Handel: Judas Maccabaeus [Import]

George Frederick Handel (Composer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Composer: George Frederick Handel
• Audio CD (September 1, 1995)
• Number of Discs: 3
• Format: Import
• Label: Dg Imports
• ASIN: B00000130B
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #213,207 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Judas Maccabaeus, oratorio, HWV 63: No. 1. Overture. Without tempo indication / Allegro / Lentement / Allegro - English Chamber Orchestra

2. Judas Maccabaeus, oratorio, HWV 63: Act 1. No. 2. Chorus. Mourn, ye afflicted children - English Chamber Orchestra

3. Judas Maccabaeus, oratorio, HWV 63: Act 1. No. 3. Recitative. Well, may your sorrows, brethren, flow - English Chamber Orchestra

4. Judas Maccabaeus, oratorio, HWV 63: Act 1. No. 4. Duet. From this dread scene, these adverse pow'rs - English Chamber Orchestra

5. Judas Maccabaeus, oratorio, HWV 63: Act 1. No. 5. Chorus. For Sion lamentation make - English Chamber Orchestra

6. Judas Maccabaeus, oratorio, HWV 63: Act 1. No. 6. Recitative. Not vain is all this storm of grief - English Chamber Orchestra

See all 26 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Judas Maccabaeus, oratorio, HWV 63: Act 2. No. 27. Chorus. Fall'n is the foe; so fall Thy foes, oh Lord! - Michael Davis

2. Judas Maccabaeus, oratorio, HWV 63: Act 2. No. 28. Recitative. Victorious hero! Fame shall tell - Janet Baker

3. Judas Maccabaeus, oratorio, HWV 63: Act 2. No. 29. Aria. So rapid thy course is - Janet Baker

4. Judas Maccabaeus, oratorio, HWV 63: Act 2. No. 30. Recitative. Well may we hope our freedom to receive

5. Judas Maccabaeus, oratorio, HWV 63: Act 2. No. 31. Duet. Sion now her head shall raise / No. 32. Chorus. Sion now her head shall rais

6. Judas Maccabaeus, oratorio, HWV 63: Act 2. No. 33. Recitative. Oh let eternal honours crown his name

See all 20 tracks on this disc

Disc: 3

1. Judas Maccabaeus, oratorio, HWV 63: Act 3. No. 53. Aria. Father of Heav'n! from Thy eternal throne - Felicity Palmer

2. Judas Maccabaeus, oratorio, HWV 63: Act 3. No. 54. Recitative. See, see yon flames, that from the altar broke - John Shirley-Quirk

3. Judas Maccabaeus, oratorio, HWV 63: Act 3. No. 55. Recitative. Oh grant it, Heav'n, that our long woes may cease

4. Judas Maccabaeus, oratorio, HWV 63: Act 3. No. 56. Aria. So shall the lute and harp awake

5. Judas Maccabaeus, oratorio, HWV 63: Act 3. No. 57. Recitative. From Capharsalama, on eagle wings I fly

6. Judas Maccabaeus, oratorio, HWV 63: Act 3. No. 58. Chorus of Youths. See the conqu'ring hero comes! / Chorus of Virgins. See the godl

See all 15 tracks on this disc

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An exciting and thoroughly delightful performance of Handel's gem, September 22, 2011

By 

R. Nadel "Opinion Above Knowledge!" (Boulder, CO, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Handel: Judas Maccabaeus (Audio CD)

Charles Mackerras knows his way around Handel, and with his team of excellent soloists and orchestral & choral forces, he delivers a wonderful experience. I have treasured this recording for many years, going back to when it was on vinyl.

Mackerras' conducting is lively, crisp, and intelligent. Extrovert and forceful in the big moments, sensitive and moving in the tender moments. Mackerras and his team put themselves at the service of the composer and this music. Personalities do not emerge to over-interpret Handel's musical and dramatic intentions. The music is allowed to speak for itself.

The 1977 recording is remastered, but this should not be a consideration as the sound is excellent in every way: detailed, realistic, and dynamic. It was always known for having great sound on LP, and it has to be heard to be believed on CD.

The soloists in this recording are all excellent and well-known - some are opera stars, others have made their name in baroque interpretation. They all sing tastefully. In particular Janet Baker is, as always, a standout! Her duets with Felicity Palmer (not Heather Harper as another reviewer stated) are glorious and moving. I do think the singers are recorded a little close at times, but that is not a big issue.

The orchestra and chorus are full, as was the practice in the 70s. This means the sound is lush and warm, which many listeners have come to expect. But that also means that the orchestration is less transparent and the larger chorus is not as clear. Today's trend towards smaller orchestra and chorus lets the details emerge and we hear more of the individual contributions. But, nonetheless, the orchestra and chorus here are technically marvelous; their playing is very exciting and deft. In the big moments they are riveting and in the tender moments they accompany the soloists very sensitively.

Another nice feature is the inclusion of generous historical notes and the full text.

This is a marvelous recording in every way, and I highly recommend it. Those seeking a more Historically Informed Performance (HIP) in digital sound should investigate an inspired live recording conducted by Jurgen Budday on the K&K label.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Handel : Judas Maccabaeus, February 3, 2011

By 

Bjorn Viberg (European Union) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Handel : Judas Maccabaeus (Audio Cassette)

Handel: Judas Maccabaeus is a recording under the direction of Sir Charles Mackerras who leads the English Chamber Orchestra on this 1977 Polydor International Gmbh recording. The libretto was written by Thomas Morell and is quite amazing in its own right. The booklet is 64 pages. It contains many nice photographs of the performers from the time of the recording. Anthony Hicks has written very informative and well-written liner-notes. The lyrics are available in French, German and English. Highly recommended. 5/5.

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good music, November 8, 2011

By 

Hultberg Tomas "Joker" (Stockholm SWEDEN) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Handel: Judas Maccabaeus (Audio CD)

Well this is a good piece of music and I must say that I can recommend this CD. Really. Judas Maccabeus is maybe not "top of the line" but you can listen to it.