The Mormon Tabernacle Choir: Hallelujah!

Excellent Christmas Concert. We have all but the first concert with Gladys Knight and each year, the Orchestra at Temple Square keeps getting better and better. The sound is magnificent and having some serious artists (last year with the Sesame Street Muppets was a lot of fun, but silly and more entertaining for the kids) was great. Extras include backstage comments by the artists.Previous years presented some magnificent stage work in terms of superb "live" effects, but this year, it was more refined. The story of Handel and writing Messiah was a treat and very well done, celebrating the story of the Christ, not only the Christmas elements, but the risen Lord, as well. The concert has a few selections from the famous oratorio, but it also contains a nice mix of more traditional Christmas music.The sound is superb. Some have complained that they want to see these concerts on Blu-Ray, but that is a waste, since nothing much is to be gained with the higher resolution. Certainly, the sound doesn't suffer with the DVD recording and on good system, is very well done. If you think it is subpar, you need to listen to typical classical DVDs. Most have horrid sound, but here, the Salt Lake engineers shine through and considering the size of the hall (seats 21,000), the size of the choir (360 voices) and the size of the orchestra (over 100) and the logistics of where they are located in respect to each other, the sound is very clear and crisp, something not common for live performances.I mentioned that the orchestra keeps improving. The first few years left a lot to be desired in terms of orchestra quality, but with Mac Wilburg's increased involvement as Music Director, he has fine-tuned both Orchestra and Choir to heights seldom achieved with any professional group. What is even more amazing is that most of the staff, including orchestra and choir are volunteers and do not get paid for their service.

Special guests include Broadway singer Laura Osnes, British actor Martin Jarvis, and four performers from the Metropolitan Opera join the choir and orchestra for the Christmas season. Martin Jarvis shares the tale of George Fredrich Handel and his greatest work, The Messiah.

Another stellar Christmas concert by the choir, although this year it seemed like the set decorations were toned down from previous years and the "processional" sequence wasn't quite as exciting with less dancing as I recall from previous years. The overall tone of the concert seemed more restrained and less jubilant, but maybe this was because of the subject matter. Personally, I have always considered Handle's Messiah to be more associated with Easter but maybe that's just me. All in all, though, the concert was still worth having; however, it's too bad the decision was made a year or two ago to avoid releasing these concerts on BluRay.

It was my privilege to attend this concert last Christmas in the Conference Center. Watching it again brought back all of the wonder, joy, and awe I felt that night as I shared this memorable experience with my sister.Some Highlights:The “Processional: Of the Father’s Love Begotten” with the Choir, Orchestra, Metropolitan Opera soloists, and dancers is like being transported to heaven. It is ethereal, spiritual, and magical.“The Secret of Christmas” beautifully and movingly sung by Laura Osnes. This song begins with just simple piano accompaniment. It is a perfect showcase for Laura’s gorgeous voice.Richard Elliott’s organ solos are always a high point of the concert. This year he gives yet another clever, virtuoso performance based on the song, “Joy to the World,” but with many ingenious embellishments.The dramatic presentation, “For Unto Us—The Wondrous Invitation of Handel’s Messiah” is enlightening and emotional. The masterfully written script cleverly weaves the story of how the oratorio benefited debtors and orphans with songs from Handel’s Messiah. Narrated with style and compassion by Martin Jarvis, it features the Choir, Orchestra, Metropolitan Opera soloists, and actors. It is truly magnificent!I must give a special tribute to Mack Wilberg, the musical genius behind the Mormon Tabernacle Choir organization and many of the beautiful arrangements of choral music the Choir and Orchestra perform. This concert and the brilliant new recording of Handel’s Messiah by the Choir and Orchestra released in March 2016, was truly a labor of love. Thank you!This is a heavenly and glorious Christmas concert that you will not soon forget. Highly recommended.

I have been sad the last few years that the Mormon Tabernacle Christmas concerts are no longer available on blu-ray. They are such high quality concerts and recorded so well, both the audio and the visual. Then they make us watch it on a standard definition DVD. Here we go! High definition video. Christmas came early. I got my wish. Thank you so very much.

MoTab produces a DVD and CD every year of their magical Christmas concert. This is one of their best (from 2015). It features a narrated and musical accompanied story of Handel's composing of his Oratorio "Messiah." This will be one of my yearly favorites.

I very much enjoy listening to this cd. Many lovely songs and the story of Handel was interesting, informative, and fun to watch I love listening to the choir and the orchestra and also the hand bells. The soloist was beyond compare. :)

What else can I say? The MoTab is always superb. This one is extra special because it narrates & dramatises the trials Handel passed in writing the Messiah.

We first saw the show on TV and so enjoyed the wonderful acting and history of Handel's life and the writing of the messiah that we bought the DVD for us and also one for a friend. The choir was fabulous too. A must buy if you like Handel's messiah.

Este producto me ha gustado por la calidad de sus solistas, del coro y de los músico. Lo descubrí navegando por Internet y más concretamente por youtube. Lo único que siento es que no tengáis disponible para el público más DVD de este magnífico coro.Atentamente Carmen

Mormon Tabernacle Choir, an exceptional precision with clear musicality. Impressive

Glorious sound and picture quality

grande qualité