Handel - Alexander's Feast & Ode for the Birthday of Queen Anne

George Frideric Handel - Oratorio: Alexander's Feast or the Power of Musick
with Ode for the Birthday of Queen Anne
A. Deller, M. Deller, Sheppard, Thomas, Worthley, Bevan & Oriana Concert Choir and Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra of the Vienna Symphony - Alfred Deller, dir.
Vanguard Classics OVC 8113 / 14

Contents:

    CD-1

    George Frideric Handel - Oratorio: Alexander's Feast
  1. Overture (maestoso, Allegro ma non troppo, andante)
  2. Recitative (tenor):"Twas at the royal feast"
  3. Air and Chorus (tenor, followed by chorus ans solo): Happy, happy, happy
  4. Recitative (tenor): Timotheus, plac'd on high
  5. Accompanied recitative (soprano): The song began
  6. Chorus (andante): The list'ning crowd
  7. Air (soprano, allegro ma non presto): With ravish'd ears
  8. Recitative (tenor): The praise of Bacchus
  9. Air and Chorus (bass followed by chorus, andante): Bacchus, ever fair
  10. Recitative (tenor): Sooth'd with the sound
  11. Accompanied recitative (soprano, adadio e piano): He chose a mournful Muse
  12. Air (soprano, large e piano): He sung Darius
  13. Accompanied recitative (soprano): With downcast looks
  14. Chorus (larghetto): Behold Darius
  15. Recitative (tenor): The mighty master smil'd
  16. Air (soprano, largo): Softly sweet in Lydian measures
  17. Air (tenor, andante allegro): War, he sung, is toil and trouble
  18. Chorus (andante): The many rend the skies
  19. Air (soprano) and Chorus (allegro moderato): The Prince, unable to conceal

    20. CD-2

  20. Accompanied recitative (tenor) and Chorus: Now strike the golden Lyre again
  21. Air (bass, andante allegro): Revenge, revenge
  22. Accompanied recitative (soprano): Give the vengeance due
  23. Air (tenor, allegro): The princes applaud
  24. Air (soprano) ansd chorus (Andante larghetto): Thais led the way
  25. Accompanied recitative (tenor) and Chorus: Thus, long ago
  26. Recitative (tenor and bass): Let old Timotheus yield the prize
  27. Chorus and soloists (Andante - allegro): Let old Timotheus yield the prize

    28. George Frideric Handel: Ode for the Birthday of Queen Anne
  28. (counter-tenor): Eternal source of light divine
  29. (soprano): Let all the winged ...
  30. (countertenor): Let flocks ...
  31. (counter-tenor and bass): Let rolling streams ...
  32. (sopranos): Kind health descends
  33. (bass): Let envy then conceal her head
  34. (counter-tenor and double chorus): United nations shall combine

Playing time (from CD): 63' 03" + 61' 07" = 2h 04' 10"

Performers:
[1]-[27] Alfred Deller (counter-tenor), Honor Sheppard (soprano), Max Worthley (tenor), Maurice Bevan (bass)
Oriana Concert Choir and Orchestra
Alfred Deller, dir.
[28]-[34] Alfred Deller (counter-tenor), Mark Deller (counter-tenor), Honor Sheppard (soprano), Mary Thomas (soprano), Maurice Bevan (baritone)
Oriana Concert Choir and Chamber Orchestra of the Vienna Symphony
Alfred Deller, dir.

Recording site and date:
[1]-[27] Unknown [1964 or prior] [28]-[34] Unknown [1963 or prior];
Rel.: 1999

Excerpts:
[1]-[27] Vanguard "The Bach Guild" BG 666 / 67 George Frideric Handel - Alexander's Feast
[28]-[34] Vanguard "The Bach Guild" BG 661 George Frideric Handel - Handel - 3 Coronation Anthems & Ode for the birthday of Queen Anne

Reviewed in:
Diapason (#-p.):
Gramophone (Vol./#-p.):
Fanfare (Vol./#-p.):

Comments:
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Pierre-F. Roberge