Handel: Jephtha
Composer
Georg Frideric Handel
Artist
John Mark Ainsley Jephtha
Michael George Zebul
Christiane Oelze Iphis
RIAS-Kammerchor
Akademie fur Alte Musik Berlin
Marcus Creed conductor
Format
3 CD
Cat. number
94668
EAN code
5028421946689
Release
April 2013
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About this release
George Frideric Handel, widely considered one of the foremost composers of his generation, became the pride of Britain despite the fact that he was German-born. Famed for his large-scale vocal works, he was the inventor of the English oratorio, a genre that brought him much success.
Jephtha was Handel’s final oratorio, written in 1751 while the composer was suffering badly from his failing eyesight. Based on the tale of Jephtha from the Book of Judges, the title character makes a promise to God that, in the event that he should triumph over the Ammonites, he will sacrifice the first living creature he meets. Unluckily this proves to be his beloved daughter, Iphis. As in the Renaissance version of the story, Iphis is saved by an angel who decrees that, instead of dying, Iphis will dedicate her life to God in the Temple.
In the title role is renowned British lyric tenor John Mark Ainsley, who continues to enjoy an active international career. German soprano Christiane Oelze plays the doomed Iphis, while contralto Catherine Denley takes on the role of her cautious mother, Storgè.
Other information:
- Recorded in June 1992, Kirche ‘Zur frohen Botschaft’, Berlin-Karlshorst
- One of the best recordings of Handel’s large scale and impressive oratorio Jephtha, played on period instruments by the Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin conducted by specialist Markus Creed, and a splendid cast of soloists: John Mark Ainsley, Christianne Oelze, Catherine Denley and Michael George.
- Contains liner notes on the work and biographies of the ensembles and conductor, complete sung texts on www.brilliantclassics.com.
Track list
Disk 1
1 Georg Frideric Handel: Jeptha: Overture
2 Georg Frideric Handel: Jeptha: Menuet
3 Georg Frideric Handel: Jeptha: Act 1: Scene 1: Accompagnato: It must be so (Zebul)
4 Georg Frideric Handel: Jeptha: Act 1: Scene 1: Air: Pour forth no more unheeded prayr’s (Zebul)
5 Georg Frideric Handel: Jeptha: Act 1: Scene 1: Chorus: No more to Ammon’s god and king
6 Georg Frideric Handel: Jeptha: Act 1: Scene 2: Recitative: But Jephtha comes (Zebul/Jephtha)
7 Georg Frideric Handel: Jeptha: Act 1: Scene 2: Air: Virtue my soul shall still embrace (Jephtha)
8 Georg Frideric Handel: Jeptha: Act 1: Scene 2: Recitative: ’Twill be a painful separation (Storgè)
9 Georg Frideric Handel: Jeptha: Act 1: Scene 2: Air: In gentle murmurs will mourn (Storgè)
10 Georg Frideric Handel: Jeptha: Act 1: Scene 3: Recitative: Happy this embassy, my charming Iphis (Hamor)
11 Georg Frideric Handel: Jeptha: Act 1: Scene 3: Air: Dull delay, in piercing anguish (Hamor)
12 Georg Frideric Handel: Jeptha: Act 1: Scene 3: Recitative: Ill suits the voice of love (Iphis)
13 Georg Frideric Handel: Jeptha: Act 1: Scene 3: Air: Take the heart you foundly gave (Iphis)
14 Georg Frideric Handel: Jeptha: Act 1: Scene 3: Recitative: I go – My soul inspir’d by thy command (Hamor)
15 Georg Frideric Handel: Jeptha: Act 1: Scene 3: Duet: These labours past, how happy we (Iphis/Hamor)
16 Georg Frideric Handel: Jeptha: Act 1: Scene 4: Recitative: What mean these doubtful fancies (Jephtha)
17 Georg Frideric Handel: Jeptha: Act 1: Scene 4: Accompagnato: If, Lord, sustain’d by thy almighty pow’r (Jephtha) – Recitative: ’Tis said. Attend, ye Chiefs (Jephtha)
18 Georg Frideric Handel: Jeptha: Act 1: Scene 4: Chorus: O God, behold our sore distress
19 Georg Frideric Handel: Jeptha: Act 1: Scene 5: Recitative: Some dire event hangs o’er our heads (Storgè)
20 Georg Frideric Handel: Jeptha: Act 1: Scene 5: Air: Scenes of horror, scenes of woe (Storgè)
21 Georg Frideric Handel: Jeptha: Act 1: Scene 6: Recitative: Say, my dear mother (Iphis/Storgè)
22 Georg Frideric Handel: Jeptha: Act 1: Scene 6: Air: The smiling dawn of happy days (Iphis)
