Handel: The Choice of Hercules

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Throughout his life Handel was an inveterate recycler both of other people's music and his own; The Choice of Hercules (1751) consists for the most part of music he wrote the year before for Tobias Smollett's Alceste, a play intended for Covent Garden's 1750 season but never performed. Unwilling to see his efforts go to waste, Handel contrived an hour-long "interlude" based on a poem by Joseph Spence and probably adapted by his regular librettist Thomas Morell. The story is a slight slice of classical mythology: Hercules must choose between the temptations of Pleasure or the righteousness of Virtue. The outcome is hardly a surprise, and only in 18th-century theater could Hercules plausibly be portrayed as a castrato, but the story is merely a flimsy excuse for a succession of splendid solo arias and choruses.

With the exception of a small tenor part (here sung by Charles Daniels), the soloists are all in the high register (soprano, mezzo, and countertenor), yet their music is of such variety of color that there's no sense of sameness. The very compactness of the score ensures that there are no dull moments, but especially outstanding are Virtue's stately "Go, assert thy heav'nly race," a dotted-rhythm Purcellian chorus, "So shalt thou gain immortal praise," and Hercules's limpid "Yet can I hear that dulcet lay."

Maurice Greene's 1728 anthem Hearken unto Me, Ye Holy Children is a welcome makeweight, though inevitably perhaps it seems rather foursquare when placed next to Handel's exuberant invention. Robert King and his King's Consort are Handelians par excellence, of course. Susan Gritton, Alice Coote, and Robin Blaze are a secure trio of soloists in the Handel, and bass Peter Harvey joins for the Greene. The result is an important addition to Hyperion's marvelous Handel series. --Mark Walker

Tracks:

