Dive into the rich and dramatic world of George Frideric Handel's "Belshazzar" with this stunning 2013 release from Les Arts Florissants, conducted by the renowned William Christie. This monumental work, HWV 61, is one of Handel's strongest dramatic oratorios, showcasing his masterful compositional skills and the profound depth of his musical storytelling.
Spanning nearly two and a half hours, this choral and operatic masterpiece is a testament to Handel's enduring genius. The album features a comprehensive tracklist of 45 songs, each meticulously crafted to bring the biblical story of Belshazzar to life. From the stirring "Overture" to the powerful choruses and arias, every piece is a testament to Handel's ability to evoke a range of human experiences and divine themes.
Handel's "Belshazzar" is not just an album; it is a journey through the grandeur and complexity of Handel's musical vision. The work is set to what is considered one of the best English oratorio librettos by Charles Jennens, adding an extra layer of literary richness to the musical experience. The performance by Les Arts Florissants, known for their historical accuracy and expressive depth, brings out the best in Handel's score, making this release a standout in the classical repertoire.
Whether you are a seasoned fan of Handel's work or a newcomer to his oratorios, this album offers a profound and engaging listening experience. The intricate interplay of voices and instruments, the dramatic narratives, and the spiritual depth of the music make "Belshazzar" a timeless addition to any classical music collection.
Tracks
Belshazzar, HWV 61: OvertureGeorge Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants
Belshazzar, HWV 61: Accompagnato ed Arioso: "Vain Fluctuating State of Human Empire!"George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants, Rosemary Joshua
Belshazzar, HWV 61: Aria: "Thou, God Most High, and Thou Alone"George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants, Rosemary Joshua
Belshazzar, HWV 61: Recitative: "The Fate of Babylon, I Fear, Is Nigh.", "O Much Belov'd"George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants, Rosemary Joshua
Belshazzar, HWV 61: Air: "Lament Not Thus, O Queen, in Vain!"George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants, Iestyn Davies
Belshazzar, HWV 61: Chorus of Babylonians: "Behold By Persia'S Hero Made"George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants
Belshazzar, HWV 61: Recitative: "Well May They Laugh, from Meagre Famine Safe" - Accompagnato: "Oh Memory"George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants, Jonathan Lemalu
Belshazzar, HWV 61: Aria: "Opprest With Never Ceasing Grief"George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants, Jonathan Lemalu
Belshazzar, HWV 61: Aria: "Dry Those Unavailing Tears"George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants, Caitlin Hulcup
Belshazzar, HWV 61: Recitative: "Be Comforted: Safe Tho' the Tyrant Seem" - Accompagnato: "Methought, As On the Bank of Deep Euphrates"George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants, Caitlin Hulcup
Belshazzar, HWV 61: Aria: "Behold the Monstrous Human Beast"George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants, Jonathan Lemalu
Belshazzar, HWV 61: Recitative: "Can You Then Think It Strange, If Drown'd in Wine" - Aria: "Great God! Who Yet But Darkly Known"George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants, Caitlin Hulcup
Belshazzar, HWV 61: Chorus: "All Empires Upon God Depend"George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants
Belshazzar, HWV 61: Arioso: "O Sacred Oracles of Truth!" - Aria: "Amaz'd to Find the Foe So Near" - Chorus of Persians: "to Arms, to Arms, No More Delay"George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants, Iestyn Davies
Belshazzar, HWV 61: Accompagnato: "Rejoice, My Countrymen: the Time Draws Near" - Recitative: "For Long Ago" - Accompagnato: "Thus Saith the Lord to Cyrus His Anointed"George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants, Iestyn Davies
Belshazzar, HWV 61: Chorus: "Sing, O Ye Heav'Ns, for the Lord Hath Done It"George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants
Belshazzar, HWV 61: Aria: "Let Festal Joy Triumphant Reign" - Recitative: "For You, My Friends, the Nobles of My Court"George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants, Allan Clayton
Belshazzar, HWV 61: Aria: "The Leafy Honours of the Field"George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants, Rosemary Joshua
Belshazzar, HWV 61: Recitative: "It Is the Custom; I May Say, the Law"George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants, Allan Clayton, Rosemary Joshua
