Immerse yourself in the timeless genius of George Frideric Handel with this exquisite collection of choral masterpieces, performed by the renowned Choir of King's College, Cambridge. Released on Warner Classics, this album is a celebration of Handel's enduring legacy, featuring a diverse array of works that showcase the composer's unparalleled skill and innovation.
Spanning a generous 2 hours and 6 minutes, the album includes 40 tracks that span Handel's most beloved compositions. From the iconic choruses of "Messiah" to the regal grandeur of his coronation anthems, and the dramatic intensity of his oratorios, each piece is a testament to Handel's ability to evoke profound emotions and inspire awe.
The album opens with selections from Handel's most famous oratorio, "Messiah," including the triumphant "Hallelujah" chorus and the joyous "For Unto Us a Child Is Born." These performances are complemented by excerpts from other major works such as "Saul," "Alexander's Feast," and the lesser-known but equally captivating "The Choice of Hercules."
In addition to these oratorios, the album features Handel's coronation anthems, which have been performed at the coronations of British monarchs for centuries. These anthems, including "Zadok the Priest" and "The King Shall Rejoice," are performed with a sense of pomp and ceremony that befits their royal heritage.
The Choir of King's College, Cambridge, is joined by some of the most distinguished soloists and orchestras of the era, including the English Chamber Orchestra and the Academy of St Martin in the Fields. Their collective expertise brings a richness and depth to the performances, ensuring that every note resonates with clarity and precision.
This album is not just a collection of Handel's greatest hits; it is a comprehensive exploration of his choral works, offering a deep dive into the composer's artistic vision. Whether you are a seasoned Handel enthusiast or a newcomer to his music, this album is sure to captivate and inspire. The Choir of King's College, Cambridge, delivers a performance that is both technically flawless and deeply expressive, making this album a true gem in the world of classical music.
Handel: Messiah, HWV 56, Pt. 1, Scene 1: Chorus. "And the Glory, the Glory of the Lord"George Frideric Handel, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, Stephen Cleobury, Academy of Ancient Music
Handel: Messiah, HWV 56, Pt. 1, Scene 2: Chorus. "And He Shall Purify"George Frideric Handel, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, Stephen Cleobury, Academy of Ancient Music
Handel: Messiah, HWV 56, Pt. 1, Scene 3: Chorus. "For Unto Us a Child Is Born"George Frideric Handel, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, Stephen Cleobury, Academy of Ancient Music
Handel: Messiah, HWV 56, Pt. 1, Scene 5: Chorus. "His Yoke Is Easy"George Frideric Handel, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, Stephen Cleobury, Academy of Ancient Music
Handel: Messiah, HWV 56, Pt. 2, Scene 1: Chorus. "Behold the Lamb of God"George Frideric Handel, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, Stephen Cleobury, Academy of Ancient Music
Handel: Messiah, HWV 56, Pt. 2, Scene 3: Chorus. "Lift Up Your Heads"George Frideric Handel, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, Stephen Cleobury, Academy of Ancient Music
Handel: Messiah, HWV 56, Pt. 2, Scene 7: Chorus. "Hallelujah"George Frideric Handel, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, Stephen Cleobury, Academy of Ancient Music
Handel: Messiah, HWV 56, Pt. 3, Scene 4: Chorus. "Amen"George Frideric Handel, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, Stephen Cleobury, Academy of Ancient Music
Handel: Coronation Anthem No. 1, HWV 258 "Zadok the Priest": I. Zadok the PriestGeorge Frideric Handel, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, Academy of Ancient Music, Stephen Cleobury
Handel: Coronation Anthem No. 1, HWV 258 "Zadok the Priest": II. And All the People RejoicedGeorge Frideric Handel, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, Academy of Ancient Music, Stephen Cleobury
Handel: Coronation Anthem No. 1, HWV 258 "Zadok the Priest": III. God Save the KingGeorge Frideric Handel, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, Academy of Ancient Music, Stephen Cleobury
Handel: Coronation Anthem No. 4, HWV 261 "My Heart Is Inditing": I. My Heart Is InditingGeorge Frideric Handel, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, Academy of Ancient Music, Stephen Cleobury
Handel: Coronation Anthem No. 4, HWV 261 "My Heart Is Inditing": II. King's DaughtersGeorge Frideric Handel, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, Academy of Ancient Music, Stephen Cleobury
Handel: Coronation Anthem No. 4, HWV 261 "My Heart Is Inditing": III. Upon Thy HandGeorge Frideric Handel, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, Academy of Ancient Music, Stephen Cleobury
Handel: Coronation Anthem No. 4, HWV 261 "My Heart Is Inditing": IV. Kings Shall Be Thy Nursing FathersGeorge Frideric Handel, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, Academy of Ancient Music, Stephen Cleobury
Handel: Alexander's Feast, HWV 75, Pt. 1: Chorus. "The List'ning Crowd Admire the Lofty Sound"George Frideric Handel, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, Philip Ledger, English Chamber Orchestra
