Essential Handel
Born in 1685, the same year as Johann Sebastian Bach, George Frideric Handel became the nearest thing to a superstar composer the Baroque period could offer. A celebrity in his own right, he composed music to thrill and excite his audiences as well as show off the talents of some of the greatest musicians of the time.
Read more…- Handel • Zadok the Priest HWV 258Zadok the Priest HWV 258Lars Ulrik Mortensen (Organ), Lars Ulrik Mortensen
European Union Baroque Orchestra, Choir of Clare College CambridgeSeptember 2013, London, St. John's Smith Square - Handel • Music for the Royal Fireworks HWV 351 • I. Ouverture. Adagio – Allegro – Lentement – AllegroMusic for the Royal Fireworks HWV 351
I. Ouverture. Adagio – Allegro – Lentement – AllegroOrpheus Chamber Orchestra℗ 1992 - Handel • Music for the Royal Fireworks HWV 351 • II. BourréeMusic for the Royal Fireworks HWV 351
II. BourréeOrpheus Chamber Orchestra℗ 1992 - Handel • Music for the Royal Fireworks HWV 351 • III. La Paix. Largo alla SicilianaMusic for the Royal Fireworks HWV 351
III. La Paix. Largo alla SicilianaOrpheus Chamber Orchestra℗ 1992 - Handel • Music for the Royal Fireworks HWV 351 • IV. La Réjouissance. AllegroMusic for the Royal Fireworks HWV 351
IV. La Réjouissance. AllegroOrpheus Chamber Orchestra℗ 1992 - Handel • Music for the Royal Fireworks HWV 351 • V. Menuet IMusic for the Royal Fireworks HWV 351
V. Menuet IOrpheus Chamber Orchestra℗ 1992 - Handel • Music for the Royal Fireworks HWV 351 • VI. Menuet IIMusic for the Royal Fireworks HWV 351
VI. Menuet IIOrpheus Chamber Orchestra℗ 1992 - Handel • Serse (Xerxes) HWV 40: Recitativo 'Frondi tenere, e belle' – Arioso 'Ombra mai fù' (Serse, Act I) • Frondi tenere, e belle – Ombra mai fùSerse (Xerxes) HWV 40: Recitativo 'Frondi tenere, e belle' – Arioso 'Ombra mai fù' (Serse, Act I)
Frondi tenere, e belle – Ombra mai fùJoyce DiDonato (Mezzo-soprano), Alan Curtis
Il Complesso Barocco℗ 2013 - Handel • Concerto (a due cori) for 2 Wind choirs and Strings in F major HWV 333 • I. PomposoConcerto (a due cori) for 2 Wind choirs and Strings in F major HWV 333
I. PomposoSir John Eliot Gardiner, English Baroque Soloists℗ 1984 - Handel • Concerto (a due cori) for 2 Wind choirs and Strings in F major HWV 333 • II. AllegroConcerto (a due cori) for 2 Wind choirs and Strings in F major HWV 333
II. AllegroSir John Eliot Gardiner, English Baroque Soloists℗ 1984 - Handel • Concerto (a due cori) for 2 Wind choirs and Strings in F major HWV 333 • III. A tempo giustoConcerto (a due cori) for 2 Wind choirs and Strings in F major HWV 333
III. A tempo giustoSir John Eliot Gardiner, English Baroque Soloists℗ 1984 - Handel • Concerto (a due cori) for 2 Wind choirs and Strings in F major HWV 333 • IV. LargoConcerto (a due cori) for 2 Wind choirs and Strings in F major HWV 333
IV. LargoSir John Eliot Gardiner, English Baroque Soloists℗ 1984 - Handel • Concerto (a due cori) for 2 Wind choirs and Strings in F major HWV 333 • V. Allegro ma non troppoConcerto (a due cori) for 2 Wind choirs and Strings in F major HWV 333
V. Allegro ma non troppoSir John Eliot Gardiner, English Baroque Soloists℗ 1984 - Handel • Concerto (a due cori) for 2 Wind choirs and Strings in F major HWV 333 • VI. A tempo ordinarioConcerto (a due cori) for 2 Wind choirs and Strings in F major HWV 333
VI. A tempo ordinarioSir John Eliot Gardiner, English Baroque Soloists℗ 1984 - Handel • Concerto grosso in G major op. 6/1 HWV 319 • I. Tempo giustoConcerto grosso in G major op. 6/1 HWV 319
