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Handel - Belshazzar (CD 1)

These recordings are part of a cycle of old testament oratorios by G. F. Handel and are some of the many concerts performed at Maulbronn monastery over the past years. The series combines authentically performed baroque oratorios with the optimal acoustics and atmosphere of this unique monastic church. This ideal location demands the transparency of playing and the interpretive unveiling of the rhetoric intimations of the composition, which is especially aided by the historically authentic performance. The music is exclusively performed on reconstructed historical instruments, which are tuned to the pitch customary in the composers lifetime (a = c. 415 Hz).


Brief description of the Release:

An historically informed performance in English with Miriam Allan, Michael Chance, Patrick van Goethem, Mark LeBrocq, André Morsch, the Hanoverian Court Orchestra / Hannoversche Hofkapelle (on period instruments) and the Maulbronn Chamber Choir (Maulbronner Kammerchor), conducted by Jürgen Budday

CD 1

1. Ouverture

Act 1
2. Chorus (The Babylonians) - Behold, by Persia's hero made
3. Recitative (Gobrias + Cyrus) - Well may they laugh, from meagre famine safe
4. Air (Gobrias) - Oppress'd with never-ceasing grief
5. Air (Cyrus) - Dry those unavailing tears
6. Recitative (Cyrus) - Be comforted: safe though the tyrant seem
7. Recitative accomp. (Cyrus) - Methought, as on the bank of deep Euphrates
8. Recitative (Cyrus + Gobrias)- Now tell me, Gobrias
9. Air (Gobrias) - Behold the monstrous human beast
10. Recitative + Air (Cyrus) - Can you then think it strange
11. Recitative (Cyrus) - My friends, be confident
12. Chorus (The Persians) - All empires upon God depend
13. Air (Daniel) - O sacred oracles of truth
14. Recitative accomp. (Daniel) - Rejoice, my countrymen
15. Chorus (The Jews) - Sing, O ye Heav'ns, for the Lord hath done it
16. Air (Belshazzar) - Let festal joy triumphant reign
17. Recitative (Belshazzar + Nitocris) - For you my friends, the nobles of my court
18. Chorus (The Jews) - Recall, O king, thy rash command
19. Recitative (Nitocris + Belshazzar) - They tell you true; nor can you be to learn
20. Duet (Nitocris + Belshazzar) - O dearer than my life, forbear
21. Chorus (The Jews) - By slow degress the wrath of God

Act 2
22. Chorus (The Persians) - See, from his post Euphrates flies
23. Recitative (Cyrus) - You see, my friends, a path into the city lies open
24. Chorus (The Persians) - To arms, to arms, no more delay