One hour of browsing through early music, with an accent on Masses.
The tribute ‘Alexander’s Feast’ was written by George Frideric Handel on the occasion of Saint Cecilia’s Day.
Living in London in the time, George Frideric Handel wrote his tribute ‘Alexander’s Feast,’ aka ‘The Power of Musick’ on the occasion of Saint Cecilia’s Day in 1736. This was his attempt to reawaken the diminishing interest in his Italian operas. The work was instantly loved and measured up to the Messiah.
George Frideric Handel (1685-1759)
1. From: Alexanders’s Feast or The Power of Musick: Prima Parte
– Overtura
– Recitative tenor: T was at the royal Feast
– Air, Tenor + Chorus: Happy, happy, happy happy pair
– Recitative tenor: Tomotheus, plac’d on high
– Accompagnata soprano: The song began from Jove
– Chorus: The Listening crowds
– Accompagnata soprano. He chose a mournful Muse
– Air sopraan: He sung Darius, great and good
– Accompagnata sopraan. With downcast looks
– Chorus: Behold Darius great and goods
- Fron: Alexanders’s Feast or The Power of Musick: Seconda Parte
– Air tenor. The Princess Applaud with a furious joy
– Air soprano. Thais led the way. Chorus The Princess applaud with a furious joy
– Recitative tenor and bass. Let old Thimotheus yields
– Chorus: Let old Timotheus yield the price
Kammerchor Feldkirch en Concerto Stella Matutina conducted by Benjamin Lack. Soloist: Miriam Feuersinger, soprano. Daniel Johannsen, tenor. Matthias Helm, baritone
(2CD Alexanders Feast/G.F. Handel Fra Bernardo FB1615566, 2016)
George Frideric Handel
3. Concerto in g minor, HWV 287
– Grave
– Allegro
– Sarabande
– Allegro
- Sinfonia in B-flat Major, HWV 339 for 2 traversi, 2 violen and continuo
– Allegro
– Adagio
– Allegro
Musica ad Rhenum olv. Jed Wentz
(Vanguard Classics 99088, 1997)
