Messiah

Bartlett's line on performance practice is sensible and non-didactic . . . The result is an edition that's clean and unfussy, refreshingly uncluttered by superfluous grace-notes or odd-looking demi-semiquaver ornaments . . . Bartlett's edition, however, makes it perfectly possible to reconstruct the 1742 Dublin, 1743 London, or 1750 revised Messiah, according to taste, which should afford music directors hours of innocent fun. * The Singer December 98 *
The players loved the parts - clear and clean, and I loved the edition; almost everyone in the Hall (the sell-out audience of 1200+ and all the performers) had a marvellous evening . . . Please convey my congratulations to [Clifford Bartlett] and the setters and printers, and yourselves, of course, as publishers, for doing everyone such a great favour in producing this wonderful new edition - it's the one for me!! * Colin Touchin (Director of Music, University of Warwick) *
In the succinct comentary to the full score, there is a useful guidance over rhythmic conventions and a heartening open-mindedness about the validity of a wide variety of interpretations . . . The printing and layout are examplary, and the vocal score is very competitive in price. The full score is exceptional value and is extremely practical. * Martin Neary, Early Music Review Dec 98 *
Indeed the OUP version is notable for its economy. It is clear, uncluttered and as near as possible to what Handel wrote . . . All users will find the Introduction to the vocal score interesting. The choral conductor will find additional information and helpful, practical guidance in the full score . . . Mention of orchestral parts brings me to an important characteristic of the whole of this edition - clarity, and a feeling of spaciousness. Players welcome this, and for the orchestral librarian of the Northern Sinfonia, the orchestra in the Huddersfield launch the parts are the clearest he has worked with in 35 years experience . . . This is undoubtedly a quality production. If a choir is contemplating a new set of Messiah (and the scores and parts are readily compatiible with other editions) this one must be at the top of the short list. * Howard Layfield, Mastersinger Spring 99 *
What is impressive is the breadth of information that is presented in user-friendly terms . . . This is certainly an extremely helpful and practical edition which will serve as a very useful resource for performer and scholar alike. * Early Music May 99 *
This new edition of Handel's Messiah . . . scores high marks for the care taken to present what Bartlett describes as a 'standard version of the work'. . . The practical advantages of the full score derive mainly from the clarity of its typography, the economy of sides occupied by what elsewhere often involves a succession of irritating page turns, and a sense that the whole enterprise has been coaxed through the press with maximum care. Likewise, the vocal score is uncluttered and easy to use. * Early Music Today Aug 99 *