I. Tempo giustoChristopher Hogwood, Handel and Haydn Society Orchestra℗ 1993 - Handel • Concerto grosso in G major op. 6/1 HWV 319 • II. AllegroConcerto grosso in G major op. 6/1 HWV 319
II. AllegroChristopher Hogwood, Handel and Haydn Society Orchestra℗ 1993 - Handel • Concerto grosso in G major op. 6/1 HWV 319 • III. AdagioConcerto grosso in G major op. 6/1 HWV 319
III. AdagioChristopher Hogwood, Handel and Haydn Society Orchestra℗ 1993 - Handel • Concerto grosso in G major op. 6/1 HWV 319 • IV. AllegroConcerto grosso in G major op. 6/1 HWV 319
IV. AllegroChristopher Hogwood, Handel and Haydn Society Orchestra℗ 1993 - Handel • Concerto grosso in G major op. 6/1 HWV 319 • V. AllegroConcerto grosso in G major op. 6/1 HWV 319
V. AllegroChristopher Hogwood, Handel and Haydn Society Orchestra℗ 1993 - Handel • Admeto, Re di Tessaglia HWV 22: Ouverture • OuvertureAdmeto, Re di Tessaglia HWV 22: Ouverture
OuvertureEuropean Union Baroque Orchestra
Lars Ulrik Mortensen (Harpsichord)℗ 2013, Luxembourg, Trifolion Centre Culturel, Touristique et de Congrès Echternach - Handel • Il Trionfo del Tempo e del Disinganno HWV 46a: ‘Pure del cielo intelligenze eterne' – 'Tu del Ciel ministro eletto’ (Bellezza, Part II) • No. 31 Aria 'Tu del Ciel ministro eletto' (Bellezza)Il Trionfo del Tempo e del Disinganno HWV 46a: ‘Pure del cielo intelligenze eterne' – 'Tu del Ciel ministro eletto’ (Bellezza, Part II)
No. 31 Aria 'Tu del Ciel ministro eletto' (Bellezza)Maria Keohane (Soprano), Lars Ulrik Mortensen
European Union Baroque Orchestra℗ 2013, Luxembourg, Trifolion Centre Culturel, Touristique et de Congrès Echternach - Handel • Concerto for Organ and Orchestra No. 13 in F major HWV 295 “The Cuckoo and the Nightingale” • I. LarghettoConcerto for Organ and Orchestra No. 13 in F major HWV 295
I. LarghettoTon Koopman (Organ), Ton Koopman
The Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra1984, Beek-Ubbergen, Sint Bartholomeuskerk - Handel • Concerto for Organ and Orchestra No. 13 in F major HWV 295 “The Cuckoo and the Nightingale” • II. AllegroConcerto for Organ and Orchestra No. 13 in F major HWV 295
II. AllegroTon Koopman (Organ), Ton Koopman
The Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra1984, Beek-Ubbergen, Sint Bartholomeuskerk - Handel • Concerto for Organ and Orchestra No. 13 in F major HWV 295 “The Cuckoo and the Nightingale” • III. LarghettoConcerto for Organ and Orchestra No. 13 in F major HWV 295
III. LarghettoTon Koopman (Organ), Ton Koopman
The Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra1984, Beek-Ubbergen, Sint Bartholomeuskerk - Handel • Concerto for Organ and Orchestra No. 13 in F major HWV 295 “The Cuckoo and the Nightingale” • IV. AllegroConcerto for Organ and Orchestra No. 13 in F major HWV 295
IV. AllegroTon Koopman (Organ), Ton Koopman
The Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra1984, Beek-Ubbergen, Sint Bartholomeuskerk - Handel • Recitative and Aria 'Ah! che troppo ineguali / O del ciel! Maria Regina' HWV 230 • Recitative 'Ah! che troppo ineguali'Recitative and Aria 'Ah! che troppo ineguali / O del ciel! Maria Regina' HWV 230
Recitative 'Ah! che troppo ineguali'European Union Baroque Orchestra
Maria Keohane (Soprano), Lars Ulrik Mortensen (Harpsichord)℗ 2013, Luxembourg, Trifolion Centre Culturel, Touristique et de Congrès Echternach - Handel • Recitative and Aria 'Ah! che troppo ineguali / O del ciel! Maria Regina' HWV 230 • No. 1 Aria 'O del Ciel Maria Regina!'Recitative and Aria 'Ah! che troppo ineguali / O del ciel! Maria Regina' HWV 230
No. 1 Aria 'O del Ciel Maria Regina!'European Union Baroque Orchestra
