, and style intact but to make use of all the colours available from the modern symphony orchestra in order to underline the mood and meaning of individual movements. … Everything I have done instrumentally stems from the enormous respect, even awe, which I feel towards this supreme masterpiece.  If any of my ideas should help to illuminate any part of it, I shall be happy.’