Immerse yourself in the profound and stirring world of George Frideric Handel's final oratorio, "Jephtha," a masterful blend of choral and operatic brilliance that showcases the composer's unparalleled genius. This three-act oratorio, released on Brilliant Classics, is a testament to Handel's enduring legacy, offering over two hours of captivating music that seamlessly weaves together dramatic recitatives, arias, and choral pieces.
"Jephtha" tells the ancient tale of Jephtha, a man who, in a desperate plea to God, vows to sacrifice the first person he encounters upon his return from battle. This powerful narrative is brought to life through Handel's evocative score, featuring a rich tapestry of musical styles and themes that reflect the depth and complexity of the story.
The album features a stellar cast of soloists, including James Gilchrist as Jephtha, Susan Bickley as Storge, and Christiane Oelze as Iphis, among others. Accompanied by the Stavanger Symphony Orchestra and Collegium Vocale Gent, under the direction of Fabio Biondi, the performance is both dynamic and nuanced, capturing the essence of Handel's vision.
From the stirring overture to the poignant arias and the grand choruses, "Jephtha" is a journey through the highs and lows of human experience, exploring themes of faith, sacrifice, and redemption. The album's meticulous attention to detail and the exceptional performances make it a standout addition to any classical music collection.
Experience the timeless beauty of Handel's "Jephtha," a work that continues to resonate with audiences centuries after its creation. This recording is a celebration of Handel's musical genius and a testament to the enduring power of his artistry.
2012 Brilliant Classics2013 Brilliant Classics
Tracks
Jeptha: OvertureGeorge Frideric Handel, Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin, Marcus Creed
Jeptha: MenuetGeorge Frideric Handel, Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin, Marcus Creed
Jeptha, Act 1 Scene 1: Accompagnato. "It Must Be So" (Zebul)George Frideric Handel, Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin, Marcus Creed
Jeptha, Act 1 Scene 1: Air. "Pour Forth No More Unheeded Prayr's" (Zebul)George Frideric Handel, Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin, Marcus Creed
Jeptha, Act 1 Scene 1: Chorus. "No More to Ammon's God and King"George Frideric Handel, RIAS Kammerchor, Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin, Marcus Creed
Jeptha, Act 1 Scene 2: Recitative. "But Jephtha Comes" (Zebul/Jephtha)George Frideric Handel, Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin, Marcus Creed
Jeptha, Act 1 Scene 2: Air. "Virtue My Soul Shall Still Embrace" (Jephtha)George Frideric Handel, Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin, Marcus Creed
Jeptha, Act 1 Scene 2: Recitative. "'Twill Be a Painful Separation" (Storgè)George Frideric Handel, Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin, Marcus Creed
Jeptha, Act 1 Scene 2: Air. "In Gentle Murmurs Will Mourn" (Storgè)George Frideric Handel, Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin, Marcus Creed
Jeptha, Act 1 Scene 3: Recitative. "Happy This Embassy, My Charming Iphis" (Hamor)George Frideric Handel, Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin, Marcus Creed
Jeptha, Act 1 Scene 3: Air. "Dull Delay, in Piercing Anguish" (Hamor)George Frideric Handel, Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin, Marcus Creed
Jeptha, Act 1 Scene 3: Recitative. "Ill Suits the Voice of Love" (Iphis)George Frideric Handel, Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin, Marcus Creed
Jeptha, Act 1 Scene 3: Air: "Take the Heart You Foundly Gave" (Iphis)George Frideric Handel, Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin, Marcus Creed
Jeptha, Act 1 Scene 3: Recitative. "I Go - My Soul Inspir'd by Thy Command" (Hamor)George Frideric Handel, Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin, Marcus Creed
Jeptha, Act 1 Scene 3: Duet. "These Labours Past, How Happy We" (Iphis/Hamor)George Frideric Handel, Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin, Marcus Creed
Jeptha, Act 1 Scene 4: Recitative. "What Mean These Doubtful Fancies" (Jephtha)George Frideric Handel, Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin, Marcus Creed
Jeptha, Act 1 Scene 4: Accompagnato. "If, Lord, Sustain'd by Thy Almighty Pow'r" (Jephtha) - Recitative. "'Tis Said. Attend, Ye Chiefs" [Jephtha]George Frideric Handel, Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin, Marcus Creed
Jeptha, Act 1 Scene 4: Chorus. "O God, Behold Our Sore Distress"George Frideric Handel, RIAS Kammerchor, Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin, Marcus Creed
Jeptha, Act 1 Scene 5: Recitative. "Some Dire Event Hangs o'er Our Heads" (Storgè)George Frideric Handel, Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin, Marcus Creed
Jeptha, Act 1 Scene 5: Air. "Scenes of Horror, Scenes of Woe" (Storgè)George Frideric Handel, Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin, Marcus Creed