Maria Keohane (Soprano), Lars Ulrik Mortensen (Harpsichord)℗ 2013, Luxembourg, Trifolion Centre Culturel, Touristique et de Congrès Echternach - Handel • Concerto grosso in F major op. 6/2 HWV 320 • I. Andante larghettoConcerto grosso in F major op. 6/2 HWV 320
I. Andante larghettoEuropean Union Baroque Orchestra
Lars Ulrik Mortensen (Harpsichord)℗ 2013, Luxembourg, Trifolion Centre Culturel, Touristique et de Congrès Echternach - Handel • Concerto grosso in F major op. 6/2 HWV 320 • II. AllegroConcerto grosso in F major op. 6/2 HWV 320
II. AllegroEuropean Union Baroque Orchestra
Lars Ulrik Mortensen (Harpsichord)℗ 2013, Luxembourg, Trifolion Centre Culturel, Touristique et de Congrès Echternach - Handel • Concerto grosso in F major op. 6/2 HWV 320 • III. LargoConcerto grosso in F major op. 6/2 HWV 320
III. LargoEuropean Union Baroque Orchestra
Lars Ulrik Mortensen (Harpsichord)℗ 2013, Luxembourg, Trifolion Centre Culturel, Touristique et de Congrès Echternach - Handel • Concerto grosso in F major op. 6/2 HWV 320 • IV. Allegro ma non troppoConcerto grosso in F major op. 6/2 HWV 320
IV. Allegro ma non troppoEuropean Union Baroque Orchestra
Lars Ulrik Mortensen (Harpsichord)℗ 2013, Luxembourg, Trifolion Centre Culturel, Touristique et de Congrès Echternach - Handel • Concerto grosso in F major op. 3/4 HWV 315 • I. Andante – Allegro – LentementConcerto grosso in F major op. 3/4 HWV 315
I. Andante – Allegro – LentementChristian Moreaux (Oboe), Marc Minkowski
Les Musiciens du Louvre℗ 1994 - Handel • Concerto grosso in F major op. 3/4 HWV 315 • II. AndanteConcerto grosso in F major op. 3/4 HWV 315
II. AndanteChristian Moreaux (Oboe), Marc Minkowski
Les Musiciens du Louvre℗ 1994 - Handel • Concerto grosso in F major op. 3/4 HWV 315 • III. AllegroConcerto grosso in F major op. 3/4 HWV 315
III. AllegroChristian Moreaux (Oboe), Marc Minkowski
Les Musiciens du Louvre℗ 1994 - Handel • Concerto grosso in F major op. 3/4 HWV 315 • IV. Minuetto alternativoConcerto grosso in F major op. 3/4 HWV 315
IV. Minuetto alternativoChristian Moreaux (Oboe), Marc Minkowski
Les Musiciens du Louvre℗ 1994 - Handel • Rinaldo HWV 7: 'Lascia ch'io pianga' (Almirena, Act II) • Lascia ch'io piangaRinaldo HWV 7: 'Lascia ch'io pianga' (Almirena, Act II)
Lascia ch'io piangaJoyce DiDonato (Mezzo-soprano), Maxim Emelyanychev
Il Pomo d'OroMarch 2016, Toblach, Gustav Mahler Hall, Kulturzentrum - Handel • Radamisto HWV 12: 'Ombra cara di mia sposa' (Radamisto, Act II) • Ombra cara di mia sposaRadamisto HWV 12: 'Ombra cara di mia sposa' (Radamisto, Act II)
Ombra cara di mia sposaEnsemble Artaserse
Philippe Jaroussky (Countertenor)℗ 2017 - Handel • Sonata for Flute and Basso continuo in D major HWV 378 • I. AdagioSonata for Flute and Basso continuo in D major HWV 378
I. AdagioBarthold Kuijken (Flute), Robert Kohnen (Harpsichord), Wieland Kuijken (Viola da Gamba)September 1991, Bolland, Eglise St. Apollinaire Bolland - Handel • Sonata for Flute and Basso continuo in D major HWV 378 • II. AllegroSonata for Flute and Basso continuo in D major HWV 378
II. AllegroBarthold Kuijken (Flute), Robert Kohnen (Harpsichord), Wieland Kuijken (Viola da Gamba)September 1991, Bolland, Eglise St. Apollinaire Bolland - Handel • Sonata for Flute and Basso continuo in D major HWV 378 • III. AdagioSonata for Flute and Basso continuo in D major HWV 378
III. AdagioBarthold Kuijken (Flute), Robert Kohnen (Harpsichord), Wieland Kuijken (Viola da Gamba)September 1991, Bolland, Eglise St. Apollinaire Bolland - Handel • Sonata for Flute and Basso continuo in D major HWV 378 • IV. AllegroSonata for Flute and Basso continuo in D major HWV 378
