Israel in Egypt, oratorio, HWV 54

Editorial Reviews
Album Description
Of all Handel’s great oratorios, Israel in Egypt is second only to Messiah in drama. It is dominated by massive virtuosic choruses, making it the perfect piece for The Sixteen, acknowledged by audiences and critics alike as "one of the great choirs of our day" (Gramophone).

It’s not surprising that Israel in Egypt is much-performed. Hailstones and lightning, buzzing flies and leaping frogs, are all brilliantly evoked for choir and orchestra in a series of incisive choruses leading us excitedly through the plagues of Egypt and the crossing of the Red Sea as we follow Moses and the Children of Israel through the story of the Exodus. The epic nature of the story could not be more suited to Handel’s genius for story-telling and drama.

This CD is based on the first published edition (1771), omitting five arias and two short choruses.

Tracks:

Cantata No. 80: A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
Cantata No. 140: Zion Hears The Watchmen's Voices
Magnificant In D Major, BWV 243: My Soul Doth Magnify The Lord
Cantata No.147: Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring
Cantata No. 4: Now Keep We All This Holy Feast
Cantata No. 208: Sheep May Safely Graze
Mass In B Minor, BWV 232: Et Resurrexit
Cantata No. 79: Now Thank We All Our God
Cantata No. 140: Sleepers Awake
Samson: Awake The Trumpet's Lofty Sound
Samson: Let Their Celestial Concerts All Unite
Judas Maccabaeus: See, The Conqu'ring Hero Comes!
Judas Maccabaeus: Sing Unto God
Judas Maccabaeus: Hallelujah, Amen
Saul: Welcome, Welcome Mighty King
Saul: David, His Ten Thousands Slew
Israel In Egypt: But As For His People
Israel In Egypt: Sing Ye To The Lord
Coronation Anthem: Zadok The Priest
Messiah: Hallelujah

Customer Reviews:

Bach and Handel Treats.......2000-08-04

The unfortunate thingÑif anything can be said to the contrary about this collectionÑis that is an older recording. As far as authenticity, what was available in the days of Bach and Handel to perform their music, and what they may have had in mind as the formidable way of presenting it to the publicÑas well as to the heavensÑmay be quite different things. Viewed in this way, authenticity may be an abstraction we are not here priviledged to comment on.

I have marveled for years, even when these were two separate LP's, of the power and dimensionality conveyed by the way these works are performed. I still switch from one to another piece as which is my favorite. In this respect, the experience is a hermenutic delight. Any lover or respecter of Bach or Handel would not go wrong by including this collection in their musical library.

When I use the word "treats" in the title, I mean just that: it is a collection of works that one would be hard pressed to find performed together on any available recording. And so I use the metaphor "treat," as if I were given a morsel and then devoured it; and another, and devoured that one, each with a fullness of pleasure and delight, and with soul filling satisfaction.

These indivdual recordings are for the most part masterpieces in and of themselves, and to be able to listen to them as they are performed flawlessly, and in a manner that invites the Spirit of GodÑby saying they are a "treat"Ñis to merely to treat them minimally.

Fine recording, but doesn't work for me........1999-05-07

I love several of J.S. Bach's cantatas, and enjoy hearing them in a variety of ways--period performances, orchestral arrangements, etc. Therefore I'm not one to insist on authenticity. Nevertheless, the chorus here sounds too big for the Bach. Also, the program needs more variety for straight through listening. Chorus after (massive) chorus doesn't work for me.

rock on!!!!!.......1999-02-09

Jesu joy of man's desiring, holy wisdom love most bright

This song is the best I have ever heard. It rocks!!!!!.......1999-02-09

Jesu joy of man's desiring, holy wisdom love most bright

Average customer rating:

5 Stars Discounting Recording Problems
Perfect for homeschooling.
In Words & Music
Don't blink

The Story Of Handel

Manufacturer: Vox (Classical)
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000001KCX
Release Date: 1995-04-16

Tracks:

Water Music
Israel In Egupt: 'He Gave Them Hailstones'
Organ Concerto No. 16 In F Major: Larghetto affetuoso
Messiah: I Know That My Redeemer Liveth
The Faithful Shepherd: Overture
Terpsichore: Overture
Julius Caesar: Aria Of Ptolemy
Sonata No. 1 In B Flat Major For Recorder And Harpsichord: Finale
Concerto Grosso In G Minor, Op. 6 No. 6: Fugue
Messiah: Every Valley Shall Be Exalted
Rodelinda: Overure
Ezio: Overture
Organ Concerto No. 13 In Major: Larghetto
Water Music: Hornpipe
Fantasia In C Major
Harmonious Blacksmith
Water Music: Andante
Julius Caesar: Finale
Organ Concerto No. 5 In F Major: Allegro
Alexander's Feast: Oveture
Serse: Largo
Isreal In Egypt: He Spake The Word
Larghetto e staccato
Messiah: Hallelujah Chorus
Israel In Egypt: The Horse And His Rider
Messiah: Why Do The Nations
Judas Maccabeus: Hallelujah Amen
Israel In Egypt: And The Children If Israel Sighed
Messiah: Hallelujah
Water Music: Ouverture
Water Music: III. Allegro
Water Music: IV. Allegro
Water Music: VII. Bourree Hornpipe
Water Music: X.
Water Music: XI
Water Music: XVI
Water Music: XVII
Water Music: XVIII
Water Music: XIX

Customer Reviews:

5 Stars Discounting Recording Problems.......2007-05-14

The content is terrific. This CD is one of a series of classical music masters. The only problem is that tracks 38 and later have a lot of distortion/static. I returned thinking it was a problem with the disc, but the replacement disc had the same problem. If not for that, I would have rated 5 stars.

Perfect for homeschooling........2007-01-29

The narratives are short enough to keep your children's attention, the music may be short in some instances but if you're playing it in the background for exposure- it doesn't matter. The price is great and the cheapest you'll find in addition to the 4 for 3 deal. We have all 18 of these cds and don't regret it!

In Words & Music.......2000-07-24

I have found this recording series to be a very helpful introductory teaching device for my young children. It gives a brief history of the composer and samples of the musical style.

