HOLIDAY MUSIC REVIEW : ‘Young Messiah’ Provides an Inspirational Evening

Fans of Christian music couldn’t have wished for better than Friday night’s “Young Messiah” at the Anaheim Arena. The fourth of the seasonal Messiah tours, this year’s included all the 1993 Dove Award winners and rivaled major rock concerts in terms of attendance and big arena presentation.

The first half of the sold-out performance here was devoted to a far-ranging selection of carols and hymns. Without exception, the individual singers were impressive, fully justifying their bristling lists of awards (which include 18 Grammys, 11 gold albums and 98 No. 1 Christian radio singles).

Perhaps the best-known of the performers, Sandy Patti, was a diva without comparison. Her passionate version of “Oh Holy Night” was the showpiece of the first half. But there were other high points, as well. BeBe and CeCe Winans found gospel revelations in “The First Noel,” and Michael English’s “Oh Come, Oh Come Emmanuel” provided a contemporary slant on a traditional theme. First Call, a vocal trio, produced a gorgeous set of Manhattan Transfer-like harmonies for “Oh Little Town of Bethlehem,” and Twila Paris’s sweet voice was the perfect vehicle for “I Saw Three Ships.”

Nor was there any lack of humor. Carman’s new lyrics for “Jingle Bells” were both whimsical and strikingly to the point and the vocal quartet 4 HIM’s “Deck the Halls” medley explored the tune hilariously via the styles of the Beach Boys, the Bee Gees and others. The program also called for the house lights to be turned on as performers and audience shared in the singing of several familiar carols.

“Young Messiah,” a ‘90s rendering of the classic Christmas oratorio, dominated the second part of the evening. How would Handel have reacted to this dramatic revamping of his well-known themes? Probably with resounding enthusiasm. The spirit, the intent and, in most cases, the musical integrity of his work were respected totally.

In several cases, the “Young Messiah” interpretations brought fascinating new perspective to the originals. First Call’s brilliant harmonization of “Rejoice Greatly” was one illuminating example. An ecstatic reading of “Surely He Has Borne Our Grief” by Larnelle Harris, Steven Curtis Chapman and English was another--comparable to the original in intensity and purpose. Wayne Watson’s “Comfort Ye,” Steve Green’s “I Know That My Redeemer Liveth” and Patti’s “And the Glory of the Lord” were similarly moving, fully realized creative variations.

The closing “Hallelujah” chorus has survived a multiplicity of interpretations in the 252 years since it was written. The “Young Messiah” version shifted the rhythms around a bit while retaining the soaring energies of the original. It was an appropriate, contemporary-tinged, highflying climax to a gracious, loving treatment of one of the great works of Christian music.

Ralph Carmichael conducted the 40-piece orchestra for “Young Messiah,” which was created and produced by Norman Miller. The 12-city tour concluded Saturday night in Colorado.