Brandenbutg Concerto No.3 In G First Movement
Overture No.3 In D Second Movement
Violin Concerto In E First Movement
Prelude In C minor
Jesu Bleibet Meine Freude (Chorus From Cantata No.147)
Overture No.2 In B minor Minuet And Badinerie
Oboe Concerto In D minor Second Movement
Brandenburg Concerto No.4 In G Third Movement
Musical Offering - Fuga canonica
Easter Oratorio - Overture
Minuet In D minor
Kommst Du Nun, Jesu, Vom Himmel herunter(From Choral Prelude BWV 650
Brandenburg Concerto No.1 In F Second Movement
Art Of The Fugue - Contrapunctus 9
Concerto For Flute, Violin, Harpsichord And Strings. Triple Concerto - Third Movement
Overture No.4 In D - Réjouissance
Concerto No. 1 in E: Spring
Concerto No. 1 in E: Spring
Concerto No. 1 in E: Spring
Concerto No. 2 in G minor: Summer
Concerto No. 2 in G minor: Summer
Concerto No. 2 in G minor: Summer
Concerto No. 3 in F: Autumn
Concerto No. 3 in F: Autumn
Concerto No. 3 in F: Autumn
Concerto No. 4 in F minor: Winter
Concerto No. 4 in F minor: Winter
Concerto No. 4 in F minor: Winter
Concerto for Flute, Strings & Basso Continuo in G minor, Op. 10, no.2
Concerto for Flute, Strings & Basso Continuo in G minor, Op. 10, no.2
Concerto for Flute, Strings & Basso Continuo in G minor, Op. 10, no.2
Concerto for Flute, Strings & Basso Continuo in G minor, Op. 10, no.2
Concerto for Flute, Strings & Basso Continuo in G minor, Op. 10, no.2
Concerto for Flute, Strings & Basso Continuo in G minor, Op. 10, no.2
Concerto Grosso in A minor, Op. 3, no. 8
Concerto Grosso in A minor, Op. 3, no. 8
Concerto Grosso in A minor, Op. 3, no. 8
Water Music - Alla Hornpipe
Xerxes - Ombra Mai Fu (Largo)
Messiah - And The Glory Of The Lord
Concerto Grosso In A Minor, Op. 6, No. 4 - Larghetto Affettuoso
Organ Concerto In F, Op. 4, No. 4 Allegro
Water Music - Air
Messiah - For Unto Us A Child Is Born
Concerto Grosso In B flat, Op. 3, No. 2 - Largo
Salomon - Sinfonia, Act 3
The Choice Of Hercules - While For Thy Arms
Water Music - Allegro (Suite No. 1)
Suite No. 5 In E - Air With Variations
Jephtha - How Dark, O Lord
Organ Concerto In F, Op. 4, No. 5 Alla Siciliana - Presto
Mi Palpita Il Cor (Solo Cantata) S'un Di M'adora
Water Music - Andante Allegro Da Capo
Concerto for Trumpet & Orchestra in E-flat: First Movement
Symphony No. 94 in G: Surprise Symphony-second movement
Concerto for Violin No. 2 in D: Third Movement
Flute Trio No. 31 in G: Second Movement
Symphony No. 31 in D: Hornsignal-First Movement
String Quartet No. 17 in F, Op. 3, no. 5: Serenade Quartet-Second Movement
Sinfonia Concertante in B-flat for Violin, Cello, Oboe, Bassoon and Orchestra-Third Movement
Concerto for 2 Horns & Orchestra in E-flat: Second Movement
Symphony No. 88 in G: Fourth Movement
String Quartet No. 77 in C: Kaiser Quartet-Poco adagio cantabile
Notturno No. 1 in C: Second Movement
Symphony No. 98 in B: Londoner No. 4-Fourth Movement
Eine Kleine Nachtmusik - first movement
Piano Concerto in A - second movement
Flute Concerto in D - Rondeau
Serenade - Minuet
Violin Concerto - first movement
Symphony No. 40 in G minor - first movement
Clarinet Concerto - second movement
Turkish March
Divertimento - Minuet
Horn Concerto No. 3 in E-flat - first movement
Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67-First Movement
Piano Sonata No. 14 in C sharp minor, Op. 27, no. 2: Moonlight Sonata-First Movement
Overture
O welche Lust (Prisoners' Chorus)
Ha, welch ein Augenblick (Pizarros's Aria)
Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 3 in C minor, Op. 37: Second Movement
Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in D, Op. 61: Third Movement
Piano Sonata No. 8 in C minor, Op. 13: Pathétique-Second Movement
Sympony No. 6 in F, Op. 68: Pastorale-First Movement
Fantasy for Piano, Chorus and Orchestra in C minor, Op. 80: Choral Fantasy - Finale
German Dance No. 1 In C
Impromptu Op. 90, No. 3 In G-Flat
Heidenroslein
Ave Maria
Der Lindenbaum
Quintet In A 'Trout Quintet' - Andante
Mass No. 6 In E-Flat - Kyrie
Die Schone Mullerin Des Mullers Blumen
German Dance No. 2 In G
Piano Sonata In B-Flat
Nachtgesang Im Walde
Winterreise - No. 15: Die Krahe
German Mass - Zum Sanctus (Heilit, Heilig Ist Der Herr)
Symphony No. 8 In B Minor 'Unfinished' - Second Movement
Waltz No. 1 in E-flat, Op. 18 Grande Valse brillante
Nocturne in E-flat, Op. 9, no. 2
Etude in G-flat, Op. 10, no. 5
Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 2 in F minor, Op. 21-Second Movement
Mazurka in D minor, Op. 33, no. 2
Prelude in D-flat, Op. 28, no. 15 Raindrop
Etude in C, Op. 10, no. 1
Nocturne in D-flat, Op. 27, no. 2
Impromptu No. 4 in C-sharp minor, Op. 66 Fantasy Impromptu
Scherzo in B minor, Op. 20
Piano Sonata No. 2 in B-flat minor, Op. 35-Third Movement
Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 1 in E minor, Op. 11 - Third Movement
Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat minor - first movement 113.String Seranade - Waltz
Violin Concerto - second movement
The Sleeping Beauty - Waltz
Capriccio Italien, Op. 45
Swan Lake - Waltz
Eugene Onegin - Polonaise
The Nutcracker - Waltz of the Flowers
Orchestral Suite No. 4 - Mozartiana - Third Movement
Swan Lake - Dance of the Swans
Symphony No. 6 in B minor - Pathétique - Third Movement
Hungarian Dance No.5
Lullaby
Symphony No.1 in C minor, Op. 68 - Third Movement
Intermezzo in E-flat, Op.117, no. 1
Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in D, Op. 77 - Third Movement
Waltz, Op. 39, no. 15
Concert for Piano and Orchestra No. 2 in B-flat, Op. 83 - Second Movement
String Quintet in G, Op. 111 - Second Movement
Symphony No.4 in E minor, Op. 98 - Third Movement
Intermezzo in A minor, Op. 76, no. 7
Hungarian Dance No.1 in G minor
German Requiem Selig sind die Toten (Final Chorus)
Die Fledermaus - Overture
Kaiser Waltz, Op.437
Thunder And Lightning Polka, Op. 324
Roses From The South Waltz, Op. 388
AnnenPolka, Op. 117
Vienna Blood Waltz, Op. 354
Eljen A Magyar Polka, Op. 332
Wine, Women and Song Waltz, Op. 333
On The Beautiful Blue Danube Waltz, Op. 134
Die Meistersinger Von Nurnberg - Overture
Tannhauser - Die Pilger sind's (Pilgims' Chorus)
Tannhauser - O du mein holder Abendstern (Wolfram's Aria)
Lohengrin - Act 3 Prelude and Bridal Chorus
The Flying Dutchman - Jo-ho-he Traft ihr das Schiff (Senta's Ballad)
The Flying Dutchman - Steuermann, lass die Wacht (Sailors' Chorus)
Die Walkure - Wintersturme wichen dem Wonnemond (Siegmund's Aria)
Die Walkure - Ride of the Valkyries
Siegfried Hoho! Hoho! Hohei! Schmiede mein Hammer (Siegfried's Forging Song)
Tristan und Isolde - Liebestod
Thus sprach Zarathustra, Op. 30 (excerpt)
Don Juan, Op. 20
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64, I.Nacht
Don Quixote, Op.35, first movement: Introduction
Salome, Op. 54, Dance Of The Seven Veils
Der Rosenkavalier, Op. 59, Finale: Hab' mir's gelobt ihn lieb zu haben
Piano Concerto 2 In C minor, Op. 18 - First Movement
Vocalise, Op.34, No. 14
Prelude In G Sharp minor, Op. 32, No. 12
Piano Concerto No. 4 In G minor, Op. 40 - Third Movement
Symphony No. 2 In E minor, Op. 27 - Third Movement
Piano Concerto No. 1 In F sharp minor, Op. 1 - Second Movement
Rhapsody, Op. 43 On A Theme By Paganini
Hungarian Rhapsody No.2
Liebestraum No.3 in A-flat
Piano Concerto No.1 in E-flat - third movement
Angelus
Mephisto Waltz No.1 (Dance in a Village Tavern)
Prelude and Fugue on B-A-C-H
Dante Symphony - Finale. - Purgatorio - Magnificat
Les Préludes
Boléro
Daphnis et Chloé first movement: Nocturne
Rhapsodie Espagnole
Shéhérazade - first movement: Asie
Ma Mère l'Oye - fourth movement: La Belle et la Bête
Introduction and Allegro for Harp, Flute, Clarinet, and String Quartet
La Valse
Slavic Dance No. 1 in C, Op. 46, no.1
Symphony No. 9 in E minor, Op. 95 'From the New World' - second movement
Humoresque, Op. 101
Slavic Dance No. 8 in G minor, Op. 46, no. 8
Serenade for String Orchestra, Op. 22 - second movement
Romance for Violin and Orchestra In F minor, Op. 11
Symphony No. 7 in D minor - third movement
Melodie (Songs My Mother Taught Me)
Carneval Overture, Op. 92
Concerto for Cello and Orchestra in B minor, Op. 104 - third movement
Symphony No.4 In A, Op. 90. Italian - First Movement
Frühlingslied In A, Op. 62, No. 6
Wedding March (From A Midsummer Night's Dream, Op.61)
Duetto In F, Op.30, No.6 (From Songs Without Words)
String Symphony No.9 In C. Schweitzer Symphony - Third Movement
Concerto For Violin, Piano And String Orchestra No. 1 In D minor - Second Movement
Symphony No.3 In A minor, Op.56 Scottish - Third Movement"
Notturno (From A Midsumment Night's Dream, Op. 61)
Rondo Capriccioso, Op.14
String Symphony No. 12 In G minor - First Movement
Venetian Gondola Song In F Sharp minor, Op.30, No.6
Scherzo (From A Midsumment Night's Dream, Op. 61)
Violin Concerto In E minor, Op.64 - Third Movement
Peer Gynt - Suite No. 1, Op. 46 - Morgenstimmung
Holberg Suite, Op. 40 - I. Prelude. Allegro vivace
Holberg Suite, Op. 40 - IV. Air. Andante religioso
Arietta, Op. 12, no. 1
Homage March from Sigurd Jorsalfar, Op. 56
Peer Gynt - Suite No. 2, Op. 55 - Solveig's Song
Wedding Day at Troldhauen, Op. 65, no. 6
The Last Spring, Op. 34, no. 2
Peer Gynt - Suite No. 1, Op 46 - Anitra's Dance
Nordic Melody Op. 63
Notturno, Op. 54, no. 4
Elegie, Op. 47, no. 5
Peer Gynt - Suite No. 2, Op. 55 - Arabic Dance
Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 16 - Allegro
Symphony No. 3 in E flat, Op. 97 - Rhenish - first movement
Traumerai (from Kinderszenen, Op. 15)
Mondnacht (from Eichendorff-Liederkreis, Op. 39)
Aufschwung (from Fantasietucke, Op. 12)
Triolett, Op. 114, no. 2
Tanzlied (No. 1 from Duets, Op. 78)
Symphony No. 4 in D minor, Op. 120 - second movement
Frühlingsgruss
Abschied (from Waldszenen Op. 82)
Dichterliebe, Op. 48 - Im wunderschonen Monat Mai
Manfred Overture, Op. 115
Romance in F sharp, Op. 28, no. 2
Die Rose stand im Tau
Liebesgarten (from Four Duets, Op. 34)
Warum? (from Fantasiestucke, Op. 12)
Kennst du das Land, Op.79, no. 29 (from Lieder der Mignon, Op. 98a)
Von fremden Landern und Menschen (from Kinderszenen, Op. 15)