Don't blink.......2000-05-03

The music on this CD is all wonderful, and it's a perfect CD toget - if you have the attention span of a soap bubble! Thisis a "sampler" with narrative and very few of thepieces listed are actually played in their entirety. Even pieces which are short to begin with are excerpted. We are given a whole minute of the Hallelujah Chorus and a rousing 45 seconds from the overture from "Ezio". This is a teaching CD which gives some fine examples to support the narration - but they are very short examples. A few bars here and there is all you get.

Handel: Messiah, Israel In Egypt - Andrew Parrott/Taverner Choir & Players (4 CD's)

Average customer rating:

Wonderful oratorios
Wonderful execution and extraordinary value

Handel: Messiah, Israel In Egypt - Andrew Parrott/Taverner Choir & Players (4 CD's)
Joseph Cornwall , George Frideric Handel , Andrew Parrott , and Taverner Choir & Players
Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Handel - Carmelite Vespers 1707 / Feldman · Kirkby · Van Evera · M. Cable · M. Nichols · Cornwell · Thomas · Parrott
Handel: Messiah (1751 version)

ASIN: B00030FJFI
Release Date: 2004-11-16

Tracks:

Sinfony: Grave - Allegro Moderato - James Bowman
Accompagnato: Comfort Ye My People - James Bowman
Air: Ev'ry Valley Shall Be Exalted - James Bowman
Chorus: And The Glory Of The Lord Shall Be Revealed - James Bowman
Accompagnato: Thus Saith The Lord Of Hosts - James Bowman
Air: But Who May Abide The Day Of His Coming - James Bowman
Chorus: And He Shall Purify - James Bowman
Recitative: Behoold, A Virgin Shall Conceive - James Bowman
Air & Chorus: O Thou That Tellest Good Tidings To Zion - James Bowman
Accompagnato: For Behold, Darkness Shall Cover The Earth - James Bowman
Air: The People That Walked In Darkness - James Bowman
Chorus: For Unto Us A Child Is Born - James Bowman
Pifa: Larghetto E Mezzo Piano - James Bowman
Recitative & Accompagnato: There Were Shepherds/Recitative: And The Angel Said Unto Them/Accompagnato: And Suddenly There Was With The Angel - James Bowman
Chorus: Glory To God In The Highest - James Bowman
Air: Rejoice Greatly, O Daughter Of Zion - James Bowman
Recitative: Then Shall The Eyes Of The Blind Be Open'd - James Bowman
Air: He Shall Fell His Flock Like A Shepherd - James Bowman
Chorus: His Yoke Is Easy, His Burthen Is Light - James Bowman
Chorus: Behold, The Lamb Of God - James Bowman
Air: He Was Despised - James Bowman
Chorus: Surely, He Hath Borne Our Griefs - James Bowman
Chorus: And With His Stripes We Are Healed - James Bowman
Chorus: All We Like Sheep Have Gone Astray - James Bowman

Tracks:

Accompagnato: All They That See Him, Laugh Him To Scorn - James Bowman
Chorus: He Trusted In God - James Bowman
Accompagnato: Thy Rebuke Hath Broken His Heart - James Bowman
Arioso: Behold, And See If There Be Any Sorrow - James Bowman
Accompagnato: He Was Cut Off Out Of The Land Of The Living - James Bowman
Air: But Thou Didst Not Leave His Soul In Hell - James Bowman
Chorus: Lift Up Your Heads, O Ye Gates - James Bowman
Recitative: Unto Which Of The Angels - James Bowman
Chorus: Let All The Angels Of God Worship Him - James Bowman
Air: Thou Art Gone Up On High - James Bowman
Chorus: The Lord Gave The Word - James Bowman
Air: How Beautiful Are The Feet - James Bowman
Chorus: Their Sound Is Gone Out Into All Lands - James Bowman
Air: Why Do The Nations So Furiously Rage Together - James Bowman
Chorus: Let us Break Their Bonds Asunder - James Bowman
Recitative: He That Dwelleth In Heaven - James Bowman
Air: Thou Shalt Break Them - James Bowman
Chorus: Hallelujah! - James Bowman
Air: I Know That My Redeemer Liveth - James Bowman
Chorus: Since By Man Came Death - James Bowman
Accompagnato: Behold, I Tell You A Mystery - James Bowman
Air: The Trumpet Shall Sound - James Bowman
Recitative: Then Shall Be Brought To Pass The Saying - James Bowman
Duet: O Death, Where Is Thy Sting - James Bowman
Chorus: But Thanks Be To God - James Bowman
Air: If God Be For Us - James Bowman
Chorus: Worthy Is The Lamb That Was Slain...Amen - James Bowman

Tracks:

Orchestra: Largo Assai - David Thomas
The Sons Of Israel Do Mourn - David Thomas
How Is The Mighty Fall'n! - David Thomas
He Put On Righteousness - David Thomas
When The Ear Heard Him - David Thomas
How Is The Mighty Fall'n! - David Thomas
He Deliver'd The Poor That Dried! - David Thomas
How Is The Mighty Fall'n! - David Thomas
The Righteous Shall Be Had In Everlasting Remembrance - David Thomas
Their Bodies Are Buried In Peace - David Thomas
The People Will Tell Of Their Wisdom - David Thomas
They Shall Recieve A Glorious Kingdom - David Thomas
The Merciful Goodness Of The Lord Endureth For Ever - David Thomas
Recitative: Now There Arose A New King Over Egypt - David Thomas
Chorus: And The Children Os Israel Sighed - David Thomas
Recitative: Then Sent He Moses, His Servant - David Thomas
Chorus: They Loathed To Drink Of The River - David Thomas
Air: Their Land Brought Forth Frogs - David Thomas
Chorus: He Spake The Word - David Thomas
Chorus: He Gave Them Hailstones For Rain - David Thomas
Chorus: He Sent A Thick Darkness Over All The Land - David Thomas
Chorus: He Smote All The First-Born Of Egypt - David Thomas

Tracks:

