Immerse yourself in the timeless beauty of George Frideric Handel's "Esther, HWV 50b," a captivating oratorio that transports you to the royal courts of 4th century B.C. Persia. This exquisite composition, released on SOMM Recordings in 2014, is a masterful blend of classical, choral, and operatic elements that showcase Handel's unparalleled musical genius.
Spanning over two hours, this album is a journey through the biblical story of Esther, filled with moments of tender intimacy and dramatic intensity. The overture sets the stage with its majestic Andante and spirited Allegro, while the subsequent acts weave a tapestry of intricate arias, duets, and choral pieces that bring the narrative to life. From the soothing melodies of "Breathe soft ye gales" to the triumphant chorus "He comes! He comes to end our woes," each track is a testament to Handel's ability to evoke a wide range of emotions.
The album features some of Handel's most celebrated compositions, including the hauntingly beautiful duet "Who calls my parting soul from death?" and the powerful aria "Flatt'ring tongue, no more I hear thee." The choral works, such as "My heart is inditing" and "Blessed are they that fear the Lord," demonstrate Handel's mastery of choral writing, creating a rich and immersive sound that resonates long after the final note fades away.
"Esther, HWV 50b" is not just an album; it's an experience that invites you to explore the depths of Handel's musical storytelling. Whether you're a seasoned classical enthusiast or a newcomer to the world of oratorios, this album offers a rich and rewarding listening experience that highlights the enduring appeal of Handel's music. Dive into the world of "Esther" and discover the timeless beauty of one of Handel's most celebrated works.
2014 SOMM Recordings2014 SOMM Recordings
Tracks
Esther, HWV 50b: Overture. Andante - Larghetto - AllegroGeorge Frideric Handel, Laurence Cummings, The London Handel Orchestra
Esther, HWV 50b, Act I Scene 1: Breathe soft ye gales (Israelite Woman)George Frideric Handel, Laurence Cummings, Rebecca Outram, The London Handel Orchestra
Esther, HWV 50b, Act I Scene 1: Watchful angels (Israelite Woman)George Frideric Handel, Laurence Cummings, Rebecca Outram, The London Handel Orchestra
Esther, HWV 50b, Act I Scene 1: O King of kings, celestial Lord! (Esther)George Frideric Handel, Laurence Cummings, Rosemary Joshua, The London Handel Orchestra
Esther, HWV 50b, Act I Scene 1: Alleluia (Esther)George Frideric Handel, Laurence Cummings, Rosemary Joshua, The London Handel Orchestra
Esther, HWV 50b, Act I Scene 1: With transport, lovely queen (Mordecai)George Frideric Handel, Laurence Cummings, Susan Bickley, The London Handel Orchestra
Esther, HWV 50b, Act I Scene 1: So much beauty sweetly blooming (Mordecai)George Frideric Handel, Laurence Cummings, Susan Bickley, The London Handel Orchestra
Esther, HWV 50b, Act I Scene 1: Again shall Salem, to the skies (Mordecai)George Frideric Handel, Laurence Cummings, Susan Bickley, The London Handel Orchestra
Esther, HWV 50b, Act I Scene 1: My heart is inditing (Chorus)George Frideric Handel, Laurence Cummings, London Handel Choir, The London Handel Orchestra
Esther, HWV 50b, Act I Scene 1: Kings' daughters (Chorus)George Frideric Handel, Laurence Cummings, London Handel Choir, The London Handel Orchestra
Esther, HWV 50b, Act I Scene 1: Upon the right hand (Chorus)George Frideric Handel, Laurence Cummings, London Handel Choir, The London Handel Orchestra
Esther, HWV 50b, Act I Scene 1: Kings shall be thy nursing fathers (Chorus)George Frideric Handel, Laurence Cummings, London Handel Choir, The London Handel Orchestra
Esther, HWV 50b, Act I Scene 2: Let me with freedom thy petition know (Ahasuerus)George Frideric Handel, Laurence Cummings, James Bowman, The London Handel Orchestra
Esther, HWV 50b, Act I Scene 2: Endless fame (Ahasuerus)George Frideric Handel, Laurence Cummings, James Bowman, The London Handel Orchestra
Esther, HWV 50b, Act I Scene 3: 'Tis greater far to spare (Harbonah)George Frideric Handel, Laurence Cummings, Angus Smith, The London Handel Orchestra
Esther, HWV 50b, Act I Scene 3: Pluck root and branch (Harman)George Frideric Handel, Laurence Cummings, Christopher Purves, The London Handel Orchestra
Esther, HWV 50b, Act I Scene 3: Our souls with ardour glow (Officer)George Frideric Handel, Laurence Cummings, Christopher Watson, The London Handel Orchestra
Esther, HWV 50b, Act I Scene 3: Shall we the God of Israel fear (Chorus)George Frideric Handel, Laurence Cummings, London Handel Choir, The London Handel Orchestra
Esther, HWV 50b, Act I Scene 4: Jerusalem no more shall mourn (First Israelite)George Frideric Handel, Laurence Cummings, Andrew Kennedy, The London Handel Orchestra
Esther, HWV 50b, Act I Scene 4: Tune your harps to cheerful strains (Israelite Woman)George Frideric Handel, Laurence Cummings, Rebecca Outram, The London Handel Orchestra