Album Description

An extraordinary 20-CD collection of great works by Bach, Vivaldi, Handel, Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Chopin, Tchaikovsky, Brahms, Ravel, Mendelssohn, Rachmaninoff, J. Strauss, R. Strauss, Schumann, Wagner, Dvorak, Grieg and Liszt. It also features worldrenowned artists such as Sir Neville Marriner, Martha Argerich, Ivo Pogorelich, Hermann Prey, Reiner Goldberg, Sylvia Sass, Jochen Kowalski, Peter Schreler and many more. This exquisite, copper metallic, deluxe boxed set is the perfect gift for the classical music neophyte.

Customer Reviews:

Mill. Classical review.......2007-05-13

This is a great set of recordings for the money, the only problem was I've had to clean some of the CD's before they played correctly.

classical music for the unitiated.......2007-04-01

This set is a good way to start listening to classical music. It's very well produced and easy to listen to. I purchased it to use as part of my world history high school class. It would have been nice to have some bio information on the composers. However, the product is exactly as advertised and good value for the money. The students were intrigued by how many of the excerpts they had heard before.

Some little gems there that I had forgotten!.......2007-03-30

Although I studied classical music at school, I had all but forgotten it until I bought this set. I heard several tracks I haven't heard for over 30 years, and I had been humming Brahms's 'Hungarian Dance no. 5' for years without ever knowing what it was and it was on the disc, so that was nice.

I found it to be a very good selection overall, but I felt too much had already been heard on TV, which of course is what lots of newcomers to classical music might appreciate. I managed to find about 2 hours of tracks that I wanted to keep, which works out quite expensive per disc, but I did find some wonderful music I had completely forgotten about, so it was worth it. All in all, it represents good value, and I have only knocked one star off as so much of it had been used in adverts.

It is definitely a good introduction to classical music, and it has made me want to listen to more of it, so I don't regret this 'expensive' purchase one bit!

Classical Masterpieces of the Millennium [20 CD Set]

A very helpful collection.......2007-03-24

I define this set as an excellent way to find out who you like, and who you don't, among 20 of the important composers. It opens the door to purchasing more complete pieces by composers you do like, and can save a lot of time and money in the process.
To criticize the set for not containing more composers, or more than just snippets of those who are in the set, is missing the point: it is a helpful introduction to finding your way in the huge maze of classical music. It succeeds admirably in this.
Sound quality is uniformly very good on an audiophile system.
Highly recommended.

Excellent!.......2007-03-08

A great way to start a classical music collection. It's nice to have a full CD of each composer. It makes it easy to keep track of selections/composers I already have and what composers I still need to puchase to complete my collection.

Average customer rating:

Robert King deserves to be famous in America, too
Bargain-priced first-class overview

Essential Handel

Manufacturer: Hyperion UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Anthems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Cantatas | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Choruses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Classical | Imports | Stores | Music

$6.99 and Under | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music

All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music

Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music
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The Very Best of Victoria de los Angeles

ASIN: B000A7XJQA
Release Date: 2005-10-11

Customer Reviews:

Robert King deserves to be famous in America, too.......2006-07-23

Robert King and his King's Consort have made dozens of recordings, establishing themselves in London as a pre-eminent Baroque group. They benefit greatly from King's unflagging energy and musical insight. Twenty years ago you couldn't say that the period movement had attracted the best musicians and conductors. That situation has changed radically, and this sampler CD from King's complete recordings exhibits first-class playing throughout. Baroque singing is at a high level, too, but you couldn't say that his singers are of Met or Royal Opera House quality--even so, they are very good.

As an indicator of the strides that period performance has made, this is an eye-opening CD, but it's also engaging for the general listener, like me, who only dips into Handel's many, many operas and oratorios occasionally.

Bargain-priced first-class overview.......2006-05-01

This is a great CD for beginners, but also for those who already have a few Handel CDs. So often samplers have all the favourites which you already have on other CDs. But this set has a few well-known tracks, such as Zadok the Priest, See the Conqu'ring Hero Comes and La Rejouissance from The Fireworks, but mostly wonderful music, superbly played which is not extremely well known.

Highly recommended.

Average customer rating:

A Great British collection
If you like Baroque music, buy it; it is excellent

Rule Britannia

Manufacturer: Nimbus Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Odes | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Psalms | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Te Deum | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
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Rule Britannia and Other Music from Last Night of the Proms
Royal Salute
Music from the coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
Marches-1/British
Regimental Marches of British Army, Vol. 1

ASIN: B00004W3JI
Release Date: 2000-10-17

Tracks:

The Island Princess: Tpt Aire/Sym Of Flatt Trumpits
'Mr. Handel's Water Piece': Ste in D: I. Ov
'Mr. Handel's Water Piece': Ste in D: II. Gigue (Allegro)
'Mr. Handel's Water Piece': Ste in D: III. Aire (Menuetto)
'Mr. Handel's Water Piece': Ste in D: IV. March I (Bouree) - March II
The Choice Of Hercules: I. Ov (Largo-Allegro)
The Choice Of Hercules: II. March
Europe Revells In Ye Peace: Sym
'Ste De Clairque' (Tpt Voluntary Ste): I. Prld: The Duke Of Gloster's March; Minuet & Sybelle...
'Ste De Clairque' (Tpt Voluntary Ste): II. Ser & Ecossaise
'Ste De Clairque' (Tpt Voluntary Ste): III. Bourre & Hornpipe
'Ste De Clairque' (Tpt Voluntary Ste): IV. Gigue
'Ste De Clairque' (Tpt Voluntary Ste): V. Rondeau: The Prince Of Denmark's March (Tpt Voluntary)
The Fairy Queen: Sym To Act IV: I. Intro - Canzona
The Fairy Queen: Sym To Act IV: II. Adagio
The Fairy Queen: Sym To Act IV: III. Battle (Allegro) - Pastoral - Battle
The Indian Queen: Tpt Ov To Act II
Son in E, Op.3 No.5: I. Allegro
Son in E, Op.3 No.5: II. Largo
Son in E, Op.3 No.5: III. Giga: Allegro
Atalanta: Ov: I. Adagio - Allegro
Atalanta: Ov: II. Andante
The Judgment Of Paris: Recitative: Awake, Awake, Thy Spirits Raise; Aire: Hark, Hark, The Glorius...
Birthday Song For Queen Mary: Come Ye Sons Of Art (Ov & Chor): I. Sym (Largo - Allegro)
Birthday Song For Queen Mary: Come Ye Sons Of Art (Ov & Chor): II. Adagio
Birthday Song For Queen Mary: Come Ye Sons Of Art (Ov & Chor): III. Ritornello - Chor
Funeral Music For Queen Mary: I. March
Funeral Music For Queen Mary: II. Canzona
Funeral Music For Queen Mary: III. March (Reprise)
Alfred: 'Rule Britannia'