Chorus: But As For His People, He Led Them Forth Like Sheep - David Thomas
Chorus: Egypt Was Glad When They Departed - David Thomas
Chorus: He Rebuked The Red Sea, And It Was Dried Up - David Thomas
He Led Through The Deep - David Thomas
But The Waters Overwhelmed Their Enemies - David Thomas
Chorus: And Israel Saw That Great Work - David Thomas
And Believed The Lord And His Servant Moses - David Thomas
Introitus (Chorus): Moses And The Children Of Israel Sung This Song - David Thomas
I Will Sing Unto The Lord - David Thomas
Duet: The Lord Is My Strengh And My Song - David Thomas
Chorus: He Is My God - David Thomas
And I Will Exalt Him - David Thomas
Duet: The Lord Is A Man Of War - David Thomas
Chorus: The Depths Have Covered Them - David Thomas
Chorus: Thy Right hand, O Lord, Is Become Glorious - David Thomas
And In The Greatness Of Thine Excellency - David Thomas
Thou Sentest Forth Thy Wrath - David Thomas
Chorus: And With The Blast Of Thy Nostrils - David Thomas
Air: The Enemy Said, I Will Pursue - David Thomas
Air: Thou Didst Blow With The Wind - David Thomas
Chorus: Who Is Like Unto Thee - David Thomas
The Earth Swallowed Them - David Thomas
Duet: Thou In Thy Mercy Hast Led Forth Thy People - David Thomas
Chorus: The People Shall Hear, And Be Afraid - David Thomas
Air: Thou Shalt Bring Them In - David Thomas
Chorus: The Lord Shall Reign For Ever And Ever - David Thomas
Recitative: For The Horse Of Pharaoh Went In - David Thomas
Chorus: The Lord Shall Reign For Ever And Ever - David Thomas
Recitative: And Miriam The Prophetess - David Thomas
Solo: Sing Ye To The Lord - David Thomas

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful oratorios.......2005-09-28

I own the two oratorios separately. I bought first Messiah because I needed a reference recording for our choir performance on Christmas 2000, and my then choir director recommended the Tavener Choir and Players. I followed his suggestion and I must say that to this day I haven't regretted it. It's very balanced in tempi, never too quick neither too slow as other recordings I have heard like the Gardiner or Sawallisch ones. Every time we schedule Messiah for a concert I keep coming back to it to get into the proper mood for singing. The cast of singers is really excellent - there is a counter-tenor sharing the mezzo/alto role with a mezzo (which is quite unusual but refreshing anyway) as well as two soprans sharing role too, which usually other recordings don't have. But everyone of them is magnificent, though I tend to have a partiality towards the bass, David Thomas, specially regarding the arias "The trumpet shall sound" and "Why do the nations". Such a booming voice, and such a homogeneous sound in all of his fach.

Having such good opinion of the ensemble, I went for the Israel in Egypt, which was a discovery. Some of the singers are the same
as in the Messiah cast, and includes Anthony Rolfe Johnson and Nancy Argenta...which are an added plus. Unfortunately, there is no mezzo/alto in this recording but a counter-tenor...sigh... There are two soprans and two basses sharing roles as well. Tenor and alto are just one singer each. I have been said that it is quite rare to find a whole recording of this score, since its excerpts are usually used to "make up" for a complete recording together with other pieces by Handel. The work in itself is very much like Handel, full of sensitivity and the exact amount of sadness - "The ways of Zion do mourn" makes my hairs stand on end, thrills me so! - and weird humor, like when telling about the 7 plagues Yahwe send to Egypt in order to make the Pharaoh free the Israelites... "Their land brought forth frogs" starts with the violins sounding like leaping frogs! And I have named just a few of the pieces. It is really an adquisition worth your money.

Wonderful execution and extraordinary value.......2005-04-20

Andrew Parrott's recordings of Handel's "Messiah" and "Israel in Egypt" are reintroduced in this budget box that has so much going for it that no version extant can really compare in terms of musical value, execution of the score and dollar value. At a list price of $17 -- and usually available for less than that -- this four-disk set presents a tremendous value to lovers of this music.

Parrott's rendition of the less often recorded "Isreal in Egypt" Passover story is still considered by most critics to sit at or near the pinnacle with Gardiner's two versions. I have owned the second Gardiner recording along with those lead by Christophers, Cleobury and Preston and none exceeds the singing and musical performance of this one.

His "Messiah" is every bit its counterpart and ranks ahead of other versions I've owned in recent years including the beautifully sung but controversial recording of Marriner, Academy & Chorus of St. Martin-in-the-Fields with Elly Ameling, Anna Reynolds, Philip Langridge, Gwynne Howell; the energetic period performance on DG with Pinnock leading the English Concert & Choir, Arleen Auger, Anne Sofie von Otter, Michael Chance, Howard Crook & John Tomlinson; and the noisy old version by Beecham that big band lovers still cling to.

Parrott's recordings include some of the best early music singers in Europe including the clarion voice of Emma Kirkby, Nancy Argenta, tenor Anthony Rolfe Johnson and bass David Thomas. The inclusion of parts for countertenor James Bowman to sing bass arias in "Messiah" is more controversial but does little to diminish the positive overall effect.

What I enjoy most about these performances is that, even though they are period performances, Parrott romanticizes the music and allows his singers to use vibrato. A complete absence of rapid fire speeds in the two performances allows the music to bloom and breathe. Indeed, his "Hallelujah" chorus in "Messiah" in a massive performance more befitting the old days of 200 member choirs than the lean and mean approach by most pedantics!

Parrott's approach remians authentic by including the original score of "Israel in Egypt" including the first part "Lamentation of the Isrealties for the Death of Joseph". Listeners that, like me, do not particularly care for this section can skip ahead to track 14 of disk 3 and begin at the more conventional "Exodus" section. In either case the performance is a stunning winner.

It's not often I come across a CD where I don't find something objectionable but this set is about as good as it gets. The performances both rank in the top drawer of currently available CDs. While the recordings, made in 1989 and 1990, are not the quality of today's best digital remakes and may take a little treble taming at the beginning of "Isreal: Exodus", they are more than adequate.

The one noticeable downside is the lack of a vocal score and only skimpy notes given in a couple languages. Complete track listings are included, however, and the English is so good throughout this set that you won't need the score to understand what's going on, whether you're listening to it at home, at work or in the car.

With extremely lucid direction by Parrott and the engineers, matched with some of the best singing I've heard in these scores, this is a set you can listen to repeatedly. I can't imagine another set that is better than this one, especially for $17 or less.