Handel: Alexander's Feast, HWV 75, Pt. 1: Chorus. "Behold Darius Great and Good"George Frideric Handel, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, Philip Ledger, English Chamber Orchestra
Handel: Alexander's Feast, HWV 75, Pt. 2: Chorus. "Your Voices Tune and Raise"George Frideric Handel, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, Philip Ledger, English Chamber Orchestra
Handel: Coronation Anthem No. 3, HWV 260 "The King Shall Rejoice": I. The King Shall RejoiceGeorge Frideric Handel, Philip Ledger, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, English Chamber Orchestra
Handel: Coronation Anthem No. 3, HWV 260 "The King Shall Rejoice": II. Exceeding Glad Shall He BeGeorge Frideric Handel, Philip Ledger, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, English Chamber Orchestra
Handel: Coronation Anthem No. 3, HWV 260 "The King Shall Rejoice": III. Glory and Great WorshipGeorge Frideric Handel, Philip Ledger, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, English Chamber Orchestra
Handel: Coronation Anthem No. 3, HWV 260 "The King Shall Rejoice": IV. Thou Hast Prevented HimGeorge Frideric Handel, Philip Ledger, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, English Chamber Orchestra
Handel: Coronation Anthem No. 3, HWV 260 "The King Shall Rejoice": V. AllelujaGeorge Frideric Handel, Philip Ledger, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, English Chamber Orchestra
Handel: Dixit Dominus, HWV 232: I. Dixit Dominus, Domino meoGeorge Frideric Handel, Sir David Willcocks, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, Martin Lane, Robert Tear, Teresa Żylis-Gara, English Chamber Orchestra
Handel: Dixit Dominus, HWV 232: II. Virgam virtutis tuaeGeorge Frideric Handel, Sir David Willcocks, Martin Lane, English Chamber Orchestra
Handel: Dixit Dominus, HWV 232: III. Tecum principiumGeorge Frideric Handel, Sir David Willcocks, Teresa Żylis-Gara, English Chamber Orchestra
Handel: Dixit Dominus, HWV 232: IV. Juravit DominusGeorge Frideric Handel, Sir David Willcocks, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, English Chamber Orchestra
Handel: Dixit Dominus, HWV 232: V. Secundum ordinem MelchisedechGeorge Frideric Handel, Sir David Willcocks, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, English Chamber Orchestra
Handel: Dixit Dominus, HWV 232: VI. Dominus a dextris tuisGeorge Frideric Handel, Sir David Willcocks, Janet Baker, John Shirley-Quirk, Robert Tear, Teresa Żylis-Gara, English Chamber Orchestra
Handel: Dixit Dominus, HWV 232: VII. De torrente in via bibetGeorge Frideric Handel, Sir David Willcocks, Janet Baker, Teresa Żylis-Gara, English Chamber Orchestra
Handel: Dixit Dominus, HWV 232: VIII. Gloria Patri et FilioGeorge Frideric Handel, Sir David Willcocks, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, English Chamber Orchestra
Handel: The Choice of Hercules, HWV 69: Chorus. "Arise, Arise" (Chorus)George Frideric Handel, Philip Ledger, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Handel: The Choice of Hercules, HWV 69: Chorus. "Virtue Will Place Thee"George Frideric Handel, Philip Ledger, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Handel: Saul, HWV 53, Act 1 Scene 1: Chorus. "The Youth Inspired by Thee, Oh Lord" (Israelites)George Frideric Handel, Philip Ledger, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, English Chamber Orchestra
Handel: Saul, HWV 53, Act 1 Scene 1: Chorus. "Hallelujah" (Israelites)George Frideric Handel, Philip Ledger, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, English Chamber Orchestra
Handel: Saul, HWV 53, Act 1 Scene 3: Chorus. "Welcome, Welcome, Mighty King!" (Israelites)George Frideric Handel, Philip Ledger, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, English Chamber Orchestra
Handel: Saul, HWV 53, Act 1 Scene 3: Accompagnato. "What Do I Hear?" (Saul)George Frideric Handel, Philip Ledger, Thomas Allen, English Chamber Orchestra
Handel: Saul, HWV 53, Act 1 Scene 3: Chorus. "David His Ten Thousands Slew" (Israelites)George Frideric Handel, Philip Ledger, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, English Chamber Orchestra
Handel: Saul, HWV 53, Act 3 Scene 5: Chorus. "Mourn, Israel" (Israelites)George Frideric Handel, Philip Ledger, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, English Chamber Orchestra
Handel: Saul, HWV 53, Act 3 Scene 5: Chorus. "Gird on Thy Sword" (Israelites)George Frideric Handel, Philip Ledger, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, English Chamber Orchestra
George Frideric Handel, born in 1685 in Halle, Germany, is one of the most celebrated composers of the Baroque era, renowned for his enduring influence on classical music. His prolific career spanned various genres, including operas, oratorios, anthems, and concerti grossi. Handel's compositions, such as the iconic 'Water Music' and 'Music for the Royal Fireworks', continue to captivate audiences today. After settling in London in 1712, he became a prominent figure in British musical life, leaving an indelible mark on the country's cultural landscape. Handel's works are celebrated for their grandeur and emotional depth, making him a cornerstone of the Baroque period and a symbol of European musical heritage. His final resting place is in the south transept of Westminster Abbey, a testament to his enduring legacy.