Tracks:

Pomp And Circumstance Military: March No.1 in D, Op.39 - English Str Orch/William Boughton
Pomp And Circumstance Military: March No.2 in a, Op.39 - English Str Orch/William Boughton
Pomp And Circumstance Military: March No.3 in c, Op.39 - English Str Orch/William Boughton
Pomp And Circumstance Military: March No.4 in G, Op.39 - English Str Orch/William Boughton
Pomp And Circumstance Military: March No.5 in C, Op.39 - English Str Orch/William Boughton
The Pirates Of Penzance: Ov - SCO/Alexander Faris
HMS Pinafore - Ov - SCO/Alexander Faris
Ste: The Planets, Op.32: Jupiter, The Bringer Of Jollity - Philharmonia Orch/William Boughton
Te Deum - Christ Church Cathedral Chor, Oxford/Stephen Darlington
Vars On An Original Theme, Enigma, Op.36: IX. Nimrod - English SO/William Boughton
The Old Hundredth Psalm Tune - Christ Church Cathedral Chor, Oxford/Stephen Darlington

Customer Reviews:

A Great British collection.......2005-10-05

This CD features several particular composers who have written pieces of music that are quintessentially British: Jeremiah Clarke, George Frideric Handel, John Stanley, John Eccles, Henry Purcell, William Corbett, Edward Elgar, Arthur Sullivan, Ralph Vaughan Williams, Gustav Holst and Thomas Arne. The pieces here are triumphant, celebrating that particular period of Empire when the British ruled vastly such that the sun never set upon it - one of the key elements of such triumphant music-making, particularly for the time, was the use of brass and trumpet. Some of the later composers included here draw on inspirations from these earlier times.

One of the featured performers on this collection is John Wallace, who was principal trumpet of the Philharmonia Orchestra since the 1970s; he founded the brass ensemble, the Wallace Collection, ten years later in 1986. In 2002, he became principal of the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow, Scotland, and the Wallace Collection gave their last performance shortly thereafter. However, the Wallace Collection lives on in performances on CD such as this one, performed with William Boughton and the English String Orchestra. Other tracks are performed by Scottish Chamber Orchestra conducted by Alexander Faris and the English String Orchestra conducted by Stephen Darlington.

Pieces here are very familiar to anyone with an interested in British national composition -- pieces such as the Water Music by Handel are very famous, as are Holst's 'Planets' and Sullivan's (of Gilbert & Sullivan) 'Pinafore'; other pieces, such as Clarke's 'Trumpet Voluntary', are similarly famous even if their composers did not achieve the 'brand recognition' that Handel did. All of the composers here came from the period spanning the late 1600s to the late 1700s, when music was as often written for music halls and public performances as it was for royal events and commissions.

The performances here are uniformly upbeat and well played, with little by way of blemish save the occasional drop and surge in levels (as often becomes the case when recording music with sharp brass elements).

One can envision theatres full of people waving Union Jacks while this plays, and many of the pieces have a quality about them that speaks directly to the time and place of Britain.

If you like Baroque music, buy it; it is excellent.......2005-06-29

If you like Baroque music, buy this 2 CD's BOX SET; it is excellent. Clarke, Handel, Purcell, Corbet and so on are very well played. The orchestration is very good, the quality of recording is excellent. Remember that Baroque music uses mainly a single trumpet, few other brass instruments, some woodwinds and very few drums. It is very easy, elegant and pleasant to listen. When I got married in 2003, I have chosen only Baroque music for the ceremony and the banquet because Baroque music is so lovely, so delicate and so sweet. Even if you have never heard or you think that you have never heard Baroque music, buy this CD; I tell you, you will not regret your choice because it is really an excellent CD. You have my words.

James Bowman ~ Handel English Arias / The King's Consort · King

Average customer rating:

a voice teacher and early music fan
a must for Handel devotees

James Bowman ~ Handel English Arias / The King's Consort · King
George Frideric Handel , Robert King , The King's Consort , James Bowman , and Susan Gritton
Manufacturer: Hyperion UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Scandinavian Languages | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B000002ZW7
Release Date: 1995-10-17

Tracks:

The Choice Of Hercules: Yet Can I Hear That Dulcet Lay
Esther: How Can I Stay, When Love Invites
Saul: O Fairest Of Ten Thousand Fair
Belshazzar: Great God! Who, Yet But Darkly Known
Theodora: The Raptur'd Soul
Judas Maccabaeus: Father Of Heav'n
Overture To Ester: Andante, Larghetto, Allegro
Saul: O Lord, Whose Mercies Numberless
Solomon: What Though I Trace Each Herb
Belshazzar: Martial Symphony And Destructive War
Solomon: Welcome As tThe Dawn Of Day
Theodora: Kind Heaven, If Virtue Be Thy Care
Solomon: Almighty Pow'r
Haman and Mordecai: Tune Your Harps

Customer Reviews:

a voice teacher and early music fan.......2007-02-04

Of George Frederick Handel(1685-1759) of England, born Georg Friedrich Handel of Germany, an English critic wrote, "He did bestride our musical world like a Colossus." The English passion for the oratorio is largely due to Handel, who was forced to find a new style of music with which to rekindle the interest of the public. For twenty years he had been presenting operas in London, but the last seasons had been increasingly unsuccessful as audiences took against attending staged works in Italian. The prior success of 'Esther' had launched 'oratorio' in London, and set Handel on a compositional path which was to prove his principal sphere of work for the rest of his life.
Handel's oratorios, more dramatic than any previously written, were like operas,save that they were given without scenery and costumes. Moreover, the variety of moods, the quality of the melodies and the composer's unique use of the colours of the orchestra makes the whole work marvellously attractive.
This disc contains an excellent variety of tunes from the various oratorios. Most are vocal in nature, but there are 2 that are strictly instrumental: Overture to 'Esther' in 3 movements and 'Martial Symphony and Destructive Was' from 'Solomon'. I particularly enjoyed the 2 duets with Susan Gritton (soprano) and James Bowman (countertenor): 'O fairest of 10,000 Fair' from 'Saul' and 'Welcome as the dawn of day' from 'Solomon'.
James Bowman does his usual correct interpretation of all the selections. His diction is not always clear due to his somewhat 'loud' and 'muffled' tone quality. BUT having said this, I must say that he is considered by most to be one of the great singers from the UK. I just simply prefer a more refined and clear 'delivery' such as Michael Chance renders. But we all have our own preferences and that's good for the world of music appreciation. Susan Gritton's voice is clear and her diction is excellent; and Robert King with the King's Consort give their usual fine accompaniment.
Just aside for those of you who enjoy the oratorio; there are 4 excellent 'live' performances on CD from the Maulbronn Monastery conducted by Jurgen Budday with superb singing, both soloistically and chorally. They are recorded by K&K Verlagsanstalt and are available on amazon.com

a must for Handel devotees.......2000-01-13

This CD contains some of the most beautiful music from Handel's oratorios and is performed here with style, warmth, brilliance, and authenticity. The sound quality of this recording is very warm and bright (good combination)!

