Dave Lampson reports >The latest entries in National Recording Registry at the Library >of Congress ... > >There's spoken word and rare jazz performances, as well as a few classical >recordings I thought some list members might find interesting: > >"Messiah," Eugene Ormandy, conductor; Richard Condie, choir >director; Mormon Tabernacle Choir; Philadelphia Orchestra (1958) One of the worst Messiahs ever recorded. The MTC sings their usual rhythmic slush. A choir that size has no business with the fleet and flexible numbers like "And He shall purify" and "His yoke is easy," which depend on rhythmic precision and a light grace to make their effect. At least at that time, the MTC was known for a massive sound, almost no sense of rhythm, and a rock-'em sock-'em approach phrasing and dynamics. HOW (or even why) did anybody consider this a contender? I can think of many better recordings by Ormandy and many better, and in the long run more significant, American recordings of Messiah. Steve Schwartz