Esther, HWV 50b, Act I Scene 4: Shall we of servitude complain (Second Israelite)George Frideric Handel, Laurence Cummings, Cecilia Osmond, The London Handel Orchestra
Esther, HWV 50b, Act I Scene 4: Praise the Lord with cheerful noise (Israelite Woman)George Frideric Handel, Laurence Cummings, Rebecca Outram, The London Handel Orchestra
Esther, HWV 50b, Act I Scene 5: How have our sins provok'd the Lord! (Mordecai)George Frideric Handel, Laurence Cummings, Susan Bickley, The London Handel Orchestra
Esther, HWV 50b, Act I Scene 5: Ye sons of Israel, mourn (Chorus) [1]George Frideric Handel, Laurence Cummings, London Handel Choir, The London Handel Orchestra
Esther, HWV 50b, Act I Scene 5: O Jordan, Jordan, sacred tide! (Mordecai)George Frideric Handel, Laurence Cummings, Susan Bickley, The London Handel Orchestra
Esther, HWV 50b, Act I Scene 5: Ye sons of Israel, mourn (Chorus) [2]George Frideric Handel, Laurence Cummings, London Handel Choir, The London Handel Orchestra
Esther, HWV 50b, Act II Scene 1: Tyrants may awhile presume (Chorus)George Frideric Handel, Laurence Cummings, London Handel Choir, The London Handel Orchestra
Esther, HWV 50b, Act II Scene 2: Why sits that sorrow on thy brow? (Esther)George Frideric Handel, Laurence Cummings, Rosemary Joshua, The London Handel Orchestra
Esther, HWV 50b, Act II Scene 2: Dread not, righteous Queen (Modecai)George Frideric Handel, Laurence Cummings, Susan Bickley, The London Handel Orchestra
Esther, HWV 50b, Act II Scene 2: O heaven, protect her (Israelite Woman)George Frideric Handel, Laurence Cummings, Rebecca Outram, The London Handel Orchestra
Esther, HWV 50b, Act II Scene 2: Duet. Blessings descend on downy wings (Israelite Woman, Mordecai)George Frideric Handel, Laurence Cummings, Rebecca Outram, Susan Bickley, The London Handel Orchestra
Esther, HWV 50b, Act II Scene 2: I go, the pow'r of grief to prove (Esther)George Frideric Handel, Rosemary Joshua, Laurence Cummings, The London Handel Orchestra
Esther, HWV 50b, Act II Scene 2: Tears assist me, pity moving (Esther)George Frideric Handel, Rosemary Joshua, Laurence Cummings, The London Handel Orchestra
Esther, HWV 50b, Act II Scene 2: Save us, O Lord! (Chorus)George Frideric Handel, Laurence Cummings, London Handel Choir, The London Handel Orchestra
Esther, HWV 50b, Act II Scene 3: Who dares intrude into our presence (Ahasuerus)George Frideric Handel, Laurence Cummings, James Bowman, The London Handel Orchestra
Esther, HWV 50b, Act II Scene 3: Duet. Who calls my parting soul from death? (Esther, Ahasuerus)George Frideric Handel, Laurence Cummings, Rosemary Joshua, James Bowman, The London Handel Orchestra
Esther, HWV 50b, Act II Scene 3: O beauteous queen, unclose those eyes (Ahasuerus)George Frideric Handel, Laurence Cummings, James Bowman, The London Handel Orchestra
Esther, HWV 50b, Act II Scene 3: I find favour in thy sight (Esther)George Frideric Handel, Laurence Cummings, Rosemary Joshua, The London Handel Orchestra
Esther, HWV 50b, Act II Scene 3: How can I stay when love invites? (Esther)George Frideric Handel, Laurence Cummings, Rosemary Joshua, The London Handel Orchestra
Esther, HWV 50b, Act II Scene 4: With inward joy his visage glows (First Israelite)George Frideric Handel, Laurence Cummings, Andrew Kennedy, The London Handel Orchestra
Esther, HWV 50b, Act II Scene 4: Heav'n has lent her ev'ry charm (Israelite Woman)George Frideric Handel, Laurence Cummings, Rebecca Outram, The London Handel Orchestra
Esther, HWV 50b, Act II Scene 4: The king will listen to the royal fair (First Israelite)George Frideric Handel, Laurence Cummings, Andrew Kennedy, The London Handel Orchestra
Esther, HWV 50b, Act II Scene 4: Blessed are they that fear the Lord (Chorus)George Frideric Handel, Laurence Cummings, London Handel Choir, The London Handel Orchestra
Esther, HWV 50b, Act III Scene 1: Jehovah crown'd with glory bright (Mordecai)George Frideric Handel, Laurence Cummings, Susan Bickley, The London Handel Orchestra
Esther, HWV 50b, Act III Scene 1: He comes! He comes to end our woes (Chorus)George Frideric Handel, Laurence Cummings, London Handel Choir, The London Handel Orchestra
Esther, HWV 50b, Act III Scene 2: Now O my queen, thy suit declare (Ahasuerus)George Frideric Handel, Laurence Cummings, James Bowman, The London Handel Orchestra
Esther, HWV 50b, Act III Scene 2: Turn not, O queen, thy face away (Haman)George Frideric Handel, Laurence Cummings, Christopher Purves, The London Handel Orchestra
Esther, HWV 50b, Act III Scene 2: Flatt'ring tongue, no more I hear thee (Esther)George Frideric Handel, Laurence Cummings, Rosemary Joshua, The London Handel Orchestra
Esther, HWV 50b, Act III Scene 2: Guards, seize the traitor (Ahasuerus)George Frideric Handel, Laurence Cummings, James Bowman, The London Handel Orchestra
Esther, HWV 50b, Act III Scene 2: Through the nation he shall be (Ahasuerus)George Frideric Handel, Laurence Cummings, James Bowman, The London Handel 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.
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George Frideric Handel