IV. AllegroBarthold Kuijken (Flute), Robert Kohnen (Harpsichord), Wieland Kuijken (Viola da Gamba)September 1991, Bolland, Eglise St. Apollinaire Bolland - Handel • Suite for Harpsichord No. 4 in D minor HWV 437 • AllemandeSuite for Harpsichord No. 4 in D minor HWV 437
AllemandeSophie Yates (Harpsichord)℗ 1999 - Handel • Suite for Harpsichord No. 4 in D minor HWV 437 • CouranteSuite for Harpsichord No. 4 in D minor HWV 437
CouranteSophie Yates (Harpsichord)℗ 1999 - Handel • Suite for Harpsichord No. 4 in D minor HWV 437 • Sarabande con variazioniSuite for Harpsichord No. 4 in D minor HWV 437
Sarabande con variazioniSophie Yates (Harpsichord)℗ 1999 - Handel • Suite for Harpsichord No. 4 in D minor HWV 437 • GigueSuite for Harpsichord No. 4 in D minor HWV 437
GigueSophie Yates (Harpsichord)℗ 1999 - Handel • Water Music: Suite No. 1 in F major HWV 348 • I. Ouverture. (Largo – Allegro)Water Music: Suite No. 1 in F major HWV 348
I. Ouverture. (Largo – Allegro)Anton Steck, Concerto Köln℗ 2015 - Handel • Water Music: Suite No. 1 in F major HWV 348 • II. Adagio e staccatoWater Music: Suite No. 1 in F major HWV 348
II. Adagio e staccatoAnton Steck, Concerto Köln℗ 2015 - Handel • Water Music: Suite No. 1 in F major HWV 348 • III. AllegroWater Music: Suite No. 1 in F major HWV 348
III. AllegroAnton Steck, Concerto Köln℗ 2015 - Handel • Water Music: Suite No. 1 in F major HWV 348 • IV. AndanteWater Music: Suite No. 1 in F major HWV 348
IV. AndanteAnton Steck, Concerto Köln℗ 2015 - Handel • Water Music: Suite No. 1 in F major HWV 348 • III. Allegro da capoWater Music: Suite No. 1 in F major HWV 348
III. Allegro da capoAnton Steck, Concerto Köln℗ 2015 - Handel • Water Music: Suite No. 1 in F major HWV 348 • V. PrestoWater Music: Suite No. 1 in F major HWV 348
V. PrestoAnton Steck, Concerto Köln℗ 2015 - Handel • Water Music: Suite No. 1 in F major HWV 348 • VI. Air. PrestoWater Music: Suite No. 1 in F major HWV 348
VI. Air. PrestoAnton Steck, Concerto Köln℗ 2015 - Handel • Water Music: Suite No. 1 in F major HWV 348 • VII. MinuetWater Music: Suite No. 1 in F major HWV 348
VII. MinuetAnton Steck, Concerto Köln℗ 2015 - Handel • Water Music: Suite No. 1 in F major HWV 348 • VIII. Bourrée. PrestoWater Music: Suite No. 1 in F major HWV 348
VIII. Bourrée. PrestoAnton Steck, Concerto Köln℗ 2015 - Handel • Water Music: Suite No. 1 in F major HWV 348 • IX. HornpipeWater Music: Suite No. 1 in F major HWV 348
IX. HornpipeAnton Steck, Concerto Köln℗ 2015 - Handel • Water Music: Suite No. 1 in F major HWV 348 • X. (Allegro)Water Music: Suite No. 1 in F major HWV 348
X. (Allegro)Anton Steck, Concerto Köln℗ 2015 - Handel • Giulio Cesare in Egitto HWV 17: 'Vani sono i lamenti' – 'Svegliatevi nel core' (Sesto, Act I) • Vani sono i lamenti – Svegliatevi nel coreGiulio Cesare in Egitto HWV 17: 'Vani sono i lamenti' – 'Svegliatevi nel core' (Sesto, Act I)
Vani sono i lamenti – Svegliatevi nel coreJoyce DiDonato (Mezzo-soprano), Maxim Emelyanychev
Il Pomo d'OroMarch 2016, Toblach, Gustav Mahler Hall, Kulturzentrum - Handel • Judas Maccabaeus HWV 63: 'See, the conqu'ring hero comes!' (Chorus, Act III) • See, the conqu'ring hero comes!Judas Maccabaeus HWV 63: 'See, the conqu'ring hero comes!' (Chorus, Act III)
See, the conqu'ring hero comes!Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St Martin in the Fields, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields Chorus℗ 1985 - Handel • Messiah HWV 56 • Novello Edition, Part II • No. 44 Chorus 'Hallelujah' (Chorus)Messiah HWV 56