Hallelujah Chorus - The Great Handel Choruses

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Hallelujah Chorus - The Great Handel Choruses
Mormon Tabernacle Choir , George Frideric Handel , Carl Nielsen , Henry Lawes , and Eugene Ormandy
Manufacturer: Sony Special Product
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Make A Joyful Noise
Choral Masterpieces

ASIN: B000002YZ8
Release Date: 1996-03-01

Tracks:

Samson: Awake the Trumpet's Lofty Sound
Judas Maccabaeus: See, The Conqu'ring Hero Comes!
Judas Maccabaeus: Sing Unto God
Messiah: For Unto Us a Child Is Born
Samson: Let Their Celestial Concerts All Unite
Saul: Welcome, Welcome Mighty King/David His Ten Thousands Slew
Zadok the Priest: Coronation Anthem No.1
Messiah: Hallelujah Chorus
Xerxes: Largo: Holy Art Thou
Saul: How Excellent Thy Name
Judas Maccabaeus: Hallelujah, Amen
Israel in Egypt: But as for His People
Israel in Egypt: Sing Ye to the Lord

Handel: Israel in Egypt/Chandos Anthem No. 10

Average customer rating:

Very good Handel Bargain.
great buy for great music
Cultural prejudices
An inferior presentation
A very good performance.

Handel: Israel in Egypt/Chandos Anthem No. 10

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Handel - Coronation Anthems / Gritton, Blaze, M. George, Choir of King's College Cambridge, AAM, Cleobury

ASIN: B000004243
Release Date: 1996-02-13

Tracks:

Chandos Anthem No. 10: Overture
Chandos Anthem No. 10: The Lord Is My Light And My Salvation
Chandos Anthem No. 10: Though An Host Of Men Were Laid Against Me
Chandos Anthem No. 10: One Thing Have I Desired Of The Lord
Chandos Anthem No. 10: I Will Offer In His Dwelling An Oblation
Chandos Anthem No. 10: For Who Is God But The Lord?
Chandos Anthem No. 10: The Lord Is My Strength And My Shield
Chandos Anthem No. 10: It Is The Lord That Ruleth The Sea
Chandos Anthem No. 10: Sing Praises Unto The Lord
Israel In Egypt: Overture (Organ Cocerto No.13 In F Major: Largo - Allegro)
Israel In Egypt: Part I - No.1: Now There Arose New King - No.2: And The Children Of Israel
Israel In Egypt: Part I - No.3: Then Sent He Moses - No.4: They Loathed To Drink Of The River
Israel In Egypt: Part I - No.5: Their Land Brought Forth Frogs
Israel In Egypt: Part I - No.6: He Spake The Word
Israel In Egypt: Part I - No.7: He Gave Them Hallstones
Israel In Egypt: Part I - No.8: He sent a thick darkness
Israel In Egypt: Part I - No.9: He Smote All The First-born Of Egypt
Israel In Egypt: Part I - No.10: But As For His Peolple
Israel In Egypt: Part I - No.11: Egypt Was Glad When They Departed
Israel In Egypt: Part I - No.12: He Rebuked The Red Sea
Israel In Egypt: Part I - No.13: He Led Them Through The Deep
Israel In Egypt: Part I - No.14: But The Waters Overwhelmed Their Enemies
Israel In Egypt: Part I - No.15: And Israel Saw That Great Work - No.16: And Believed The Lord

Tracks:

Israel In Egypt: Part II - No.17: Moses And The Children Of Israel - No.18: I Will SIng Unto The Lord
Israel In Egypt: Part II - No.19: The Lord Is My Strength
Israel In Egypt: Part II - No.20: He Is My God
Israel In Egypt: Part II - No.21: The Lord Is A Man Of War
Israel In Egypt: Part II - No.22: The Depths Have Covered Them
Israel In Egypt: Part II - No.23: Thy Right Hand, O Lord
Israel In Egypt: Part II - No.24: Thou Sendest Forth Thy Wrath
Israel In Egypt: Part II - No.25: And With The Blast Of Thy Nostrils
Israel In Egypt: Part II - No.26: The Enemy Said
Israel In Egypt: Part II - No.27: Thou Didst Blow With The Wind
Israel In Egypt: Part II - No.28: Who Is Like Unto Thee
Israel In Egypt: Part II - No.29: Thou In Thy Mercy
Israel In Egypt: Part II - No.30: The People Shall Hear And Be Afraid
Israel In Egypt: Part II - No.31: Thou Shalt Bring Them In
Israel In Egypt: Part II - No.32: The Lord Shall Reign - No.33: For The Horse Of Pharoah - No.34: The lord Shall Reign
Israel In Egypt: Part II - No.35: And Miriam, The Prophetess - No.36: Sing Ye To The Lord

Amazon.com

This is the pre-authentic instrument style of English oratorio performance, and it's rather amazing how dated it sounds. The choruses sing very well, but sound so heavy and indistinct. At the same time, trumpets and drums play with a mushy, soft-edged sonority which, though the resonant recording is somewhat to blame, really reflects a different view of the music than we have now. There's no question that we've come a long way in interpretation of Handel's oratorios since this was recorded, and largely for the better. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

Very good Handel Bargain........2007-02-22

This package of 'Israel in Egypt', while being two full CD's at about 130 minutes, is the same amount of music for half the price of the typical Hyperion recording of Handel's oratorios, commonly running to list prices of $35. The only oddity of the set is that the two CD's actually contain two different works. The first is Chandos Anthem No. 10 and the second is the title work. Fortunately, Handel's music blends together so well that to dillitant amateur music listeners like myself, I hardly notice the seams. So, while it is not as cohesive as, for example, 'Judas Maccabus', it is still great listening on the cheap.

great buy for great music.......2003-12-22

I agree with the reviewer above that this is an excellent recording. I must strongly disagree with Mr. Hurwitz. I am a loyal fan of Ian Partridge, who is a regular favorite of mine for any lyric work whether baroque or early romantic, and he will not fail to disappoint those who like what he has done in the past here. The orchestra is a wonderful compliment, not a surprise seeing that it's the ASMF, no matter who they're under. I've never heard them take something at a rediculous pace or throw around baroque lines as if they were trying to hurl them to the back of the auditorium rather than letting them glide. That's not to say that they are of that dead, tinny sounding orchestra type either. A very good medium for those not used to pre 1960 recordings yet not satisfied with the newer interpretations like Gardiner/ some Harnoncourt. A bit like Sir Colin Davis.