Jeptha, Act 1 Scene 6: Recitative. "Say, My Dear Mother" (Iphis/Storgè)George Frideric Handel, Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin, Marcus Creed
Jeptha, Act 1 Scene 6: Air. "The Smiling Dawn of Happy Days" (Iphis)George Frideric Handel, Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin, Marcus Creed
Jeptha, Act 1 Scene 7: Recitative. "Such, Jephtha, Was the Haughty King's Reply" (Zebul/Jephtha)George Frideric Handel, Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin, Marcus Creed
Jeptha, Act 1 Scene 7: Chorus. "When His Loud Voice in Thunder Spoke"George Frideric Handel, RIAS Kammerchor, Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin, Marcus Creed
Jeptha, Act 2 Scene 1: Recitative. "Glad Tidings of Great Joy" (Hamor)George Frideric Handel, Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin, Marcus Creed
Jeptha, Act 2 Scene 1: Chorus. "Cherub and Seraphim, Unbodied Forms"George Frideric Handel, RIAS Kammerchor, Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin, Marcus Creed
Jeptha, Act 2 Scene 1: Air. "Up the Dreadful Steep Ascending" (Hamor)George Frideric Handel, Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin, Marcus Creed
Jeptha, Act 2 Scene 1: Recitative. "'Tis Well. Haste, Haste, Ye Maidens" (Iphis)George Frideric Handel, Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin, Marcus Creed
Jeptha, Act 2 Scene 1: Air. "Tune the Soft Melodious Lute" (Iphis)George Frideric Handel, Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin, Marcus Creed
Jeptha, Act 2 Scene 2: Recitative. "Heav'n Smiles Once More" (Jephtha)George Frideric Handel, Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin, Marcus Creed
Jeptha, Act 2 Scene 2: Air. "His Mighty Arm" (Jephtha)George Frideric Handel, Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin, Marcus Creed
Jeptha, Act 2 Scene 2: Chorus. "In Glory High"George Frideric Handel, RIAS Kammerchor, Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin, Marcus Creed
Jeptha, Act 2 Scene 3: SymphonyGeorge Frideric Handel, Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin, Marcus Creed
Jeptha, Act 2 Scene 3: Recitative. "Hail, Glorious Conqueror!" (Iphis)George Frideric Handel, Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin, Marcus Creed
Jeptha, Act 2 Scene 3: Air. "Welcome, As the Cheerful Light" (Iphis) - Chorus. "Welcome Thou, Whose Deeds Conspire"George Frideric Handel, RIAS Kammerchor, Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin, Marcus Creed
Jeptha, Act 2 Scene 3: Recitative. "Horror! Confusion!" (Jephtha)George Frideric Handel, Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin, Marcus Creed
Jeptha, Act 2 Scene 3: Air. "Open Thy Marble Jaws, O Tomb" (Jephtha)George Frideric Handel, Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin, Marcus Creed
Jeptha, Act 2 Scene 3: Recitative. "Why Is My Brother Thus Afflicted?" (Zebul/Jephtha)George Frideric Handel, Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin, Marcus Creed
Jeptha, Act 2 Scene 3: Accompagnato and Arioso. "First Perish Thou - Let Other Creatures" (Storgè)George Frideric Handel, Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin, Marcus Creed
Jeptha, Act 2 Scene 3: Recitative. "If Such Thy Cruel Purpose" (Hamor)George Frideric Handel, Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin, Marcus Creed
Jeptha, Act 2 Scene 3: Air. "On Me Let Blind Mistaken Zeal" (Hamor)George Frideric Handel, Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin, Marcus Creed
Jeptha, Act 2 Scene 3: Quartet. "O Spare Your Daughter!" (Storgè/Hamor/Jephtha/Zebul)George Frideric Handel, Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin, Marcus Creed
Jeptha, Act 2 Scene 4: Recitative. "Such News Flies Swift" (Iphis)George Frideric Handel, Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin, Marcus Creed
Jeptha, Act 2 Scene 4: Accompagnato. "For Joys So Vast" (Iphis)George Frideric Handel, Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin, Marcus Creed
Jeptha, Act 2 Scene 4: Air. "Happy They!" (Iphis)George Frideric Handel, Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin, Marcus Creed
Jeptha, Act 2 Scene 4: Accompagnato. "Deeper and Deeper Still" (Jephtha)George Frideric Handel, Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin, Marcus Creed
Jeptha, Act 2 Scene 4: Chorus. "How Dark, O Lord, Are Thy Decrees!George Frideric Handel, RIAS Kammerchor, Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin, Marcus Creed
Jeptha, Act 3 Scene 1: Arioso. "Hide Thou Thy Hated Beams" (Jephtha)George Frideric Handel, Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin, Marcus Creed
Jeptha, Act 3 Scene 1: Accompagnato. "A Father, Off Ring Up" (Jephtha)George Frideric Handel, Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin, Marcus Creed
Jeptha, Act 3 Scene 1: Air. "Waft Her, Angels" (Jephtha)George Frideric Handel, Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin, Marcus Creed
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
