Immerse yourself in the timeless brilliance of George Frideric Handel with the captivating oratorio "Esther, HWV 50b." This exquisite composition, released in 2014 by SOMM Recordings, is a masterful blend of classical, choral, and operatic elements that showcase Handel's unparalleled musical genius. Spanning a rich duration of 2 hours and 5 minutes, this album is a comprehensive journey through the sacred story of Esther, set in 4th century B.C. Persia.
The album features the esteemed London Handel Orchestra and the London Handel Choir, conducted by the renowned Laurence Cummings. With 54 tracks, "Esther, HWV 50b" offers a profound exploration of Handel's musical narrative, from the stirring overture to the powerful choral performances and the intricate solos. Each piece is a testament to Handel's ability to convey deep emotion and dramatic tension through his music.
Highlights include the hauntingly beautiful "Who calls my parting soul" duet, the triumphant "Alleluia" sung by Esther, and the moving chorus "Blessed are they that fear the Lord." The album is a celebration of Handel's enduring legacy and his unique contribution to the world of classical music. Whether you are a seasoned Handel enthusiast or a newcomer to his works, "Esther, HWV 50b" promises an enriching and unforgettable listening experience.
2014 SOMM Recordings2014 SOMM Recordings
Tracks
Esther, HWV 50b: Overture. Andante - Larghetto - AllegroGeorge Frideric Handel, Laurence Cummings, The London Handel Orchestra
Esther, HWV 50b, Act I Scene 1: Breathe soft ye gales (Israelite Woman)George Frideric Handel, Laurence Cummings, Rebecca Outram, The London Handel Orchestra
Esther, HWV 50b, Act I Scene 1: Watchful angels (Israelite Woman)George Frideric Handel, Laurence Cummings, Rebecca Outram, The London Handel Orchestra
Esther, HWV 50b, Act I Scene 1: O King of kings, celestial Lord! (Esther)George Frideric Handel, Laurence Cummings, Rosemary Joshua, The London Handel Orchestra
Esther, HWV 50b, Act I Scene 1: Alleluia (Esther)George Frideric Handel, Laurence Cummings, Rosemary Joshua, The London Handel Orchestra
Esther, HWV 50b, Act I Scene 1: With transport, lovely queen (Mordecai)George Frideric Handel, Laurence Cummings, Susan Bickley, The London Handel Orchestra
Esther, HWV 50b, Act I Scene 1: So much beauty sweetly blooming (Mordecai)George Frideric Handel, Laurence Cummings, Susan Bickley, The London Handel Orchestra
Esther, HWV 50b, Act I Scene 1: Again shall Salem, to the skies (Mordecai)George Frideric Handel, Laurence Cummings, Susan Bickley, The London Handel Orchestra
Esther, HWV 50b, Act I Scene 1: My heart is inditing (Chorus)George Frideric Handel, Laurence Cummings, London Handel Choir, The London Handel Orchestra
Esther, HWV 50b, Act I Scene 1: Kings' daughters (Chorus)George Frideric Handel, Laurence Cummings, London Handel Choir, The London Handel Orchestra
Esther, HWV 50b, Act I Scene 1: Upon the right hand (Chorus)George Frideric Handel, Laurence Cummings, London Handel Choir, The London Handel Orchestra
Esther, HWV 50b, Act I Scene 1: Kings shall be thy nursing fathers (Chorus)George Frideric Handel, Laurence Cummings, London Handel Choir, The London Handel Orchestra
Esther, HWV 50b, Act I Scene 2: Let me with freedom thy petition know (Ahasuerus)George Frideric Handel, Laurence Cummings, James Bowman, The London Handel Orchestra
Esther, HWV 50b, Act I Scene 2: Endless fame (Ahasuerus)George Frideric Handel, Laurence Cummings, James Bowman, The London Handel Orchestra
Esther, HWV 50b, Act I Scene 3: 'Tis greater far to spare (Harbonah)George Frideric Handel, Laurence Cummings, Angus Smith, The London Handel Orchestra
Esther, HWV 50b, Act I Scene 3: Pluck root and branch (Harman)George Frideric Handel, Laurence Cummings, Christopher Purves, The London Handel Orchestra
Esther, HWV 50b, Act I Scene 3: Our souls with ardour glow (Officer)George Frideric Handel, Laurence Cummings, Christopher Watson, The London Handel Orchestra
Esther, HWV 50b, Act I Scene 3: Shall we the God of Israel fear (Chorus)George Frideric Handel, Laurence Cummings, London Handel Choir, The London Handel Orchestra
Esther, HWV 50b, Act I Scene 4: Jerusalem no more shall mourn (First Israelite)George Frideric Handel, Laurence Cummings, Andrew Kennedy, The London Handel Orchestra
Esther, HWV 50b, Act I Scene 4: Tune your harps to cheerful strains (Israelite Woman)George Frideric Handel, Laurence Cummings, Rebecca Outram, The London Handel Orchestra
Esther, HWV 50b, Act I Scene 4: Shall we of servitude complain (Second Israelite)George Frideric Handel, Laurence Cummings, Cecilia Osmond, The London Handel Orchestra
Esther, HWV 50b, Act I Scene 4: Praise the Lord with cheerful noise (Israelite Woman)George Frideric Handel, Laurence Cummings, Rebecca Outram, The London Handel Orchestra
Esther, HWV 50b, Act I Scene 5: How have our sins provok'd the Lord! (Mordecai)George Frideric Handel, Laurence Cummings, Susan Bickley, The London Handel Orchestra
Esther, HWV 50b, Act I Scene 5: Ye sons of Israel, mourn (Chorus) [1]George Frideric Handel, Laurence Cummings, London Handel Choir, The London Handel Orchestra
