Immerse yourself in the timeless elegance of George Frideric Handel's masterpieces with "The Essential Handel," a meticulously curated collection of his most celebrated works. Released on October 5, 2025, under the prestigious Naxos Special Projects label, this album spans the genres of classical, choral, and opera, offering a comprehensive journey through Handel's prolific career.
With a runtime of 2 hours and 22 minutes, the album features iconic compositions such as "Zadok the Priest," "Hallelujah" from "Messiah," and "Arrival of the Queen of Sheba." The tracklist also includes lesser-known gems like "Aria. Love sounds th'alarm (Acis)" and "Duet and chorus: My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord," showcasing Handel's versatility and depth.
Handel's ability to blend orchestral grandeur with vocal brilliance is evident throughout the album. From the stirring "See here the conqu'ring hero comes" to the serene "Larghetto from 'Xerxes'," each piece is a testament to his enduring influence on classical music. The album also features instrumental works like "Op. 6, No. 5 in D Major: Allegro" and "Vivace (Bearb. Für Trompete und Orchester)," highlighting Handel's mastery of both vocal and instrumental forms.
"The Essential Handel" is not just a compilation but a celebration of Handel's genius, offering a rich tapestry of sound that appeals to both seasoned classical enthusiasts and newcomers alike. Whether you're drawn to the powerful choruses, the delicate arias, or the intricate instrumental pieces, this album promises a captivating listening experience that underscores Handel's lasting legacy in the world of classical music.
Tracks
IV. La RéjouissanceGeorge Frideric Handel, Aradia Ensemble, Kevin Mallon
HallelujahGeorge Frideric Handel, Bratislava City Chorus, Capella Istropolitana, Jaroslav Krcek
III. AllegroGeorge Frideric Handel, Capella Istropolitana, Jozef Kopelman
IV. Air mit 5 variationen "Harmonious Blacksmith"George Frideric Handel, Philip Edward Fisher
II. Alla HornpipeGeorge Frideric Handel, Aradia Ensemble, Kevin Mallon
Aria. Lascia ch’io pianga (Almirena)George Frideric Handel, Marion Newman, Laura Whalen, Kimberley Barber, Jennifer Ens Modolo, Sean Watson, Barbara Hannigan, Giles Tomkins, Nicole Bower, Catherine Affleck, Melinda Delorme, Lenard Whiting, Opera in Concert, Aradia Ensemble, Kevin Mallon
See here the conqu'ring hero comes (Judas Maccabaeus) [arr. For orchestra]George Frideric Handel, Capella Istropolitana, Richard Edlinger
II. AllegroGeorge Frideric Handel, Capella Istropolitana, Jozef Kopelman
No. 12, For unto Us a Child Is BornGeorge Frideric Handel, Concert Artists of Baltimore Symphonic Chorale, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Edward Polochick
III. SarabandeGeorge Frideric Handel, Anthony Camden, City of London Sinfonia, Nicholas Ward
Aria. Love sounds th'alarm (Acis)George Frideric Handel, Dawn Kotoski, David Gordon, Glenn Siebert, Jan Opalach, Seattle Symphony Chorale, Seattle Symphony Orchestra, Gerard Schwarz
I. LarghettoGeorge Frideric Handel, László Czidra, Pál Kelemen, Zsuzsa Pertis
Zadok the PriestGeorge Frideric Handel, Thomas Tallis Chamber Choir, Royal Academy Consort, Jeremy Summerly
Blessed be God. Alleluja (chorus)George Frideric Handel, James Bowman, Andrew Ashwin, Maciek O' Shea, Chapel Royal Choir, The Musicians Extra-Ordinary, Andrew Gant
"the Cuckoo & the Nightingale": AllegroGeorge Frideric Handel, Johann Aratore, Handel Festival Chamber Orchestra, John Tinge
Larghetto from "Xerxes"George Frideric Handel, Jozef Cejka, Capella Istropolitana, Richard Edlinger
I. Dixit Dominus Domino meoGeorge Frideric Handel, The Scholars Baroque Ensemble
I. Larghetto affettuosoGeorge Frideric Handel, Aradia Ensemble, Kevin Mallon
Arrival of the Queen of ShebaGeorge Frideric Handel, Budapest Strings, Béla Bánfalvi
II. VivaceGeorge Frideric Handel, Christoph Huntgeburth, Raphael Alpermann
IV. SarabandeGeorge Frideric Handel, Laurence Cummings
No. 45, I Know That My Redeemer LivethGeorge Frideric Handel, Jennifer O'Loughlin, Edward Polochick, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
IV. GigueGeorge Frideric Handel, Ensemble Vintage Köln
VI. AirGeorge Frideric Handel, Aradia Ensemble, Kevin Mallon
Op. 6, No. 5 in D Major: AllegroGeorge Frideric Handel, Capella Istropolitana, Jozef Kopelman
What Passion Cannot Music Raise and QuellGeorge Frideric Handel, Dorothee Mields, Concerto Polacco, Wolfgang Helbich
Vivace (Bearb. Für Trompete und Orchester)George Frideric Handel, Miroslav Kejmar, Capella Istropolitana, Richard Edlinger
III. La paixGeorge Frideric Handel, Aradia Ensemble, Kevin Mallon
No. 53, Worthy Is the Lamb That Was SlainGeorge Frideric Handel, Concert Artists of Baltimore Symphonic Chorale, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Edward Polochick
SymphonyGeorge Frideric Handel, Laura Albino, Nils Brown, Jennifer Ens Modolo, Peter Mahon, Eve Rachel McLeod, Jason Nedecky, Bud Roach, Jennie Such, Sean Watson, Aradia Ensemble, Kevin Mallon
Let the Bright SeraphimGeorge Frideric Handel, Susanne Rydén, Niklas Eklund, London Baroque, Charles Medlam
III. LarghettoGeorge Frideric Handel, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Bin Huang, Hyun-Sun Kim
Op. 6, No. 6 in G Minor: Larghetto e affettuosoGeorge Frideric Handel, Capella Istropolitana, Jozef Kopelman
Duet and chorus: My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord (bass, alto, chorus)George Frideric Handel, Jacob Ferguson-Lobo, James Bowman, Michael McGuire, Jerome Finnis, Maciek O' Shea, Chapel Royal Choir, The Musicians Extra-Ordinary, Andrew Gant
II. AllegroGeorge Frideric Handel, László Czidra, Pál Kelemen, Zsuzsa Pertis
I. AdagioGeorge Frideric Handel, Philip Edward Fisher
Vouchsafe, O Lord, to Keep Us This DayGeorge Frideric Handel, Ulrike Andersen, Concerto Polacco, Wolfgang Helbich
Pastoral SymphonyGeorge Frideric Handel, Capella Istropolitana, Jaroslav Krcek
V. March (Arr. For trumpet and orchestra)George Frideric Handel, Niklas Eklund, Drottningholm Baroque Ensemble, Nils-Erik Sparf
Sextet and chorus: As pants the hart for cooling streamsGeorge Frideric Handel, Jacob Ferguson-Lobo, Alexander May, James Bowman, Michael McGuire, Jerome Finnis, Andrew Ashwin, Maciek O' Shea, Chapel Royal Choir, The Musicians Extra-Ordinary, Andrew Gant
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