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George Frideric Handel, Jürgen Budday, Hannoversche Hofkapelle
George Frideric Handel: Oratorio SAUL
Genre: Classical

Track Listings (27) - Disc #1
1. Allegro - Larghetto - Allegro
2. How Excellent Thy Name, O Lord
3. An Infant Rais'd By Thy Command
4. The Youth Inspir'd By Thee, O Lord
5. How Excellent Thy Name, O Lord
6. He Comes, He Comes!
7. Behold, O King, The Brave Victorious Youth
8. O King, Your Favours With Delight I Take
9. O Early Piety!
10. Yet Think, On Whom This Honour You Bestow
11. See, See, With What A Scornful Ait
12. Andante Allegro
13. Welcome, Welcome, Mighty King!
14. What Do I Hear?
15. To Him Ten Thousands Slew
16. Imprudent Women!
17. Fell Rage And Black Despair Possest
18. Rack''d With Infernal Pains
19. O Lord, Whose Mercies Numberless
20. 'Tis All In Vain
21. Has He Escap'd My Rage?
22. O Filial Piety!
23. No, No Cruel Father, No!
24. O Lord, Whose Providence Ever Wakes For Their Defe
25. Preserve Him For The Glory Of Thy Name
26. Envy! Eldestborn Of Hell!
27. Ah, Dearest Friend
Track Listings (33) - Disc #2
1. My Father Comes
2. Hast Thou Obey'd My Order
3. As Great Jehovah Lives
4. From Cities Storm'd And Battles Won
5. Appear, My Friend
6. Yes, He Shall We My Daughter!
7. A Father's Will
8. Is There A Man
9. Largo - Allegro
10. Thy Father Is As Cruel
11. Whom Dost Thou Seek?
12. Mean As He Was
13. Author Of Peace
14. Allegro
15. The Time At Length Is Come
16. Where Is The Son Of Jesse?
17. Wretch That I Am
18. 'Tis Said, Here Lives A Woman
19. With me What Would'st Thou?
20. Infernal Spirits
21. Why Hast Thou Forc'd Me From The Realms Of Peace
22. Allegro
23. Whence Comest Thou?
24. Impious Wretch, Of Race Accurst
25. Grave - Largo E Staccato
26. Mourn, Israel
27. From This Unhappy Day
28. Brave Jonathan His Bo Ne'er Drew
29. Eagles Were Not So Swift As They
30. In Sweetest Harmony
31. O Fata Day!
32. Ye Men Of Judah, Weep No More!
33. Gird On Thy Sword

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CD Details

All Artists: George Frideric Handel, Jürgen Budday, Hannoversche Hofkapelle, Steffen Balbach, Stephen Varcoe, Laurie Reviol, Nancy Argenta, Mark Le Brocq, Michael Berner, Maulbronn Chamber Choir
Title: George Frideric Handel: Oratorio SAUL
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 0
Label: K&K Verlagsanstalt
Original Release Date: 10/21/2003
Release Date: 10/21/2003
Genre: Classical
Styles: Opera & Classical Vocal, Historical Periods, Baroque (c.1600-1750), Symphonies
Number of Discs: 2
SwapaCD Credits: 2
UPC: 803680298329

Synopsis

Album Description

This recording is part of a cycle of old testament oratorios by G. F. Handel and is one of the many concerts performed at Maulbronn monastery over the past years. The Maulbronn monastery, founded by Cistercian monks in the year 1147, is the only completely preserved mediaeval complex north of the Alps and since 1994 as the 13th German site on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The series of recordings combines authentically performed baroque oratorios with the optimal acoustics and atmosphere of this unique monastic church. This ideal location demands the transparency of playing and the interpretive unveiling of the rhetoric intimations of the composition, which is especially aided by the historically authentic performance. The music is exclusively performed on reconstructed historical instruments, which are tuned to the pitch customary in the composers lifetime (a = c. 415 Hz). Soloists: Nancy Argenta ? Sopran (Michal), Laurie Reviol ? Sopran (Merab), Michael Chance ? Altus (David), Mark LeBrocq ? Tenor (Jonathan), Michael Berner ? Tenor (Abner, Hoherpriester, Hexe von Endor, Amalikter), Stephen Varcoe - Bass (Saul), Steffen Balbach ? Bass (Samuel, Doeg) Ensembles: Hannoversche Hofkapelle (on period instruments), Maulbronn Chamber Choir Conductor: Jürgen Budday

CD Reviews

A voice teacher and early music fan

George Peabody | Planet Earth | 01/06/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A LIVE PERFORMANCE ENHANCES THE EXCITEMENT OF BOTH PERFORMERS AND LISTENERS!

I've just finished listening to Saul for the first time. It has left me breathless with it's drama and excellent singing! The fact that this is a LIVE performance makes it all the more exciting to hear!!!!The performers and conductor are all 'up' for a live situation, and it definitely shows in their output. If small defects creep in, or not, it doesn't disturb or distress because the listener is totally involved with the existing emotion.

I suggest that before you listen to it you should read up on the story of Saul in the books of Samuel in the old testament. Handel's knowledge of the bible is displayed in his ability to choose biblical characters who were colorful and led exciting lives and performed great deeds. The story of Saul also must include the story of David and Jonathan whose friendship was legendary.

This story has so much drama and excitement such as Saul's love-hate relationship with David; Jonathan's defense of David defying his father's instruction to kill David. Saul's fear that God has abandoned him causing him to visit the Witch of Endor asking her to bring Samuel out of his grave so that he may get his advise. And finally the the death of Jonathan on the battlefield sending David into deep sorrow and depression.. Picture all of this drama described musically as only Handel would do, and you have marvelous musical sounds.

The accompanying booklet is in German except for the first line of each aria which is in English, but all the singers are quite understandable. I was totally impressed by Stephan Varcoe's Saul; he was marvelous in the role both vocally and dramatically! But my favorite aria sung magnificently by Michael Chance as David was "O Lord, whose Mercies numberless". He absolutely outdid himself througout the entire production. Nancy Argenta in the role of Michel(Saul's daugher) does her usual skillful and dramatic singing. If I could give this l0 stars I would do so."