Cultural prejudices.......2001-03-23

We found this recording of "Israel in Egypt" to be of spectacular quality--excepting one soloist's moment, near the end of the work.

Intellectually engaging as it is, parts of it are so powerful, our physical reactions ranged from stunned to raptured.

Why would anyone say this was not a great renditon? The modern idea is to take a great work and do everything possible to make it different from what the original score indicates.

If the passage is measured, they syncopate it; if the passage is syncopated, they insist it be on the beat. If it is supposed to be fast, they slow it, and if slow, they speed it up. I'm not going to bore you by going through every possibility--but they do!

This way, the inferior can trample the superior, and create a distinctive "style" that the same people who admired the Emperor's new clothes will admire.

And the agents of change can weave a decadent, demoralizing pall to throw over anything inspirational and uplifting.

I am so weary of finding every wonderful work trashed this way in modern recordings, I usually only look for pre-1960 releases.

That's why this relatively recent release, with its superior recording technology, is such a delight.

As far as the preternatural beauty of this piece--a work of genius, if you are at all familiar with Jewish liturgical music, you will see that, indeed, Handel did his homework.

We give this work five stars, and wish there were a higher rating to award it. Thanks, Amazon, for making it available!

An inferior presentation.......2000-03-26

Skip this trash. Save your money. This version of Israel in Egypt is very poor. The singers are weak, even the choir is bad. If you want to hear the best Israel in Egypt, you must try to find the one conducted by Maurice Abravanel, with the Utah SO and Chorus (label Westminster, # 5623 in Brazil, in the 60's...). Blanche Christensen and Collen Bischoff are wonderfull sopranos, Grace Bumbry a very good contralto, Dale Blackburn (tenor),Don Watts & Warren Woods (bass) are splendid. The Orchestra and Chorus are magnificent, and Abravanel the master. But the reason of this sucess is that they performed with joy, believing in (always fantastic) Handel's work. Try to find one copy or write to Vanguard to re-issue this jewel. But do not loose your time with "ersatz" works. Get the real thing.

A very good performance........1999-10-23

I appreciate, in this recording, expecially the choir. But the singers and the conductor are good too. What a pity not to have the text of this pleasant and important oratorio.

Handel - Israel in Egypt / Bostridge, Chance, Gritton, Varcoe, King's College Choir, The Brandenburg Consort, Cleobury

Average customer rating:

a voice teacher and early music
Israel in Egypt - Baroque Recording
Superb recording of one of Handel's great oratorios
A Magnificent Performance of One of Handel's Finest Oratorios
Passionate Reconstruction of First Version on Period Instr's

Handel - Israel in Egypt / Bostridge, Chance, Gritton, Varcoe, King's College Choir, The Brandenburg Consort, Cleobury
King's College Choir - Cambridge , and The Brandenburg Consort
Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

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Samson
Mozart: Symphony No. 41 "Jupiter"
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Water Music and Music for the Royal Fireworks

ASIN: B00004SDRE
Release Date: 2000-06-13

Tracks:

The Ways Of Zion Do Mourn: Prelude
The Ways Of Zion Do Mourn: The Sons Of Israel Do Mourn
The Ways Of Zion Do Mourn: He Put On Righteousness
The Ways Of Zion Do Mourn: When The Ear Heard Him Soprano
The Ways Of Zion Do Mourn: How Is The Mighty Fall'n
The Ways Of Zion Do Mourn: He Deliver'd The Poor
The Ways Of Zion Do Mourn: How Is The Mighty Fall'n
The Ways Of Zion Do Mourn: The Righteous Shall Be Had
The Ways Of Zion Do Mourn: Their Bodies Are Buried In Peace
The Ways Of Zion Do Mourn: The People Will Tell Of Their Wisdom
The Ways Of Zion Do Mourn: They Shall Recieve A Glorious Kingdom
The Ways Of Zion Do Mourn: The Merciful Goodness Of The Lord
The Ways Of Zion Do Mourn: Now There Arose A New King Over Egypt
The Ways Of Zion Do Mourn: And The Children Of Israel Sighed
The Ways Of Zion Do Mourn: Then Sent He Moses
The Ways Of Zion Do Mourn: They Loathed To Drink Of The River
The Ways Of Zion Do Mourn: Their Land Brought Forth Frogs
The Ways Of Zion Do Mourn: He Spake The Word
The Ways Of Zion Do Mourn: He Gave Them Hailstones For Rain
The Ways Of Zion Do Mourn: He Sent A Thick Darkness
The Ways Of Zion Do Mourn: He Smote All The First-Born Of Egypt
The Ways Of Zion Do Mourn: But As For His People
The Ways Of Zion Do Mourn: Egypt Was Glad
The Ways Of Zion Do Mourn: He Rebuked The Red Sea
The Ways Of Zion Do Mourn: He Led Them Through The Deep
The Ways Of Zion Do Mourn: But The Waters Overwhelmed Their Enemies
The Ways Of Zion Do Mourn: And Israel Saw That Great Work
The Ways Of Zion Do Mourn: And Believed The Lord

Tracks:

Part III: Moses' Song: Moses And The Children Of Israel
Part III: Moses' Song: I Will Sing Unto The Lord
Part III: Moses' Song: The Lord Is My Strength
Part III: Moses' Song: He Is My God And I Will Exalt Him
Part III: Moses' Song: The Lord Is A Man Of War
Part III: Moses' Song: The Depths Have Covered Them
Part III: Moses' Song: Thy Right Hand O Lord, And In The Greatness
Part III: Moses' Song: Thou Sentest Forth Thy Wrath
Part III: Moses' Song: And With The Blast Of Thy Nostrils
Part III: Moses' Song: The Enemy Said
Part III: Moses' Song: Thou Didst Blow With The Wind
Part III: Moses' Song: Who Is Like Unto Thee, O Lord, The Earth Swallowed Them
Part III: Moses' Song: Thou In Thy Mercy
Part III: Moses' Song: The People Shall Hear
Part III: Moses' Song: Thou Shalt Bring Them In
Part III: Moses' Song: The Lord Shall Reign For Ever And Ever
Part III: Moses' Song: For The Horse Of Pharoah
Part III: Moses' Song: The Lord Shall Reign For Ever And Ever
Part III: Moses' Song: And Miriam The Prophetess
Part III: Moses' Song: Sing Ye To The Lord

