The Dunedin Consort's Dublin version of Messiah was Linn's fastest selling album of 2006 and was described in many publications as the top choice Messiah for 2006. The recording was given four stars by The Times, The Guardian and BBC Music Magazine, chosen as 'Album of the Day' on AllMusic.com and selected in The Scotsman's 'Top Ten classical music moments of 2006'.
This sought-after recording was also nominated in the 2007 Gramophone Awards.
What makes this Messiah so special is that it is the first recording to seriously explore the version and performing forces that Handel used for his legendary Dublin premiere. This unique recording signifies an exciting and historically considered representation of Messiah, which recaptures something of the freshness of the first public performances.
"The freshest, most natural, revelatory and transparently joyful Messiah I have heard for a very long time." Gramophone
Top Ten classical music moment of 2006: "If I had to make a choice between recordings, my money would go on Dunedin's Messiah." The Scotsman
"Youth, freshness, joy: these are the chief characteristics of this intimate new Messiah from the talented Dunedin Consort." (four stars) The Times
"Butt has an authoritative bass in Matthew Brook, and a superb contralto (one of three) in Clare Wilkinson." (four stars) The Guardian
"The Dunedin artists are stylish, fresh sounding in their choral singing and often more intimate than other versions in their manner of communication." Performance (four stars) / Sound (four stars) BBC Music Magazine
"Here's a reconstruction of the premiere in Dublin - and it's very welcome. Nothing but praise." Classic FM Magazine
Album of the Day: "One of the most compelling and engaging Messiahs on disc." Allmusic.com
"In some ways the most interesting [new Messiah recording] is the Linn recording. The playing of the Dunedin Players under John Butt is admirably crisp, and the singing of the Consort disciplined and clear in enunciation." Sunday Telegraph