Immerse yourself in the timeless brilliance of George Frideric Handel with the 2011 release of "Handel: Alexander's Feast." This exquisite collection, performed by the acclaimed Ludus Baroque ensemble, showcases Handel's mastery of classical, choral, and operatic genres. Spanning a captivating 82 minutes, the album features 29 tracks that bring to life the dramatic and emotive narrative of Alexander's Feast, HWV 75.
The album opens with the stirring Overture, setting the stage for a journey through the opulent feasts and political intrigues of ancient Persia. Each track is meticulously crafted, blending recitatives, arias, and choruses to create a rich tapestry of sound. Highlights include the lively "Happy, happy, happy pair!" and the powerful "Revenge, Timotheus cries," showcasing the dynamic range and expressive depth of Handel's composition.
Critics have praised Ludus Baroque's performance, describing it as "thrilling" and highlighting the ensemble's ability to bring out the full emotional and dramatic potential of Handel's score. Whether you're a seasoned classical enthusiast or a newcomer to Handel's work, "Handel: Alexander's Feast" offers a compelling and enriching listening experience. Dive into this masterpiece and discover the enduring power of Handel's music.
(C) 2011 Delphian Records(P) 2011 Delphian Records
Tracks
Alexander's Feast: Part One, OvertureGeorge Frideric Handel, Ludus Baroque, Richard Neville-Towle
Alexander's Feast: Part One, "'Twas at the royal feast" (Recitative)George Frideric Handel, Ed Lyon, Ludus Baroque, Richard Neville-Towle
Alexander's Feast: Part One, "Happy, happy, happy pair!" (Air & Chorus)George Frideric Handel, Ed Lyon, Sophie Bevan, Ludus Baroque, Richard Neville-Towle
Alexander's Feast: Part One, "Timortheus, plac'd on high" (Recitative)George Frideric Handel, Ed Lyon, Ludus Baroque, Richard Neville-Towle
Alexander's Feast: Part One, "The song began from Jove" (Recitative)George Frideric Handel, Sophie Bevan, Ludus Baroque, Richard Neville-Towle
Alexander's Feast: Part One, "The list'ning crowd admire the lofty sound" (Chorus)George Frideric Handel, Ludus Baroque, Richard Neville-Towle
Alexander's Feast: Part One, "With ravish'd ears the monarch hears" (Air)George Frideric Handel, Sophie Bevan, Ludus Baroque, Richard Neville-Towle
Alexander's Feast: Part One, "The praise of Bacchus" (Recitative)George Frideric Handel, Ed Lyon, Ludus Baroque, Richard Neville-Towle
Alexander's Feast: Part One, "Bacchus, ever fair and young" (Air & Chorus)George Frideric Handel, William Berger, Ludus Baroque, Richard Neville-Towle
Alexander's Feast: Part One, "Sooth'd with the sound, the king grew vain" (Recitative)George Frideric Handel, Ed Lyon, Ludus Baroque, Richard Neville-Towle
Alexander's Feast: Part One, "He chose a mournful Muse" (Recitative)George Frideric Handel, Sophie Bevan, Ludus Baroque, Richard Neville-Towle
Alexander's Feast: Part One, "He sung Darius, great and good" (Air)George Frideric Handel, Sophie Bevan, Ludus Baroque, Richard Neville-Towle
Alexander's Feast: Part One, "With downcast looks the joyless victor sate" (Recitative)George Frideric Handel, Sophie Bevan, Ludus Baroque, Richard Neville-Towle
Alexander's Feast: Part One, "Behold Darius great and good" (Chorus)George Frideric Handel, Ludus Baroque, Richard Neville-Towle
Alexander's Feast: Part One, "The mighty master smil'd to see" (Recitative)George Frideric Handel, Ed Lyon, Ludus Baroque, Richard Neville-Towle
Alexander's Feast: Part One, "Softly sweet in Lydian measures" (Arioso)George Frideric Handel, Chris Suckling, Sophie Bevan, Ludus Baroque, Richard Neville-Towle
Alexander's Feast: Part One, "War, he sung, is toil and trouble" (Air)George Frideric Handel, Ed Lyon, Ludus Baroque, Richard Neville-Towle
Alexander's Feast: Part One, "The many rend the skies with loud applause" (Chorus)George Frideric Handel, Ludus Baroque, Richard Neville-Towle
Alexander's Feast: Part One, "The prince, unable to conceal his pain" (Air & Chorus)George Frideric Handel, Sophie Bevan, Ludus Baroque, Richard Neville-Towle
Alexander's Feast: Part Two, "Now strike the golden Lyre again" (Recitative & Chorus)George Frideric Handel, Ed Lyon, Ludus Baroque, Richard Neville-Towle
Alexander's Feast: Part Two, "Revenge, Timotheus cries" (Air)George Frideric Handel, William Berger, Ludus Baroque, Richard Neville-Towle
Alexander's Feast: Part Two, "Give the vengeance due" (Recitative)George Frideric Handel, Ed Lyon, Ludus Baroque, Richard Neville-Towle
Alexander's Feast: Part Two, "The princes applaud with a furious joy" (Air)George Frideric Handel, Ed Lyon, Ludus Baroque, Richard Neville-Towle
Alexander's Feast: Part Two, "Thais led the way" (Air and Chorus)George Frideric Handel, Sophie Bevan, Ludus Baroque, Richard Neville-Towle
Alexander's Feast: Part Two, "Thus, long ago" (Recitative)George Frideric Handel, Ed Lyon, Ludus Baroque, Richard Neville-Towle
Alexander's Feast: Part Two, "At last divine Cecilia came" (Grand Chorus)George Frideric Handel, Ludus Baroque, Richard Neville-Towle
Alexander's Feast: Part Two, "Let old Timotheus yield the prize" (Recitative)George Frideric Handel, Ed Lyon, William Berger, Ludus Baroque, Richard Neville-Towle
Alexander's Feast: Part Two, "Let old Timotheus yield the prize" (Chorus)George Frideric Handel, Ludus Baroque, Richard Neville-Towle
Alexander's Feast: Part Two, "Your voices tune, and raise them high" (Chorus)George Frideric Handel, Ludus Baroque, Richard Neville-Towle