Amazon.com

Israel in Egypt is by far the most choral of all of Handel's oratorios. Indeed, Part II (which describes the plagues of Egypt with extraordinary vividness) is all chorus, apart from one short alto aria. For the most part, the King's College Choir, Cambridge, does a splendid job here. There's something unutterably beguiling about the freshness of children's voices in this context, especially when they are warmed with the delicate touch of vibrato which the "King's sound" requires. If the young singers do not have the sophistication of the adult female voices of, say, the Monteverdi Choir, they certainly have an unmistakable bloom. Cleobury keeps things very clear in the contrapuntal and fugal sections, but is less inspired in the passages that need more drama and orchestral color: the plagues of flies, lice, and locusts are woefully restrained, for example. The soloists, however, do their best to inject some theatricality during their arias. Ian Bostridge is in particularly fine form, and Susan Gritton sounds gorgeous. An attractive interpretation. --Warwick Thompson

Customer Reviews:

a voice teacher and early music.......2006-03-21

When Handel began the writing of this composition he did not intend to write a gigantic epic, but simply an anthem (which is now the 2nd part headed 'Moses' Song,Exodus, chapter XV'. But the subject fascinated him and when he had finished the 2nd part,he wrote the first part as a kind of prelude. This tale of the salvation of the chosen people is told almost entirely in a chain of gigantic choruses,illustrating the sufferings of Israel in the land of bondage, the plagues inflicted by Jehovah upon the Egyptians,the escape of the Israelites, the passage of the Red Sea, and the final song of victory. As a combination of massive grandeur of style and picturesque force, it stands alone.The first performance took place at the King's Theatre on April 4,1739.I actually purchased this recording because it included the Original part l:The Lamentations of Jeremiah. Also because of the superior line-up of soloists which included 4 of my personal favorites: Chance, Varcoe, Bostridge and Gritton. This is just an excellent interpretation of this dramatic oratorio and I do agree with one of the previous reviewers that the boy sopranos as opposed to women sopranos lend a fresh new sound to this great work. The whole rendition is so dramatic that it is very easy to get into the bible story as told in Exodus. The Quartets sung by Gritton, Chance, Bostridge and Varcoe are glorious; it's very satisfying when the ear doesn't have to struggle to get the message; the diction in the chorus is just as refined and understandable. I have the Robert Shaw recording from several years before this one and while it is excellent, this one has the dramatic edge over it. In addition Shaw parceled out his solos to various people; for example Chance only sang one of the 4 main alto solos and I was "let down" by the others. Anyway, this is a great listening experience.

Israel in Egypt - Baroque Recording.......2006-02-01

A wonderful recording of Handel's fifth oratorio. Ian Bostridge is fantastic, as are the other soloists. The King's College Choir is exemplary. I purchased this recording to use as preparation for singing the piece myself. I did not realize when I ordered it that it was recorded on baroque instruments (and therefore in a lower key), and would have prefered a recording on modern instruments for practicing.

Superb recording of one of Handel's great oratorios.......2005-10-18

Handel made is fame in England as a brilliant composer of Italian Opera. When the crown endorsed a second opera company it was soon apparent that even London could not and would not support both. When Handel could no longer recruit the top singers for his operas, he turned to another great English vocal composition style, the Anthem. Out of this grew his Oratorio style, which allowed brilliant singing, popular choruses, musical drama without onstage action or expensive sets, and works that were sung in English and therefore more widely appreciated.

His "Israel in Egypt" dates from 1738 as he was winding down his composition of operas. In its original form the first part reused the mournful funeral anthem he had composed for the funeral of his patron Queen Caroline. While included in this recording, it has usually not been performed in concert over the centuries. Why? It may be that opening a dramatic work with so many choruses of a sad affect may wear an audience out before the quite different second and third parts even begin. Its texts are drawn from Lamentations, Psalms, Ecclesiastes, and others representing Israel mourning the death of Joseph.

The second part is the Exodus from Egypt. These texts are drawn from Exodus and Psalms and the music is full of text painting during the plagues and the escape through the Red Sea. Part III is the most operatic in character and probably the part the audiences love the most. It is a setting of Moses' Song drawn from Exodus 15. It has the most work of soloists, ensembles and choruses.

The work did not please its first audiences and Handel adapted it over the years to find an audience for it. However, nineteenth century audiences loved it and performed it more than any other of Handel's oratorios save, of course, "Messiah".

Handel was a composer who often borrowed and reused music. He did that with his own works and the works of others. It is not straight plagiarism by today's standards, because he reworked, extended, and transformed the music. However, it surely would have gotten him on the wrong side of copyright laws, if any had existed. But they didn't and many other composers over the centuries also used borrowed material. Handel's genius improved the music and made it immortal.

This recording is of all three parts, done with the superb and historic King College Chorus of Cambridge with its thirty voices. This choir uses only boys for the trebles and provides a wonderful sound for this music. The soloists are all superb and the orchestral playing is spot on and supports the voices perfectly.

If you want to hear works by Handel and enjoy choruses, this is a great choice. Just don't expect another "Messiah". It is not the same kind of use of soloists and chorus. There are two disks and a small booklet with some history and the libretto.

A Magnificent Performance of One of Handel's Finest Oratorios.......2005-08-07

ISRAEL IN EGYPT is an important step in Handel's career, a time when he took a breath from his Italian Operas and turned to the English libretti of his mighty oratorios. ISRAEL IN EGYPT is one of the more dramatic of his choral works, somehow capturing the drama of opera through the exciting role the chorus plays. Stephen Cleobury conducts what is certainly one of the most exciting and beautiful performances on record and he does so in the quintessential style of the Baroque era.

The soloists are all superb interpreters of the style and music of Handel and while tenor Ian Bostridge, countertenor Michael Chance and soprano Susan Gritton contribute the strongest roles, the work of Libby Crabtree, Angela East, Stephen Varcoe, and Henry Herford are also consistently excellent. The 'major role' in this opus is divided between the chorus and the orchestra and here is where the recording is the most radiant of any. The King's College Choir and the Brandenburg Consort are as fine as ensembles come for this music and Cleobury knows how to coax the beauty of line and energy of text from the entire ensemble.