Esther, HWV 50b, Act I Scene 5: O Jordan, Jordan, sacred tide! (Mordecai)George Frideric Handel, Laurence Cummings, Susan Bickley, The London Handel Orchestra
Esther, HWV 50b, Act I Scene 5: Ye sons of Israel, mourn (Chorus) [2]George Frideric Handel, Laurence Cummings, London Handel Choir, The London Handel Orchestra
Esther, HWV 50b, Act II Scene 1: Tyrants may awhile presume (Chorus)George Frideric Handel, Laurence Cummings, London Handel Choir, The London Handel Orchestra
Esther, HWV 50b, Act II Scene 2: Why sits that sorrow on thy brow? (Esther)George Frideric Handel, Laurence Cummings, Rosemary Joshua, The London Handel Orchestra
Esther, HWV 50b, Act II Scene 2: Dread not, righteous Queen (Modecai)George Frideric Handel, Laurence Cummings, Susan Bickley, The London Handel Orchestra
Esther, HWV 50b, Act II Scene 2: O heaven, protect her (Israelite Woman)George Frideric Handel, Laurence Cummings, Rebecca Outram, The London Handel Orchestra
Esther, HWV 50b, Act II Scene 2: Duet. Blessings descend on downy wings (Israelite Woman, Mordecai)George Frideric Handel, Laurence Cummings, Rebecca Outram, Susan Bickley, The London Handel Orchestra
Esther, HWV 50b, Act II Scene 2: I go, the pow'r of grief to prove (Esther)George Frideric Handel, Rosemary Joshua, Laurence Cummings, The London Handel Orchestra
Esther, HWV 50b, Act II Scene 2: Tears assist me, pity moving (Esther)George Frideric Handel, Rosemary Joshua, Laurence Cummings, The London Handel Orchestra
Esther, HWV 50b, Act II Scene 2: Save us, O Lord! (Chorus)George Frideric Handel, Laurence Cummings, London Handel Choir, The London Handel Orchestra
Esther, HWV 50b, Act II Scene 3: Who dares intrude into our presence (Ahasuerus)George Frideric Handel, Laurence Cummings, James Bowman, The London Handel Orchestra
Esther, HWV 50b, Act II Scene 3: Duet. Who calls my parting soul from death? (Esther, Ahasuerus)George Frideric Handel, Laurence Cummings, Rosemary Joshua, James Bowman, The London Handel Orchestra
Esther, HWV 50b, Act II Scene 3: O beauteous queen, unclose those eyes (Ahasuerus)George Frideric Handel, Laurence Cummings, James Bowman, The London Handel Orchestra
Esther, HWV 50b, Act II Scene 3: I find favour in thy sight (Esther)George Frideric Handel, Laurence Cummings, Rosemary Joshua, The London Handel Orchestra
Esther, HWV 50b, Act II Scene 3: How can I stay when love invites? (Esther)George Frideric Handel, Laurence Cummings, Rosemary Joshua, The London Handel Orchestra
Esther, HWV 50b, Act II Scene 4: With inward joy his visage glows (First Israelite)George Frideric Handel, Laurence Cummings, Andrew Kennedy, The London Handel Orchestra
Esther, HWV 50b, Act II Scene 4: Heav'n has lent her ev'ry charm (Israelite Woman)George Frideric Handel, Laurence Cummings, Rebecca Outram, The London Handel Orchestra
Esther, HWV 50b, Act II Scene 4: The king will listen to the royal fair (First Israelite)George Frideric Handel, Laurence Cummings, Andrew Kennedy, The London Handel Orchestra
Esther, HWV 50b, Act II Scene 4: Blessed are they that fear the Lord (Chorus)George Frideric Handel, Laurence Cummings, London Handel Choir, The London Handel Orchestra
Esther, HWV 50b, Act III Scene 1: Jehovah crown'd with glory bright (Mordecai)George Frideric Handel, Laurence Cummings, Susan Bickley, The London Handel Orchestra
Esther, HWV 50b, Act III Scene 1: He comes! He comes to end our woes (Chorus)George Frideric Handel, Laurence Cummings, London Handel Choir, The London Handel Orchestra
Esther, HWV 50b, Act III Scene 2: Now O my queen, thy suit declare (Ahasuerus)George Frideric Handel, Laurence Cummings, James Bowman, The London Handel Orchestra
Esther, HWV 50b, Act III Scene 2: Turn not, O queen, thy face away (Haman)George Frideric Handel, Laurence Cummings, Christopher Purves, The London Handel Orchestra
Esther, HWV 50b, Act III Scene 2: Flatt'ring tongue, no more I hear thee (Esther)George Frideric Handel, Laurence Cummings, Rosemary Joshua, The London Handel Orchestra
Esther, HWV 50b, Act III Scene 2: Guards, seize the traitor (Ahasuerus)George Frideric Handel, Laurence Cummings, James Bowman, The London Handel Orchestra
Esther, HWV 50b, Act III Scene 2: Through the nation he shall be (Ahasuerus)George Frideric Handel, Laurence Cummings, James Bowman, The London Handel Orchestra
George Frideric Handel, born in 1685 in Halle, Germany, is one of the most celebrated composers of the Baroque era, renowned for his enduring influence on classical music. His prolific career spanned various genres, including operas, oratorios, anthems, and concerti grossi. Handel's compositions, such as the iconic 'Water Music' and 'Music for the Royal Fireworks', continue to captivate audiences today. After settling in London in 1712, he became a prominent figure in British musical life, leaving an indelible mark on the country's cultural landscape. Handel's works are celebrated for their grandeur and emotional depth, making him a cornerstone of the Baroque period and a symbol of European musical heritage. His final resting place is in the south transept of Westminster Abbey, a testament to his enduring legacy.
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George Frideric Handel