Tracks:

Erbarme dich - Bach
'Handel English Arias': Almighty Power - Handel
'Complete Odes And Welcome Songs' Volume 8: Britain, Thou Now Art Great - Purcell
'Handel English Arias': Yet Can I Hear That Dulcet Lay - Handel
'Awake Sweet Love': Anon - Come Tread The Paths - James Bowman
'Handel Italian Duets': Crudeltontananza - Handel
'Countertenor Duets And Solos By Purcell And Blow': O Solitude, My Sweet Choice - Purcell
'Bach Cantatas For Solo Alto': Stirb in mir - Bach
'Handel Deborah': Impious Mortal - Handel
'Purcell Complete Odes And Welcome Songs' Volume 1: By Beauteous Softness Mixed - Purcell
'Schutz Christmas Story And Gabrieli Christmas Motets': O Magnum Mysterium - Gabrieli
'Handel English Arias': Tune Your Harps - Handel
'Awake Sweet Love': Since First I Saw Your Face - James Bowman
'Handel English Arias': Welcome As The Dawn Of Day - Handel
'Mr. Henry Purcell's Most Admirable Composures': An Evening Hymn - Purcell
'Handel The Occasional Oratorio': Thou Shalt Bring Them In - Handel
'Couperin Trois Lecons de Tenebres': Jerusalem, convertere - Couperin
'Handel Heroic Arias': Or la tromba - Handel
'Purcell Complete Secular Solo Songs' Volume 1: On The Brow Of Richmnd Hill - Purcell
'Handel Music For Ceremonial Occasions': Handell - Eternal Source Of Light - James Bowman
'Purcell Complete Anthems And Services' Volume 2: Vouchsafe, O Lord, To Keep Us This Day - Purcell

Customer Reviews:

James Bowman forever.......2000-06-29

An article title about James Bowman said "A singer in high places" - and it's so true.

James Bowman is a great singer, and one of my favourite performers. One can listen to his CDs over and over again, without tiring.

He feels at home in both English songs and other languages. This CD is a "summary" of some other collection CDs of him.

ýIN SHORT: Good buy for lovers of vocal music, or the baroque and classical. If you don't know his singing, you're missing a lot, and this CD is a great start.

Choice of Hercules
Average customer rating:

a voice teacher and early music fan

Choice of Hercules
Handel , Gritton , Blaze , King , and King's Consort
Manufacturer: Hyperion UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
General | Classical | Styles | Music
Classical | Imports | Stores | Music
Opera & Vocal | Imports | Stores | Music
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Handel - Alexander Balus / Denley, George, C. Daniels, Dawson, McFadden, The King's Consort

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Handel - Deborah / Y. Kenny · Gritton · Denley · Bowman · M. George · The King's Consort · King

ASIN: B000063TSJ
Release Date: 2002-05-14

Amazon.com

Throughout his life Handel was an inveterate recycler both of other people's music and his own; The Choice of Hercules (1751) consists for the most part of music he wrote the year before for Tobias Smollett's Alceste, a play intended for Covent Garden's 1750 season but never performed. Unwilling to see his efforts go to waste, Handel contrived an hour-long "interlude" based on a poem by Joseph Spence and probably adapted by his regular librettist Thomas Morell. The story is a slight slice of classical mythology: Hercules must choose between the temptations of Pleasure or the righteousness of Virtue. The outcome is hardly a surprise, and only in 18th-century theater could Hercules plausibly be portrayed as a castrato, but the story is merely a flimsy excuse for a succession of splendid solo arias and choruses.

Maurice Greene's 1728 anthem Hearken unto Me, Ye Holy Children is a welcome makeweight, though inevitably perhaps it seems rather foursquare when placed next to Handel's exuberant invention. Robert King and his King's Consort are Handelians par excellence, of course. Susan Gritton, Alice Coote, and Robin Blaze are a secure trio of soloists in the Handel, and bass Peter Harvey joins for the Greene. The result is an important addition to Hyperion's marvelous Handel series. --Mark Walker

Customer Reviews:

a voice teacher and early music fan.......2006-01-22

"The Choice of Hercules"is in effect a one-act dramatic cantata in English, and as such it is unique in Handel's output. It is the story of a young man on the threshold of manhood (Hercules-Robin Blaze-countertenor) contemplating his future. Two women appear to him. One, eager and seductive, shows him a path that offers indolent pleasure (Pleasure-Susan Gritton-soprano). The second woman, tall and beautiful, is identified as Virtue(Alice Coote-mezzo soprano); she warns Hercules that what is really good can only be obtained through hard work. There is also an attendant on Pleasure who is a cheerleader for her. Charles Daniels sings this role. I especially liked Mezzo Alice Coote's interpretaion of Virtue. She was very strong dramatically and vocally. However, all of the singers sang well in their respective roles. I always find it difficult to accept Blaze's characterizations. In this cantata he is choosing his future path. Will it be Pleasure or Virtue? He sings it as if he were choosing the flavor of an ice cream cone instead of temporary life or immortality. His voice his "pretty" and I do find it pleasing, but I think he sings sacred music much better as he demonstrates on this disc. It includes Maurice Greene's "Hearken Unto Me, Ye Children". It features the 3 male singers and it is EXCELLENT!

Average customer rating:

The World of the Castrati

Manufacturer: Capriccio
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Cantatas | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Masses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000001WS7
Release Date: 1996-10-29

Tracks:

Rinaldo: Aria: 'Or la tromba in suon festante'
Orfeo ed Euridice: Aria: 'Che faro senza Euridice?'
La Conversione di Sant' Agostino: Aria: 'Sento orror del tuo delitto'
L'Incoronazione di Poppea: Duetto: 'Pur ti miror, pur ti godo'
Cleofide: Aria: 'Vedrai con tuo periglio'
Cleofide: Duetto: 'Se mai piu saro geloso'
Missa Brevis: Aria: 'Domine Jesu'
Die Tageszeiten: Aria: 'Lass mich die susse Wollust fuhlen'
The Choice Of Hercules: Aria: 'Lead, Goddess, Lead The Way'
Xerxes: Largo
Cleofide: Aria: 'Se ver che t'accendi'
Meines Bleibens ist nicht hier: Ritornello: 'Ich wandre fort nach meiner Ruh'
Der Streit zwischen Phoebus und Pan: Arie: 'Aufgeblasne Hitze'
La Conversione di Sant' Agostino: Aria: 'Il rimorso opprime il seno'
Mass In B minor: Aria: 'Agnus Dei'

Handel: Saul; Alexander's Feast; The Choice of Hercules

Average customer rating:

OUTSTANDING AT ITS BEST
Alexander's Feast is the opening gate to modern music

Handel: Saul; Alexander's Feast; The Choice of Hercules

Manufacturer: Angel Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
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Music of Peter Lieberson: Rilke Songs, The Six Realms, Horn Concerto

ASIN: B00007KI22
Release Date: 2003-05-06

Tracks:

Sinfonia: Allegro - Larghetto - Allegro - Andante Larghetto - Martyn Hill
Chorus: How Excellent Thy Name, Oh Lord - Martyn Hill
Aria: An Infant Rais'd By Thy Command Soprano - Martyn Hill
Chorus: Along The Monster Atheist Strode - Martyn Hill
Chorus: The Youth Inspir'd By Thee, Oh Lord - Martyn Hill
Chorus: Hallelujah - Martyn Hill
Recitativo: He Comes, He Comes! Michal - Martyn Hill
Aria: Oh God-Like Youth! Michal - Martyn Hill
Recitativo: Behold, Oh King Abner/Saul/David - Martyn Hill
Aria: Oh King, You Favours With Delight David - Martyn Hill
Recitativo: Oh Early Piety! Jonathan - Martyn Hill
Aria: What Abject Thoughts A Prince Can Have! Merab - Martyn Hill
Recitativo: Yet Think, Oh Whom This Honour You Bestow Merab - Martyn Hill
Aria: Birth And Fortune I Despise! Jonathan - Martyn Hill
Recitativo: Thou, Merab, First In Birth Saul/Merab - Martyn Hill
Aria: My Soul Rejects The Thought With Scorn Merab - Martyn Hill
Aria: See, See With What A Scornful Air Michal - Martyn Hill
Ah! Lovely Youth Michal - Martyn Hill
Sinfonia: Andante - Allegro - Martyn Hill
Recitativo: Already See The Daughters Of The Land Michal - Martyn Hill
Chorus: Welcome, Welcome, Mighty King! - Martyn Hill
Accompagnato: What Do I Hear? Saul - Martyn Hill
Chorus: David His Ten Thousands Slew - Martyn Hill
Accompagnato: To Him Ten Thousands Saul - Martyn Hill
Aria: With Rage I Shall Burst Saul - Martyn Hill
Recitativo: Imprudent Women! Jonathan/Michal - Martyn Hill
Aria: Fell Rage And Black Despair Possess'd Michal - Martyn Hill
Recitativo: Rack'd With Infernal Pains Abner - Martyn Hill
Aria: Oh Lord, Whose Mercies Numberless David - Martyn Hill
Sinfonia (Harp Solo) - Martyn Hill
Recitativo: 'Tis All In Vain Jonathan - Martyn Hill
Aria: A Serpent, In My Bosom Warm'd Saul - Martyn Hill
Recitativo: has He Escap'd My Rage? Saul - Martyn Hill
Aria: Capricious Man, In Humour Lost Merab - Martyn Hill
Accompagnato: Oh Filial Piety! Oh Sacred Friendship! Jonathan - Martyn Hill
Aria: No, No Cruel Father, No! Jonathan - Martyn Hill
Chorus: Preserve Him For The Glory Of Thy Name - Martyn Hill

Tracks:

Chorus: Envy! Eldest Born Of Hell! - Martyn Hill
Recitativo: Ah! Dearest Friend Jonathan - Martyn Hill
Aria: But Sooner Jordan's Stream Jonathan - Martyn Hill
Recitativo: Oh Strange Vicissitude! David/Jonathan - Martyn Hill
Aria: Such Haughty Beauties Rather Move David - Martyn Hill
Recitativo: My Father Comes Jonathan - Martyn Hill
Recitativo: Hast Thou Obey'd My Orders Saul/Jonathan - Martyn Hill
Aria: Sin Not, Oh King, Against The Youth Jonathan - Martyn Hill
Aria: As Great Jehovah Lives Saul - Martyn Hill
Aria: From Cities Storm'd Jonathan - Martyn Hill
Recitativo: Appear, My Friend Jonathan/Saul - Martyn Hill
Aria: Your Words, Oh King David - Martyn Hill
Recitativo: Yes, He Shall Wed My Daughter! Saul - Martyn Hill
Recitativo: A Father's Will Has Authoriz'd My Love Michal - Martyn Hill
Duet: Oh Fairest Of Ten Thousand Fair Michal/David - Martyn Hill
Chorus: Is There A Man - Martyn Hill
Sinfonia: Largo - Allegro - Martyn Hill
Recitativo: They Father Is As Cruel David - Martyn Hill
Duet: At Persecution I Can Laugh David/Michal - Martyn Hill
Recitativo: Whom Dost Thou Seek? Michal/Doeg - Martyn Hill
Aria: No, No, Let The Guilty Tremble Michal - Martyn Hill
Sinfonia: Allegro - Martyn Hill
Accompagnato: The Time At Length Is Come Saul - Martyn Hill
Recitativo: Where Is The Son Of Jesse? Saul/Jonathan - Martyn Hill
Chorus: O Fatal Consequence - Martyn Hill

Tracks:

Accompagnato: Wretch That I Am! Saul - Martyn Hill
Recitativo: 'Tis Said, Here Lives A Woman Saul - Martyn Hill
Recitativo: With Me What Would'st Thou? Witch/Saul - Martyn Hill
Aria: Infernal Spirits Witch - Martyn Hill
Accompagnato: Why Hast Thou Forc'd Me Samuel/Saul - Martyn Hill
Sinfonia: Allegro - Martyn Hill
Recitativo: Whence Comst Thou? David/Amalekite - Martyn Hill
Aria: Impious Wretch David - Martyn Hill
Sinfonia: Grave (Dead March) - Martyn Hill
Chorus: Mourn, Israel - Martyn Hill
Aria: Oh Let is Not In Gath Be Heard Tenor - Martyn Hill
Aria: From This Unhappy Day Soprano - Martyn Hill
Aria: Brave Jonathan Soprano - Martyn Hill
Chorus: Eagles Were Not So Swift As They - Martyn Hill
Aria: In Sweetest Harmony They Liv'd Soprano - Martyn Hill
Solo & Chorus: Oh Fatal Day! David - Martyn Hill
Recitativo: Ye Men Of Judah, Weep No More! Abner - Martyn Hill
Chorus: Gird On They Sword - Martyn Hill

Tracks:

Overture - Philip Ledger
Recitativo: 'Twas At The Royal Feast Tenor - Philip Ledger
Aria & Chorus: Happy, Happy, Happy Pair! Tenor, Soprano - Philip Ledger
Recitativo: Timotheus, Plac'd On High Tenor - Philip Ledger
Accompagnato: The Song Began From Jove Soprano - Philip Ledger
Chorus: The List'ning Crowd - Philip Ledger
Aria: With Ravish'd Ears Soprano - Philip Ledger
Recitativo: The Praise Of Bacchus Tenor - Philip Ledger
Aria & Chorus: Bacchus, Ever Fair And Young Bass - Philip Ledger
Recitativo: Sooth'd With The Sound Tenor - Philip Ledger
Accompagnato: He Chose A Mournful Muse Soprano - Philip Ledger
Aria: He Sung Darius, Great And Good Soprano - Philip Ledger
Accompagnato: With Downcast Looks Soprano - Philip Ledger
Chorus: Behold Darius Great And Good - Philip Ledger
Recitativo: The Mighty Master, Smil'd To See Tenor - Philip Ledger
Arioso Softly Sweet In Lydian Measures Soprano - Philip Ledger
Aria: War, He Sung, Is Toil And Trouble Tenor - Philip Ledger
Chorus: The Many Rend The Skies - Philip Ledger
Aria: The Prince, Unable To Conceal His pain Soprano - Philip Ledger
Chorus: (Da Capo) The Many Rend The Skies - Philip Ledger
Accompagnato & Chorus: Now Strike The Golden Lyre Again Tenor - Philip Ledger
Aria: Revenge, Revenge, Timotheus Cries Bass - Philip Ledger
Accompagnato: Give This Vengeance Due Tenor - Philip Ledger
Aria: The Princes Applaud Tenor - Philip Ledger

Tracks:

Aria & Chorus: Thais Led The Way Soprano - Philip Ledger
Accompagnato & Chorus: Thus, Long Ago Tenor - Philip Ledger
Recitativo: Let Old Timotheus Yield The Prize Tenor, Bass - Philip Ledger
Soli & Chorus: Let Old Timotheus Yield The Prize Bass/Tenor/Soprano - Philip Ledger
Recitativo: Your Voices Tune - Philip Ledger
Duet: Let's Imitate Her Notes Above - Philip Ledger
Chorus: Your Voices Tune And Raise - Philip Ledger
Sinfonia - Philip Ledger
Recitativo: See, Hercules! Pleasure - Philip Ledger
Aria: Come, Blooming Boy Pleasure - Philip Ledger
Aria: There The Brisk Sparkling Nectar Drain Pleasure - Philip Ledger
Aria & Chorus: While For Thy Arms Pleasure - Philip Ledger
Recitativo: Away, Mistaken Wretch! Virtue - Philip Ledger
Aria: This Manly Youth's Exalted Mind Virtue - Philip Ledger
Recitativo: Rise, Youth! Exalt Thyself And Me Virtue - Philip Ledger
Aria: Go, Assert Thy Heav'nly Race Virtue - Philip Ledger
Recitativo: In Peace, In War Virtue - Philip Ledger
Chorus: So Shalt Thou Gain Immortal Praise - Philip Ledger
Recitativo: Hear'st Thou, What Dangers Pleasure - Philip Ledger
Aria & Chorus: Turn Thee, Youth, To Joy And Love Pleasure - Philip Ledger
Recitativo: Short Is My Way - Oh Cease, Enchanting Siren! Pleasure/Hercules - Philip Ledger
Aria: Yet Can I Hear That Dulcet Lay Hercules - Philip Ledger
Aria: Enjoy The Sweet Elysian Grove Attendant On Pleasure - Philip Ledger
Recitativo: Oh! Whither, Reason, Dost Thou Fly? Hercules - Philip Ledger
Trio: Where Shall I Go? Hercules, Pleasure, Virtue - Philip Ledger
Recitativo: Mount, Mount The Steep Ascent! Virtue - Philip Ledger
Aria: Mount, Mount The Steep Ascent! Virtue - Philip Ledger
Chorus: Arise, Arise! - Philip Ledger
Recitativo: The Sounds Breathe Fire Celestial Hercules - Philip Ledger
Aria: Lead, Goddess, Lead The Way! Hercules - Philip Ledger
Chorus: Virtue Will Place Thee - Philip Ledger

Customer Reviews:

OUTSTANDING AT ITS BEST.......2004-11-19

I find Ledger very liveable-with as an exponent of Handel - authentic ma non troppo, using small forces, countertenors, boy trebles in the chorus and a full continuo, but also instruments that 20th/21st century ears are comfortable with and not afraid to take a slow tempo where that serves expressiveness in the modern sense. Handel does not need any `selling' to me - I find him endlessly fascinating - but I can't imagine better advocates for him than Ledger or Mackerras to music-lovers who may still balk at `all-the-way' authenticity as offered by, say, McCreesh.

For my own part, I would have bought these 5 discs at almost any price just to hear `Revenge Timotheus cries' in Alexander's Feast sung by Thomas Allen. It is my very favourite bit of Handelian swashbuckle, in one of my very favourite Handel works. I can never get over the matchless art of Handel's word-setting, and that in a language that he himself never learned to speak perfectly. Nobody ever came near his instinct for when and how to repeat words and phrases. His solos are often difficult, but he never gives his vocalists instrumental music to sing as Bach regularly does, still less does he subject voices to brutal strain as Verdi would later do. His choral writing was described by Beecham as unapproached since his time. Full texts are not provided here or in the other works, but I doubt you will need to visit the website mentioned - composer and interpreters both ensure that the words can be heard without effort. In Alexander's Feast there is some slightly dubious intonation by the sopranos (where was the superb Jill Gomez who worked with them in the Ode for St Cecilia's Day?) but the trumpet-voiced Robert Tear (a born Handel singer) and the great Tom Allen are superb throughout. I commend in particular the marvellous soprano aria `The prince unable', and you should be prepared for a minor confusion at tracks 21-22. These would make more sense as described in the liner-note, but what has happened is that the first section of `Revenge Timotheus cries' and its extraordinary middle section `Behold a ghastly band' have found their way into track 21 leaving only the da capo of `Revenge Timotheus cries' on track 22. Also, without a score to hand I can't be sure whether some opening notes have dropped out of the first number on cd5 `Thais led the way'.

The Choice of Hercules was put together as a perfunctory framework to accommodate some music Handel had done for an opera that never made it to production. The individual numbers are good quality, but it all hardly amounts to more than a recital. However the women soloists are on more reliable form than in the far superior Alexander's Feast.

With this new Saul I have an alternative to my cherished LP set from Mackerras, and I immediately made the startling discovery that the small part for the High Priest has vanished without comment in Ledger's version, although his final recitative is allocated to Abner. Neither the Oxford Companion to Music nor the lavishly-produced Mackerras set sheds any light on this, and the Flower biography only makes a fleeting reference to alternative versions of the work, but in truth there is hardly any such thing as a definitive Handel score. Saul contains two famous `effects' - the raising of the ghost of Samuel by the witch of Endor and the Dead March. I would add a third, the hair-raising chorus `Envy eldest born of hell' that starts part 2. The notes in this are easy to sing somehow, but the low pitch makes fullness of tone difficult in the octave plunges on `envy' and the downward marching scales. I still await the performance of my dreams here, but for now Mackerras has the edge. At Endor Mackerras's John Winfield sings more witchily, but the bassoons in both versions rise to the occasion, and if you are expecting something spectacular from the 3-time in the voices against 4-time in the orchestra, be aware you will have to listen hard to catch the effect. I am not in my element in the dismal genre of funeral marches, but all my life Handel's Dead March, in its major key, has filled me with awe where Beethoven's, Chopin's and Wagner's efforts leave me cold, and this time it is Ledger who wins hands-down. In general I am grateful to have either version let alone both. The approach is very similar and the recording is excellent in both, Mackerras has better sopranos, Ledger an outstanding tenor and bass. If it were just a matter of Saul, the inclusion of the High Priest in Mackerras would shade it for me - I'm not bothered whether he `detracts from the dramatic flow' etc, as Saul seems to me animated narrative rather than drama as such. More music by Handel is what counts with me, but this 5-disc set is an outstanding collection, which I got mainly for the glorious Alexander's Feast anyhow. Competent musicologists will no doubt know why Ledger's pitch is a semitone lower than either Mackerras's or my piano's.