For those unfamiliar with Handel's oratorios this recording is a fine start. And for those lovers of baroque music (and Handel in particular), this is a superlative example of how Handel's oratorios should be sung and played. Highly Recommended. Grady Harp, August 05

Passionate Reconstruction of First Version on Period Instr's.......2004-10-24

This is magnificent reconstruction of Handel's first composition on this oratorio, with Lamentations of the Israelites for the Death of Joseph included. Israel in Egypt is known to be the departure point for Handel from Italian opera to English oratoiro.

Here in wonderful fashion on period instruments with solid soloists and great baroque orchestra, this all comes together in a solid performance. Harpsichord and organ accompaniment are awesome, and strings do substantial job as well.

Great two CD set!

Average customer rating:

Israel in Egypt, oratorio, HWV 54

Manufacturer: Coro
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00008OP0N
Release Date: 2002-03-25

Album Description

Of all Handel's great oratorios, Israel in Egypt is second only to Messiah in drama. It is dominated by massive virtuosic choruses, making it the perfect piece for The Sixteen, acknowledged by audiences and critics alike as "one of the great choirs of our day" (Gramophone).

It's not surprising that Israel in Egypt is much-performed. Hailstones and lightning, buzzing flies and leaping frogs, are all brilliantly evoked for choir and orchestra in a series of incisive choruses leading us excitedly through the plagues of Egypt and the crossing of the Red Sea as we follow Moses and the Children of Israel through the story of the Exodus. The epic nature of the story could not be more suited to Handel's genius for story-telling and drama.

Tracks:

Sinfonia From 'Solomon': Arrival Of The Queen Of Sheba
Suite: The Gods Go A-Begging: Menuet, From Alcina
Suite: The Gods Go A-Begging: Hornpipe, From Concerto grosso Op. 6, No. 7
Suite: The Gods Go A-Begging: Musette, From 'Il Pastor Fido'
Suite: The Gods Go A-Begging: Sarabande, From 'Terpsichore'
Suite: The Gods Go A-Begging: Tambourine, From 'Alcina'
Suite: The Origin Of Design: Bourree (Gavotte), From 'Ariodante'
Suite: The Origin Of Design: Rondeau, From 'Ariodante'
Suite: The Origin Of Design: Gigue, From Terpischore
Suite: The Origin Of Design: Minuet, From 'Il Pastor Fido'
Suite: The Origin Of Design: Musette, From Ariodante
Suite: The Origin Of Design: Battle (Sinfonia Bellica, From 'Giulio Cesare'; Or la Tromba And Battaglia, From 'Rinaldo'); Finale: Andante allegro, From 'Ariodante'
'Israel In Egypt': Moses And The Children Of Israel
Concerto Grosso No. 3 in E Minor: Op. 6: Larghetto And Polonaise
'Israel In Egypt': But As For His People
'The Messiah': Pastoral Symphony
'Israel In Egypt': The Lord Is A Man Of War
Suite: The Faithful Shepherd From 'Il Pastor Fido': Introduction And Fugue (Overture)
Suite: The Faithful Shepherd From 'Il Pastor Fido': Adagio
Suite: The Faithful Shepherd From 'Il Pastor Fido': Gavotte
Suite: The Faithful Shepherd From 'Il Pastor Fido': Musette (Minuet)
Suite: The Faithful Shepherd From 'Il Pastor Fido': Bourree
'Triumph Of Time': Pastorale (Dryads, Sylvans)
Allegro Vivace (Ballo And March)

Customer Reviews:

Blissful music.......2006-04-12

Handel's "The Gods Go A-Begging" is one of my favorites. I have heard this conducted by Gardiner which is slightly different, but I dont believe it is available. This piece of music was unavailable for purchase for so many years, and I only could hear it when I requested it on my local classical radio station. So worth having. It absolutley speaks to my heart - as does most Bach music.

Great music--poor quality recording!.......2005-01-25

These orchestral suites by Handel are hard to find. I have a cassette tape of them conducted by Yo Yo Mah but I can't find any CD of this recording. I feel a little abashed about liking this music so much because it employs a larger orchestra than Handel ever dreamed of--they're a bit over the top. But I really like them, especially "Gods Go A'Begging." This recording, however, is very old and sounds like a 78rpm record. I give it 4 stars simply because this music is hard to find.

Average customer rating:

Shows Breath & Depth of This Composer

Handel's Largos

Manufacturer: Elektra / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Largo
Baroque Adagios

ASIN: B000026B4F
Release Date: 2001-05-01

Tracks:

Xerxes: Largo - Orch De Chm Jean-Francois Paillard/Jean-Francois Paillard
Con Grosso in B flat, Op.3 No.2: Largo - Alice Pierot/Nicolas Mazzoleni/Christian Moreaux/Jean Philippe Thiebaut/Marion Middenway...
Con in F, Op.4 No.5: Larghetto - Jean-Pierre Rampal
Con, Op.4 No.6: Larghetto - Orch De Chm Jean-Francois Paillard/Jean-Francois Paillard
Con No.13 in F 'The Cuckoo And The Nightingale': Larghetto - The Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra/Ton Koopman
Con Grosso in G, Op.6 No.1: Adagio - Orch De Chm Jean-Francois Paillard/Jean-Francois Paillard
Con Grosso in B flat, Op.3 No.1: Largo - Alice Pierot/Christian Moreaux
Con Grosso in e, Op.6 No.3: Larghetto - Orch De Chm Jean-Francois Paillard/Jean-Francois Paillard
Son in b, Op.1 No.9: Largo - Jean-Pierre Rampal/Robert Veyron Lacroix
Con in a, Op.6 No.4: Largo - Orch De Chm Jean-Francois Paillard/Jean-Francois Paillard
Son in a, Op.1 No.1: Adagio - Jean Pierre Rampal/Robert Veyron Lacroix
Con Grosso in d, Op.6 No.5: Menuet: Un Poco Larghetto - Orch De Chm Jean-Francois Paillard/Jean-Francois Paillard
Con Grosso in g, Op.6 No.6: Musette: Larghetto - Orch De Chm Jean-Francois Paillard/Jean-Francois Paillard
Con in d, Op.7 No.4: Adagio - The Amsterdam Baroque Orch/Ton Koopman
Con Grosso in B, Op.6 No.7: Largo - Orch De Chm Jean-Francois Paillard/Jean-Francois Paillard
Con No.14 in A: Largo - The Amsterdam Baroque Orch/Ton Koopman
Water Music Ste No.1 in F, HWV 348: Adagio Et Staccato - The Amsterdam Baroque Orch/Ton Koopman

