Customer Reviews

Ian Bostridge - Great Handel

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Just when the torrent of Handel recitals seemed to have slowed, we get two great tenor recitals in less than a month. Mark Padmore and Ian Bostridge double up on only a few airs - Where'er you walk, Total eclipse, As steals the morn, Waft her, angels. Padmore is more dramatic, with longer scenes; Bostridge more lyrical. I usually listen to them back to back, but if I only have time for one, it is the Bostridge that gets chosen. His "Waft her, angels" pierces the heart.

SOMETIMES DEVOTIONAL, ALWAYS EMOTIONAL, BUT MOSTLY SENSATIONAL!!

"Handel is the GREATEST composer who ever lived. I would bare my head and kneel at his grave." Thus said the great Beethoven.

The repertoire on this album is from both Handel's famous operas and oratorios, some of which were written for castrati. Ian Bostridge says that his aim is to put the spotlight back on the Handel tenor with the making of this album, while he also attempts to represent with the program, Handel's ability to recreate himself while remaining essentially the same. Handel has long been identified with great Choral Music, in part, and mostly with 'The Messiah'. Without diminishing the power of his traditional work, informed opinion lately has come to the true heart of his greatness: Opera.

Ian Bostridge, accompanied by the sublime Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, takes on a selection of arias and airs (and two duets) from Handel's operas and oratorios. He embraces these excerpts with equal parts grace, as in the lovely 'Ombra Mai Fu' and gives due strength to 'Scherzo infido' from 'Arodante'; and reminds us that great roles in late Baroque opera weren't confined to countertenors.

I have always been attracted to the sound of Bostridge's voice, and his singing is manufactured from a very intelligent mind, and a musical sensitivity that is rare in many singers. But in the past 10 years his voice has deepened and grown and I think he has attained the perfection for which he was striving. I have really never heard the much sung 'Where'er you walk' performed with such incredible emotion and feeling. Even the very fine tenor John Aler,who sang the song in the outstanding award-winning opera 'Semele', really does not match Bostridge's renditon on this disc. The entire album is superior, as is the Mark Padmore album that was just released. There are a few songs that are the same, but that in no way interferes with your enjoyment of both of them. Two fine tenors, each doing their own wonderful interpretation. I could not live without either of the them; my ears would curl up and die!!!!!

I get the feeling that Amazon has given up providing official (paid for) reviews, so buyers won't be told that this colleciton of Handel from Ian Bostridge selects from Ariodante, Acis and Galatea, Samson, Jephtha, L'allegro e il penserosso, Semele, and of course, Messiah. The singer's voice has darkened since its fragile, willowy early days, and even though there are still a few holdouts like me who cannot abide its eccentric reedy timbre, there is no doubt about Bostridge's artistry. Here he gets good period accompaniment from the famous Age of Enlighenment orchestra (zingy strings, no vibrato), although the conducting is notably sluggish at points. The singer avoids his often excessive underlining and over-acting, so all in all one must call this CD one of his best recent outings.

What can I say about this recording? Bostridge's singing is unstylish, mannered and self-indulgent. He fails to touch, and to thrill. Several of the arias on this disc weren't written for a tenor in the first place, by the way. The playing of the OAE is the only joy on this disc. For a much more adventurous, exemplary programmed cd, which moreover is infinitely better excecuted and engaging, go for Mark Padmore's superb collection of Handel scenes and arias for tenor.

When it came to composing music of sheer ethereal quality has Georg Frederick Handel ever had an equal? For my money no composer married the voice and orchestra so sublimely.This cd showcases the Handelian X factor,his innate ability to churn out timeless melodies.The choice of music here is just right and its execution, near perfect.Bostridge and the OAE show a sensitivty and touch to the music that certainly does it justice.There are many gems here but Ian Bostridge makes 'Waft her angels' his own.It's hard to imagine a better rendition.This along with 'Scherza Infida' and 'As steals the morn' are worth the entry fee alone.The latter track should take its place in the pantheon of the greatest airs ever composed.It could well be the most perfect duet of all time.Just listen to the interplay building from where the line 'so truth does fancy's charm dissolve'comes in.Special,very special.

This is a beautiful collection; a fine addition to one's library. With Bostridge one knows what to expect: a brilliant artistic interpretation that never fails to deliver an impassioned performance.
Nice job!

Bostridge sounds great on this album. He blends well with the OAE, who also sound wonderful. Although I've been singing Handel for years, this album was a nice intro to the range of styles in his writing; from the buoyant Love Sounds Th'alarm to the meditative As Steals the Morn.

I am a fan of Handel and Bostridge, so I am interesting that how to link them to show. In fact, I am still appreciated in Bostridge's voices, young but energetic, warm with pure, but that's the reason what I think he didn't express complete handel, he appears his individual handel.
I mean that Bostridge often sing to touch listeners depth, ex , schubert britten, his beautiful voices belong to lyric art. Handel's music, especial on opera, often show more skills on it. I don't think Bostridge's skill is weak, but that didn't express his professional.
If you focused on the arias of this disc, you would understand what I said. These are belong to Bostridge's beauty only.

I love this. You will, too. I recommend you buying this. Bostridge's voice and songs are so addictive. "Great Handel" is even more so. I have to listen to this album everyday. Mr. (Dr.) Bostridge, thank you so much for making this album.

I couldn't wait to receive this CD after hearing the promotional video, and I wasn't disappointed. Bostridge's understanding of music, text, and affect comes through clearly. Most of all I find his singing extremely moving, which is what it's all about, right?

[I just read the comment on the Mark Padmore Handel CD, so am listening to his "Waft her, angels" - I cannot believe what I am hearing. Every note is sung/played the same - no shape, no inflection, no affect, same [lack of] getting across any meaning of the text. And TEC isn't any better. It sounds like a student reading, very perfunctory...] But alas, I digress...

Bostridge has my complete admiration as a consummate artist, as do conductor Harry Bicket and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, whose superb musicianship and musical sensibilities are so beautifully formed, and who are a vital part of this musical experience.