Alexander's Feast is the opening gate to modern music.......2004-04-20

Handel is finally finding his free inspiration, his personal style. Do not expect any heroic action in this Ode, not any religious or even ethical morality. Cecilia is not even referred to as a saint. No martyrdom for her, no blood, suffering nor tears. She is only referred to as Cecilia, the « inventress of the vocal frame », the great woman who used « Nature's mother-wit and arts » to get music beyond all possible limits. This Ode is only concerned by music. Timotheus, the old patron, with the help of Bacchus, can do a lot, but not much nevertheless. He can use some intruments like the lyre, the flute or the harp, but that is limited when compared with the explosion of instruments after Cecilia invents the organ. He can use intonation and character in singing, but that remains still limited. It can sing war and victory, death and defeat, love and passion, but it cannot go yet as far as the sky, because, with Cecilia, the sky is the limit of music, and only the sky. That new music is an angel offered to us by Heaven to give our life the best experience we can ever imagine : « Music to Heaven and her we owe, the greatest blessing that's below. » And Handel manages to merge together the English tradition, especially after the renewing it went through with Purcell who recaptured the very popular and flexible polyphony of the numerous choirs of this country, the brilliance and lightness of the Italian tradition that makes every note, every instrument, every musical sentence a gem of their own that has to outshine all the others without ever succeeding except to always go higher into the light of the sky, the sun and the stars without ever reaching a final end in this search, and the formal and rich German way of constructing music like a cathedral, each stone having a function in the whole building. This Ode becomes a purely pleasant and entertaining moment and it does not seem to expect anything else : bring pleasure to the people, the pleasure any soldier of life deserves to rest their limbs and their minds, to bathe their souls in pure beauty. Just a few more years and Mozart will be with us.

Tracks:

Sym
Recitative: See, Hercules! How Smiles You Myrtle Plain
Air: Come, Blooming Boy, With My Repair
Air: There Is The Brisk Sparkling Nectar Drain
Solo And Chor: While For Thy Amrs That Beauty Glows
Recitative: Away, Mistaken Wretch, Away!
Air: This Manly Youth's Exalted Mind
Recitative: Rise, Youth! Exalt Thyself And Me
Air: Go, Assert Thy Heav'nly Race
Recitative: In Peace, In War Pursue Thy Country's Good
Solo And Chor: So Shalt Thou Gain Immortal Praise
Recitative: Hearst Thou, What Dangers Then Thou Must Engage?
Solo And Chor: Turn Thee, Youth, To Joy And Love
Recitative: Short Is My Way, Fair, Easy, Smooth And Plain
Air: Yet Can I Hear That Dulcet Lay
Air: Enjoy The Sweet Elysian Grove
Recitative: Oh! Whither, Reason, Dost Thou Fly?
Trio: Where Shall I Go?
Recitative: Mount, Mount The Steep Ascent
Air: Mount, Mount The Steep Ascent
Chor: Arise, Arise
Recitative: The Sounds Breathe Fire Celestial
Air: Lead Goddess, Lead The Way
Chor: Virtue Will Place Thee In That Blest Abode

Customer Reviews:

Not THAT minor or old...........2001-08-31

It must be remembered that even a "minor cantata" by Handle is well worth the listening. This "old" recording was done in 1984, around the time of the 300 year Bach/Handel birthday bash when many obscure and forgotten works were performed and recorded....thank goodness!
The only real problem I have with this performance is diction. English does not appear to be these singers 1st tongue. And the counter tenor is not the best I've heard. Still, what other recordings of this complete work are available?
There are many beauties here: The series of arias with concluding chorus "Come, blooming boy"/"There is the brisk sparkling nectar drain" [a great aria!]/ "While for thy arms that beauty glows" is wonderful; The trio "where do I go" and the final chorus are most worthwhile.
The aria for Virtue where she insists Hercules will "listen to my awful voice" is fine despite the fact "awful" doesn't mean "full of awe" anymore.
This is not a work to be avoided.

Not bad...........2001-08-31

It must be remembered that even a "minor cantata" by Handle is well worth the listening. This "old" recording was done in 1984, around the time of the 300 year Bach/Handel birthday bash when many obscure and forgotten works were performed and recorded....thank goodness!
The only real problem I have with this performance is diction. English does not appear to be these singers 1st tongue. And the counter tenor is not the best I've heard. Still, what other recordings of this complete work are available?
There are many beauties here: The series of arias with concluding chorus "Come, blooming boy"/"There is the brisk sparkling nectar drain" [a great aria!]/ "While for thy arms that beauty glows" is wonderful; The trio "Where do I go" and the final chorus are most worthwhile.
The aria for Virtue where she insists Hercules will "listen to my awful voice" is fine despite the fact "awful" doesn't mean "full of awe" anymore.
This is not a work to be avoided.

Aged recording of minor Handel cantata.......1999-06-15

Arleen Auger, Alain Zaepffel and Eberhard Buchner conducted by Max Pommer with the Leipzig New Bach Collegium Musicum.

Average customer rating:

Strident Style

Rule Brittania

Manufacturer: Nimbus Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Odes | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00000E07B
Release Date: 1992-12-02

Customer Reviews:

Strident Style.......2005-08-06

John Wallace demonstrates considerable zeal in the performance of these pieces from his homeland. His style is really vastly different from any other trumpeter's I've heard; his tonguing is often explosive, and his vibrato (he uses it rarely) is slow and long. His volume is powerful. While I think his playing is ill-suited the the Italian baroque, he does capture the imperialist grandeur of the Empire in his playing. The highlight of the album is Arne's Rule Britannia. Edmund Barham's strong tenor is a good match for Wallace, and they cut throught the at-times cumbersome chorus.

Music Review:

Music Review

Impossible Shapes [Import]

Machine + Soul #1 [EP]

Highlander [Import]

Magnification

I Piu Grandi Successi [Import]

Handel - Acis and Galatea / Daneman, Petibon, Agnew, Cornwell, A. Ewing, Les Arts Florissants, Christie

Jazz Collection: Kings of Swing

Latin Music: 100% Mana [Box set] [Import]

Eres

Harmann: Orchestral Works

Arular