Tracks:

Israel In Egypt: Ov - Monteverdi Chor
Con Grosso in c, Op.6 No.8: Siciliana - Orch De Chm Jean-Francois Paillard/Jean-Francois Paillard
Con Grosso in F, Op.3 No.4b: Largo - Orch De Chm Jean-Francois Paillard/Jean-Francois Paillard
Son in b, Op.1 No.9: Adagio - Jean Pierre Rampal/Robert Veyron Lacroix
Con Grosso in d, Op.6 No.5: Largo - Orch De Chm Jean-Francois Paillard/Jean-Francois Paillard
Son in F, Op.1 No.11: Larghetto - Jean Pierre Rampal/Robert Veyron Lacroix
Con Grosso in g, Op.6 No.6: Largo Affettuoso - Orch De Chm Jean-Francois Paillard/Jean-Francois Paillard
Con No.13 in F 'The Cuckoo And The Nightingale': Larghetto - The Amsterdam Baroque Orch/Ton Koopman
Con Grosso in B, Op.6 No.7: Largo - Orch De Chm Jean-Francois Paillard/Jean-Francois Paillard
Con: Siciliano, Largo - Concentus Musicus Wien/Nikolaus Harnoncourt
Con Grosso in c, Op.6 No.8: Adagio - Orch De Chm Jean-Francois Paillard/Jean-Francois Paillard
Con in C: Largo - Concentus Musicus Wien/Nikolaus Harnoncourt
Con Grosso in F, Op.6 No.9: Larghetto - Orch De Chm Jean-Francois Paillard/Jean-Francois Paillard
Con in d, Op.6 No.10: Aria: Lent - Orch De Chm Jean-Francois Paillard/Jean-Francois Paillard
Con Grosso in b, Op.6 No.12: Aria: Larghetto E Pno - Orch De Chm Jean-Francois Paillard/Jean-Francois Paillard
Water Music Ste No.3 in D, HWV 349: Lentement - The Amsterdam Baroque Orch/Ton Koopman
Con Grosso in b, Op.3 No.5: Largo - The Monteverdi Orch/John Eliot Gardiner
Con in F, Op.4 No.3: Adagio - The Amsterdam Baroque Orch/Ton Koopman
Xerxes: Ombra Mai Fu - I Solisti Veneti Claudio Scimone/Marilyn Horne

Customer Reviews:

Shows Breath & Depth of This Composer.......2004-01-19

Handel certainly was prolific composer, and this rich two-volume set of Largos is exemplary proof of such in Largo form.

From operas and orchestral pieces, this is full of sumputuous music from concertos to operetic pieces.

Especially fond of work from Concerto Grosso, Xerxes exerpts, and organ work.

Tracks:

Ov: Lamentations of the Israelites for the death of Joseph - Gardiner/Monteverdi Orch
1. Now here arose - P. Elliott
2. And the children of Isreal sighed by reason of the bondage: And their cry... - C. Royall/Monteveri Chor
3. Then he sent Moses - P. Elliott
4. They loathed to drink
5. Thier land brought - A. Stafford
6. He spake the word
7. He gave them hailstones
8. He sent a thick darkness
9. He smote all the first-born
10. But as for His people
11. Egypt was glad
12. He rubuked the Red Sea
13. He led them
14. But the waters
15. And Isreal saw
16. And believed the Lord
17. Moses & the children
18. I will sing
19. The Lord is my strength - J. Knibbs/M. Troth
20. He is my God
21. I will exault him
22. The Lord is a man of war - S. Varcoe/C. Stewart
23. The depths have covered them
24. Thy right hand
25. And in the greatness
26. Thou sentest forth
27. ANd with the blast
28. The enemy said - W. Kendall
29. Thou didst blow - D. Greene

Tracks:

30. Who is like unto Thee
31. The earth swallowed them
32. Thou is thy mercy - B. Gordon/P. Elliott
33. The people shall hear
34. Thou shalt bring - J. Clarkson
35. The Lord shall reign
36. For the horse of Pharoah - P. Elliott
37. The Lord shall reign
38. And Miriam the prophetess - P. Elliott
39. Sing ye to the Lord, for he hath triumphed gloriously!/The Lord shall reign... - E. Priday/Monterverdi Chor
Sinfonia
1. The ways of Zion
2. How are the mighty fall'n!
3. She put on righteousness
4. When the ear heard her
5. How are the mighty fall'n!
6. She deliver'd the poor!
7. How are the mighty fall'n!
8. The righteous shall be had
9. Thier bodies are buried in peace
10. The people will tell
11. They shall receive a glorious kingdom - Solisten
12. The merciful goodness of the Lord

Amazon.com essential recording

Because Handel's Israel in Egypt was so short, he prefaced it in later performances with an arrangement of The Ways of Zion Do Mourn, also known as the Funeral Anthem for Queen Caroline. Putting a half-hour of gloom and misery at the start really didn't help matters much, so here John Eliot Gardiner gives you the original funeral anthem, and if you want to hear it first, you can. Otherwise, you get a vigorous and exciting performance of Israel in Egypt, better in fact than his Philips rerecording. --David Hurwitz

Amazon.com

Handel's epic oratorio, Israel in Egypt, here in a gripping performance by John Eliot Gardiner and the Monteverdi Choir and Orchestra, was a failure during Handel's lifetime. This was perhaps because of its immense variety of compositional techniques and forms. It is a virtual catalog of choral compositional methods, and thus stands outside the genre of 18th-century oratorio as such. Now, of course, it is recognized as what it is, a unique, dazzling work. --Joshua Cody

Customer Reviews:

A Handelian Delight.......2004-06-28

It truly is unfortunate that the premier performance of this work is no longer available, or so it appears. Musical Heritage Society may still have it in its catalog, and if so, then it'd be worth picking up. If not, then one can only hope that it eventually gets rereleased on a budget label or appears used on Ebay, as it easily surpasses anything else out there, including Gardiner's later version with the English Baroque Soloists on Philips. I have two copies of the LP version, and they are both beginning to wear thin from repeated playing. A Handelian delight.

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