Handel: Jephtha - Gale, Linos, Sima, Hollweg, Esswood, Thomaschke, Mozart-Sängerknaben, Arnold Schoenberg Chor, Concentus Musicus Wien, Nikolaus Harnoncourt / Das Alte Werk / TELDEC 3x Audio CD 1997 / 0630-17390-2

UPC 706301739020

Product Features

• Title: Handel: Jephtha
• Label: TELDEC
• Format: 3 x CD, Album
• Release Date: 1997
• Country: Germany
• Genre: Classical
• Style: Baroque, Oratorio

Overview

This exceptional 3-CD set presents Georg Friedrich Handel's Jephtha, an oratorio that showcases the composer’s skill in blending dramatic storytelling with intricate musical forms. Conducted by the renowned Nikolaus Harnoncourt, this performance features a stellar cast of vocalists including Elizabeth Gale (soprano), Glenys Linos (mezzo-soprano), Paul Esswood (countertenor), and Werner Hollweg (tenor), along with the Concentus Musicus Wien and the Arnold Schoenberg Chor. The oratorio, based on the biblical story of Jephtha, is a profound exploration of sacrifice, faith, and redemption, with Handel’s signature depth of emotion and counterpoint. This version is notable for its historically informed performance, captured with clarity and precision.

Interesting Facts

• Historically Informed Performance: Conductor Nikolaus Harnoncourt was a pioneer of historically informed performances, using period instruments to bring out the full character of Handel’s work.
• Vocal Performances: The cast includes some of the leading voices in Baroque music, including countertenor Paul Esswood and soprano Elizabeth Gale.
• Choral Excellence: The performance is enriched by the contributions of the Arnold Schoenberg Chor and the Mozart-Sängerknaben, offering a full and dynamic choral texture that brings the oratorio to life.
• Oratorio's Theme: Jephtha is based on the biblical story of a father who vows to sacrifice his daughter if victorious in battle, a profound and emotional tale about faith and fate.

Track Listing

CD 1:

• 1-1. Ouverture - Menuet – 6:52
• Act One:
  • 1-2. Accompagnato – 6:45
  • 1-3. Chorus – 2:46
  • 1-4. Recitativo Zebul, Jephitha – 5:06
  • 1-5. Recitativo Storgé – 5:54
  • 1-6. Recitativo Hamor – 5:06
  • 1-7. Recitativo Iphis – 4:26
  • 1-8. Recitativo Hamor – 6:52
  • 1-9. Recitativo Jephitha – 1:48
  • 1-10. Chorus – 4:06
  • 1-11. Recitativo Storgé – 5:12
  • 1-12. Recitativo Iphis, Storgé – 4:13
  • 1-13. Recitativo Zebul, Jephitha – 0:29
  • 1-14. Chorus – 4:29

CD 2:

• Act Two:
  • 2-1. Recitativo Hamor – 1:05
  • 2-2. Chorus – 3:35
  • 2-3. Aria – 4:57
  • 2-4. Recitativo Iphis – 4:36
  • 2-5. Recitativo Zebul – 3:43
  • 2-6. Aria – 6:29
  • 2-7. Chorus – 2:23
  • 2-8. Symphony – 1:23
  • 2-9. Aria – 4:54
  • 2-10. Recitativo Jephitha – 4:17
  • 2-11. Recitativo Zebul, Jephitha – 1:11
  • 2-12. Concitato (Allegro) Storgé – 2:50
  • 2-13. Recitativo Hamor – 1:51
  • 2-14. Quartet (Andante) – 2:32
  • 2-15. Recitativo Iphis – 5:17
  • 2-16. Accompagnato (Largo) Jephitha – 3:39
  • 2-17. Chorus: How dark – 6:42

CD 3:

• Act Three:
  • 3-1. Aria (Andante) Jephitha – 6:20
  • 3-2. Accompagnato Iphis – 5:40
  • 3-3. Chorus – 3:07
  • 3-4. Recitativo Zebul – 1:53
  • 3-5. Recitativo Angel – 5:53
  • 3-6. (Larghetto) Jephitha – 1:48
  • 3-7. Chorus – 3:08
  • 3-8. Recitativo Zebul – 2:38
  • 3-9. Recitativo Storgé – 2:31
  • 3-10. Recitativo Hamor – 7:35
  • 3-11. Recitativo Iphis – 5:59
  • 3-12. Chorus – 3:25

Key Credits

• Composer: Georg Friedrich Handel
• Conductor: Nikolaus Harnoncourt
• Orchestra: Concentus Musicus Wien
• Choral Groups: Arnold Schoenberg Chor, Mozart-Sängerknaben
• Chorus Masters: Erich Schwarzbauer, Erwin Ortner
• Soprano Vocals: Elizabeth Gale, Gabriele Sima
• Mezzo-soprano Vocals: Glenys Linos
• Countertenor Vocals: Paul Esswood
• Tenor Vocals: Werner Hollweg
• Bass Vocals: Thomas Thomaschke
• Producer: Heinrich J. Weritz