Belshazzar, HWV 61: Chorus of Jews: "Recall, O King, Thy Rash Command"George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants
Belshazzar, HWV 61: Recitative: "They Tell You True; Nor Can You Be to Learn"George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants, Allan Clayton, Rosemary Joshua
Belshazzar, HWV 61: Duet: "O Dearer Than My Life, Forbear"George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants, Allan Clayton, Rosemary Joshua
Belshazzar, HWV 61: Chorus of Jews: "By Slow Degrees the Wrath of God to Its Meridian Height Ascends"George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants
Belshazzar, HWV 61: Chorus: "See, from His Post Euphrates Flies!" - Semichorus: "Why Faithless River Dost Thou Leave" - Semichorus: "Euphrates Hath His Task Fulfil'd" - Chorus: "Of Things On Earth, Proud Man Must Own"George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants
Belshazzar, HWV 61: Recitative: "You See, My Friends, a Path Into the City" - Aria: "Amaz'd to Find the Foe So Near" - Chorus of Persians: "to Arms, to Arms, No More Delay"George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants, Caitlin Hulcup
Belshazzar, HWV 61: Chorus: "Ye Tutelar Gods of Our Empire, Look Down"George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants
Belshazzar, HWV 61: Aria: "Let the Deep Bowl Thy Praise Confess"George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants, Allan Clayton
Belshazzar, HWV 61: Accompagnato and Chorus: "Where Is the God of Judah'S Boasted Pow'R?" - Recitative: "Call All Our Wisemen, Sorcerers, Chaldeans"George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants, Allan Clayton
Belshazzar, HWV 61: SymphonyGeorge Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants
Belshazzar, HWV 61: Recitative "Ye Sages, Welcome Always to Your King" - Trio: "Alas! Too Hard a Task the King Imposes" - Chorus: "O Misery! O Terror! Hopeless Grief!"George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants, Allan Clayton
Belshazzar, HWV 61: Recitative: "O King, Live for Ever!" - Aria: "No: to Thyself Thy Trifles Be"George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants, Allan Clayton, Rosemary Joshua
Belshazzar, HWV 61: Accompagnato: "Yet to Obey His Dread Command", "Thou, O King, Hast Lifted Up Thyself" - Recitative: "O Sentence Too Severe! and Yet Too Sure!"George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants, Iestyn Davies
Belshazzar, HWV 61: Aria: "Regard, O Son, My Flowing Tears"George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants, Rosemary Joshua
Belshazzar, HWV 61: Aria: "O God of Truth! O Faithful Guide!" - Recitative: "You, Gobrias, Lead Directly to the Palace"George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants, Caitlin Hulcup
Belshazzar, HWV 61: Chorus: "O Glorious Prince! Thrice Happy They"George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants
Belshazzar, HWV 61: Aria: "Alternate Hopes and Fears Distract My Mind" - Recitative: "Fain Would I Hope. Is There Not Room to Hope?"George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants, Rosemary Joshua, Iestyn Davies
Belshazzar, HWV 61: Aria: "Can the Black Æthiop Change His Skin?" Recitative "My Hopes Revive, Here Arioch Comes: By This"George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants, Iestyn Davies
Belshazzar, HWV 61: Chorus of Jews: "Bel Boweth Down! Nebo Stoopeth!"George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants
Belshazzar, HWV 61: Aria: "I Thank Thee, Sesach, Thy Sweet Pow'R" - a Martial SymphonyGeorge Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants, Allan Clayton
Belshazzar, HWV 61: Aria: "To Pow'R Immortal My First Thanks Are Due" - Recitative: "Be It Thy Care, Good Gobrias, to Find Out"George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants, Jonathan Lemalu
Belshazzar, HWV 61: Aria: "Destructive War Thy Limits Know"George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants, Caitlin Hulcup
Belshazzar, HWV 61: Duett: "Great Victor, At Your Feet I Bow" - Recitative: "Say, Venerable Prophet, Is There Ought"George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants, Rosemary Joshua, Caitlin Hulcup
Belshazzar, HWV 61: Soli and Chorus: "Tell It Out Among the Heathen, That the Lord Is King."George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants, Caitlin Hulcup, Jonathan Lemalu, Iestyn Davies
Belshazzar, HWV 61: Accompagnato: "Yes, I Will Build Thy City, God of Israel"George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants, Caitlin Hulcup
Belshazzar, HWV 61: Anthem: "I Will Magnify Thee, O God My King,"George Frideric Handel, William Christie, Les Arts Florissants, Iestyn Davies, Rosemary Joshua
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