23 Georg Frideric Handel: Jeptha: Act 1: Scene 7: Recitative: Such, Jephtha, was the haughty king’s reply (Zebul/Jephtha)
24 Georg Frideric Handel: Jeptha: Act 1: Scene 7: Chorus: When his loud voice in thunder spoke
Disk 2
1 Georg Frideric Handel: Jeptha: Act 2: Scene 1: Recitative: Glad tidings of great joy (Hamor)
2 Georg Frideric Handel: Jeptha: Act 2: Scene 1: Chorus: Cherub and Seraphim, unbodied forms
3 Georg Frideric Handel: Jeptha: Act 2: Scene 1: Air: Up the dreadful steep ascending (Hamor)
4 Georg Frideric Handel: Jeptha: Act 2: Scene 1: Recitative: ‘Tis well. Haste, haste, ye maidens (Iphis)
5 Georg Frideric Handel: Jeptha: Act 2: Scene 1: Air: Tune the soft melodious lute (Iphis)
6 Georg Frideric Handel: Jeptha: Act 2: Scene 2: Recitative: Heav’n smiles once more (Jephtha)
7 Georg Frideric Handel: Jeptha: Act 2: Scene 2: Air: His mighty arm (Jephtha)
8 Georg Frideric Handel: Jeptha: Act 2: Scene 2: Chorus: In glory high
9 Georg Frideric Handel: Jeptha: Act 2: Scene 3: Symphony
10 Georg Frideric Handel: Jeptha: Act 2: Scene 3: Recitative: Hail, glorious conqueror! (Iphis)
11 Georg Frideric Handel: Jeptha: Act 2: Scene 3: Air: Welcome, as the cheerful light (Iphis) – Chorus: Welcome thou, whose deeds conspire
12 Georg Frideric Handel: Jeptha: Act 2: Scene 3: Recitative: Horror! Confusion! (Jephtha)
13 Georg Frideric Handel: Jeptha: Act 2: Scene 3: Air: Open thy marble jaws, O tomb (Jephtha)
14 Georg Frideric Handel: Jeptha: Act 2: Scene 3: Recitative: Why is my brother thus afflicted? (Zebul/Jephtha)
15 Georg Frideric Handel: Jeptha: Act 2: Scene 3: Accompagnato and Arioso: First perish thou – Let other creatures (Storgè)
16 Georg Frideric Handel: Jeptha: Act 2: Scene 3: Recitative: If such thy cruel purpose (Hamor)
17 Georg Frideric Handel: Jeptha: Act 2: Scene 3: Air: On me let blind mistaken zeal (Hamor)
18 Georg Frideric Handel: Jeptha: Act 2: Scene 3: Quartet: O spare your daughter! (Storgè/Hamor/Jephtha/Zebul)
19 Georg Frideric Handel: Jeptha: Act 2: Scene 4: Recitative: Such news flies swift (Iphis)
20 Georg Frideric Handel: Jeptha: Act 2: Scene 4: Accompagnato: For joys so vast (Iphis)
21 Georg Frideric Handel: Jeptha: Act 2: Scene 4: Air: Happy they! (Iphis)
22 Georg Frideric Handel: Jeptha: Act 2: Scene 4: Accompagnato: Deeper and deeper still (Jephtha)
23 Georg Frideric Handel: Jeptha: Act 2: Scene 4: Chorus: How dark, O Lord, are thy decrees!
Disk 3
1 Georg Frideric Handel: Jeptha: Act 3: Scene 1: Arioso: Hide thou thy hated beams (Jephtha)
2 Georg Frideric Handel: Jeptha: Act 3: Scene 1: Accompagnato: A father, off ring up (Jephtha)
3 Georg Frideric Handel: Jeptha: Act 3: Scene 1: Air: Waft her, angels (Jephtha)
4 Georg Frideric Handel: Jeptha: Act 3: Scene 1: Accompagnato: Ye sacred priests (Iphis)
5 Georg Frideric Handel: Jeptha: Act 3: Scene 1: Air: Farewell, ye limpid springs (Iphis)
6 Georg Frideric Handel: Jeptha: Act 3: Scene 1: Chorus: Doubtful fear and reverend awe (Priests)
7 Georg Frideric Handel: Jeptha: Act 3: Scene 1: Symphony
8 Georg Frideric Handel: Jeptha: Act 3: Scene 1: Recitative: Rise, Jephtha (Angel)
9 Georg Frideric Handel: Jeptha: Act 3: Scene 1: Air: Happy, Iphis, shalt thou live (Angel)
10 Georg Frideric Handel: Jeptha: Act 3: Scene 1: Arioso: For ever blessed be (Jephtha)
11 Georg Frideric Handel: Jeptha: Act 3: Scene 1: Chorus: Theme sublime
12 Georg Frideric Handel: Jeptha: Act 3: Scene 2: Recitative: Let me congratulate (Zebul)
13 Georg Frideric Handel: Jeptha: Act 3: Scene 2: Air: Laud her, all ye virgin train (Zebul)
14 Georg Frideric Handel: Jeptha: Act 3: Scene 2: Recitative: O let me fold thee (Storgè)
15 Georg Frideric Handel: Jeptha: Act 3: Scene 2: Air: Sweet as sight to the blind (Storgè)
16 Georg Frideric Handel: Jeptha: Act 3: Scene 2: Recitative: With transport, Iphis (Hamor)
17 Georg Frideric Handel: Jeptha: Act 3: Scene 2: Recitative: My faithful Hamor (Iphis)
18 Georg Frideric Handel: Jeptha: Act 3: Scene 2: Quintet: All that is in Hamor mine (Iphis/Hamor/Storgè/Jephtha/Zebul)
19 Georg Frideric Handel: Jeptha: Act 3: Scene 2: Chorus: Ye house of Gilead