Immerse yourself in the resplendent world of Baroque choral masterpieces with this exquisite collection of works by George Frideric Handel. Recorded in 1999 by the esteemed Les Musiciens du Louvre under the baton of Marc Minkowski, this album showcases some of Handel's most celebrated compositions, each a testament to his genius and the opulence of the Baroque era.
At the heart of this collection is the exhilarating "Dixit Dominus," Handel's earliest choral masterpiece, composed in Rome in 1707. This work, scored for five vocal parts and orchestra, is a thrilling blend of virtuosity and finesse, with its dramatic string chords and impassioned choral passages. Also included is the motet "Saeviat tellus," a stunning soprano showpiece that highlights the vocal prowess of the featured soloists.
The album also features the radiant "Laudate pueri," a psalm setting that exemplifies Handel's ability to craft music of both grandeur and intimacy. The "Salve Regina," another soprano highlight, is a tender and devout anthem, showcasing the beauty of the human voice in all its glory.
Each track is performed with precision and passion by an ensemble of renowned vocalists, including Annick Massis, Magdalena Kozena, and Sara Fulgoni, among others. The orchestral accompaniment by Les Musiciens du Louvre is equally impressive, providing a rich and vibrant backdrop to the vocal performances. With a total duration of 1 hour and 18 minutes, this album is a comprehensive exploration of Handel's choral and operatic genius, recorded to the highest standards by Archiv Produktion. Whether you're a seasoned classical enthusiast or a newcomer to the genre, this album promises an unforgettable journey through the golden age of Baroque music.
Saeviat tellus inter rigores, HWV 240: I. Saeviat tellus inter rigoresGeorge Frideric Handel, Annick Massis, Les Musiciens du Louvre, Marc Minkowski
Saeviat tellus inter rigores, HWV 240: II. Recit. Carmelitarum ut confirmet ordinemGeorge Frideric Handel, Annick Massis, Les Musiciens du Louvre, Marc Minkowski
Saeviat tellus inter rigores, HWV 240: III. O nox dulcis, quies serenaGeorge Frideric Handel, Annick Massis, Les Musiciens du Louvre, Marc Minkowski
Saeviat tellus inter rigores, HWV 240: IV. Stellae fidae vobis sit curaGeorge Frideric Handel, Annick Massis, Les Musiciens du Louvre, Marc Minkowski
Saeviat tellus inter rigores, HWV 240: V. Recit. Sub tantae Virginis tutelaGeorge Frideric Handel, Annick Massis, Les Musiciens du Louvre, Marc Minkowski
Saeviat tellus inter rigores, HWV 240: VI. AlleluiaGeorge Frideric Handel, Annick Massis, Les Musiciens du Louvre, Marc Minkowski
Laudate pueri Dominum, HWV 237: I. Aria & Chorus. Laudate pueri DominumGeorge Frideric Handel, Magdalena Kožená, Yann Miriel, Les Musiciens du Louvre, Marc Minkowski, Chorus Of Les Musiciens Du Louvre
Laudate pueri Dominum, HWV 237: II. Aria. Sit nomen DominiGeorge Frideric Handel, Magdalena Kožená, Yann Miriel, Les Musiciens du Louvre, Marc Minkowski
Laudate pueri Dominum, HWV 237: III. Solo & Chorus. A solis ortu usque ad occasumGeorge Frideric Handel, Magdalena Kožená, Yann Miriel, Les Musiciens du Louvre, Marc Minkowski, Chorus Of Les Musiciens Du Louvre
Laudate pueri Dominum, HWV 237: IV. Aria. Excelsus super omnes gentes DominusGeorge Frideric Handel, Magdalena Kožená, Yann Miriel, Les Musiciens du Louvre, Marc Minkowski
Laudate pueri Dominum, HWV 237: V. Chorus. Quis sicut DominusGeorge Frideric Handel, Yann Miriel, Les Musiciens du Louvre, Marc Minkowski, Chorus Of Les Musiciens Du Louvre
Laudate pueri Dominum, HWV 237: VI. Aria. Suscitans a terra inopemGeorge Frideric Handel, Magdalena Kožená, Yann Miriel, Les Musiciens du Louvre, Marc Minkowski
Laudate pueri Dominum, HWV 237: VII. Aria. Qui habitare facitGeorge Frideric Handel, Magdalena Kožená, Yann Miriel, Les Musiciens du Louvre, Marc Minkowski
Laudate pueri Dominum, HWV 237: VIII. Solo & Chorus. Gloria PatriGeorge Frideric Handel, Magdalena Kožená, Yann Miriel, Les Musiciens du Louvre, Marc Minkowski, Chorus Of Les Musiciens Du Louvre
Salve Regina, HWV 241: I. Salve ReginaGeorge Frideric Handel, Magdalena Kožená, Mirella Giardelli, Les Musiciens du Louvre, Marc Minkowski
Salve Regina, HWV 241: II. Ad te clamamusGeorge Frideric Handel, Magdalena Kožená, Mirella Giardelli, Les Musiciens du Louvre, Marc Minkowski
Salve Regina, HWV 241: III. Eia ergo, advocata nostroGeorge Frideric Handel, Magdalena Kožená, Mirella Giardelli, Les Musiciens du Louvre, Marc Minkowski
Salve Regina, HWV 241: IV. O clemens, o piaGeorge Frideric Handel, Magdalena Kožená, Mirella Giardelli, Les Musiciens du Louvre, Marc Minkowski
Dixit Dominus, HWV 232: 1. Dixit DominusGeorge Frideric Handel, Les Musiciens du Louvre, Marc Minkowski, Chorus Of Les Musiciens Du Louvre
Dixit Dominus, HWV 232: 2. Virgam virtutis tuaeGeorge Frideric Handel, Sara Fulgoni, Les Musiciens du Louvre, Marc Minkowski
Dixit Dominus, HWV 232: 3. Tecum principium in die virtutisGeorge Frideric Handel, Annick Massis, Les Musiciens du Louvre, Marc Minkowski
Dixit Dominus, HWV 232: 4. Juravit DominusGeorge Frideric Handel, Les Musiciens du Louvre, Marc Minkowski, Chorus Of Les Musiciens Du Louvre
Dixit Dominus, HWV 232: 5. Tu es sacerdos in aeternumGeorge Frideric Handel, Les Musiciens du Louvre, Marc Minkowski, Chorus Of Les Musiciens Du Louvre
Dixit Dominus, HWV 232: 6. Dominus a dextris tuisGeorge Frideric Handel, Annick Massis, Magdalena Kožená, Patrick Henckens, Kevin McLean-Mair, Marcos Pujol, Les Musiciens du Louvre, Marc Minkowski, Chorus Of Les Musiciens Du Louvre
Dixit Dominus, HWV 232: 7. De torrente in via bibetGeorge Frideric Handel, Annick Massis, Magdalena Kožená, Les Musiciens du Louvre, Marc Minkowski, Chorus Of Les Musiciens Du Louvre, Sébastian Rouland
Dixit Dominus, HWV 232: 8. Gloria Patri, et FilioGeorge Frideric Handel, Les Musiciens du Louvre, Marc Minkowski, Chorus Of Les Musiciens Du Louvre
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.
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George Frideric Handel