Novello Edition, Part II • No. 44 Chorus 'Hallelujah' (Chorus)Mark Padmore (Tenor), Alastair Miles (Bass), Sara Mingardo (Alto), Susan Gritton (Soprano), Sir Colin Davis
London Symphony Orchestra, Tenebrae℗ 2007 - Handel • Messiah HWV 56 • Novello Edition, Part III • No. 45 Aria 'I know that my Redeemer liveth' (Soprano)Messiah HWV 56
Novello Edition, Part III • No. 45 Aria 'I know that my Redeemer liveth' (Soprano)Mark Padmore (Tenor), Alastair Miles (Bass), Sara Mingardo (Alto), Susan Gritton (Soprano), Sir Colin Davis
London Symphony Orchestra, Tenebrae℗ 2007 - Handel • Messiah HWV 56 • Novello Edition, Part III • No. 48 Aria 'The trumpet shall sound' (Bass)Messiah HWV 56
Novello Edition, Part III • No. 48 Aria 'The trumpet shall sound' (Bass)Mark Padmore (Tenor), Alastair Miles (Bass), Sara Mingardo (Alto), Susan Gritton (Soprano), Sir Colin Davis
London Symphony Orchestra, Tenebrae℗ 2007 - Handel • Messiah HWV 56 • Novello Edition, Part III • No. 50 Duet 'O death, where is thy sting' (Alto, Tenor)Messiah HWV 56
Novello Edition, Part III • No. 50 Duet 'O death, where is thy sting' (Alto, Tenor)Mark Padmore (Tenor), Alastair Miles (Bass), Sara Mingardo (Alto), Susan Gritton (Soprano), Sir Colin Davis
London Symphony Orchestra, Tenebrae℗ 2007 - Handel • Messiah HWV 56 • Novello Edition, Part III • No. 51 Chorus 'But thanks be to God' (Chorus)Messiah HWV 56
Novello Edition, Part III • No. 51 Chorus 'But thanks be to God' (Chorus)Mark Padmore (Tenor), Alastair Miles (Bass), Sara Mingardo (Alto), Susan Gritton (Soprano), Sir Colin Davis
London Symphony Orchestra, Tenebrae℗ 2007 - Handel • Messiah HWV 56 • Novello Edition, Part III • No. 52 Aria 'If God be for us' (Soprano)Messiah HWV 56
Novello Edition, Part III • No. 52 Aria 'If God be for us' (Soprano)Mark Padmore (Tenor), Alastair Miles (Bass), Sara Mingardo (Alto), Susan Gritton (Soprano), Sir Colin Davis
London Symphony Orchestra, Tenebrae℗ 2007 - Handel • Messiah HWV 56 • Novello Edition, Part III • No. 53 Chorus 'Worthy is the Lamb that was slain' (Chorus)Messiah HWV 56
Novello Edition, Part III • No. 53 Chorus 'Worthy is the Lamb that was slain' (Chorus)Mark Padmore (Tenor), Alastair Miles (Bass), Sara Mingardo (Alto), Susan Gritton (Soprano), Sir Colin Davis
London Symphony Orchestra, Tenebrae℗ 2007 - Handel • Messiah HWV 56 • Novello Edition, Part III • No. 53a 'Amen' (Chorus)Messiah HWV 56
Novello Edition, Part III • No. 53a 'Amen' (Chorus)Mark Padmore (Tenor), Alastair Miles (Bass), Sara Mingardo (Alto), Susan Gritton (Soprano), Sir Colin Davis
London Symphony Orchestra, Tenebrae℗ 2007
Born Georg Friedrich Händel (he anglicised his name when he became a naturalized English citizen in 1726) in the German town of Halle, he travelled widely in Italy before a brief stint at the court in Hanover. That came to an end when he received an invitation to write an opera for a London in thrall to the latest fashion for 'opera seria'. His position in the English capital was further reinforced with the coronation of the Hanoverian George I. For George I he composed his 'Water Music' Suite in 1717, and when he was succeeded by George II, Handel provided anthems for the Coronation, including 'Zadok the Priest'. Throughout his long, successful career Handel mastered multiple genres, and switched with the change of fashion from opera to oratorio (the most famous of which is 'Messiah') with particular success. His music can be as thrilling to us today as it must have been to audiences at the time and epitomises the grandeur and splendour of the Baroque. But it also, especially in his vocal music, conveys a touching and very human intimacy.