Handel: Jephtha / Biondi, Gilchrist, Kielland, Stensvold, Julsrud, Jansson

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Label
BIS
Release Date
February 1, 2011
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    Featuring ⌄
    • COMPOSER
      HANDEL, GEORGE FRIDERIC
    • PERFORMER
      Mona, Elisabeth, Julsrud, James, Jansson, Fabio, Collegium Vocale Gent, Gilchrist, Audience, Biondi
    Product Details ⌄
    • RELEASE DATE
      February 01, 2011
    • UPC
      7318590018644
    • CATALOG NUMBER
      BIS-CD-1864
    • LABEL
      BIS
    • NUMBER OF DISCS
      2
    • GENRE
      Choral - Sacred
    Works ⌄

    1. Overture

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Stavanger Symphony Orchestra

      Conductor: Fabio Biondi

    2. Menuet

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Stavanger Symphony Orchestra

      Conductor: Fabio Biondi

    3. Act I Scene 1: Accompagnato: It must be so, or these vile Ammonites (Zebul)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Stavanger Symphony Orchestra

      Performer: Håvard Stensvold

      Conductor: Fabio Biondi

    4. Act I Scene 1: Air: Pour forth no more unheeded prayr's (Zebul)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Stavanger Symphony Orchestra

      Performer: Håvard Stensvold

      Conductor: Fabio Biondi

    5. Act I Scene 1: No more to Ammon's god and king (Chorus)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Collegium Vocale Gent, Stavanger Symphony Orchestra

      Conductor: Fabio Biondi

    6. Act I Scene 2: Recitative: But Jephtha comes (Zebul, Jephtha)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Stavanger Symphony Orchestra

      Performer: Håvard Stensvold, James Gilchrist

      Conductor: Fabio Biondi

    7. Act I Scene 2: Air: Virtue my soul shall still embrace (Jephtha)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Stavanger Symphony Orchestra

      Performer: James Gilchrist

      Conductor: Fabio Biondi

    8. Act I Scene 2: Recitative: Twill be a painful separation, Jephtha (Storge)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Stavanger Symphony Orchestra

      Performer: Elisabeth Jansson

      Conductor: Fabio Biondi

    9. Act I Scene 2: Air: In gentle murmurs will I mourn (Storge)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Stavanger Symphony Orchestra

      Performer: Elisabeth Jansson

      Conductor: Fabio Biondi

    10. Act I Scene 3: Recitative: Happy this embassy, my charming Iphis (Hamor)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Stavanger Symphony Orchestra

      Performer: Marianne Beate Kielland

      Conductor: Fabio Biondi

    11. Act I Scene 3: Air: Dull delay, in piercing anguish (Hamor)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Stavanger Symphony Orchestra

      Performer: Marianne Beate Kielland

      Conductor: Fabio Biondi

    12. Act I Scene 3: Recitative: Ill suits the voice of love (Iphis)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Stavanger Symphony Orchestra

      Performer: Mona Julsrud

      Conductor: Fabio Biondi

    13. Act I Scene 3: Air: Take the heart you fondly gave (Iphis)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Stavanger Symphony Orchestra

      Performer: Mona Julsrud

      Conductor: Fabio Biondi

    14. Act I Scene 3: Recitative: I go, my soul, inspir'd by thy command (Hamor)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Stavanger Symphony Orchestra

      Performer: Marianne Beate Kielland

      Conductor: Fabio Biondi

    15. Act I Scene 3: Duet: These labours past, how happy we (Iphis, Hamor)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Stavanger Symphony Orchestra

      Performer: Mona Julsrud, Marianne Beate Kielland

      Conductor: Fabio Biondi

    16. Act I Scene 4: Recitative: What mean these doubtful fancies of the brain? (Jephtha)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Stavanger Symphony Orchestra

      Performer: James Gilchrist

      Conductor: Fabio Biondi

    17. Act I Scene 4: O God, behold our sore distress (Chorus)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Collegium Vocale Gent, Stavanger Symphony Orchestra

      Conductor: Fabio Biondi

    18. Act I Scene 5: Recitative: Some dire event hangs o'er our heads (Storge)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Stavanger Symphony Orchestra

      Performer: Elisabeth Jansson

      Conductor: Fabio Biondi

    19. Act I Scene 5: Air: Scenes of horror, scenes of woe (Storge)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Stavanger Symphony Orchestra

      Performer: Elisabeth Jansson

      Conductor: Fabio Biondi

    20. Act I Scene 6: Recitative: Say, my dear mother, whence these piercing cries (Iphis, Storge)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Stavanger Symphony Orchestra

      Performer: Mona Julsrud, Elisabeth Jansson

      Conductor: Fabio Biondi

    21. Act I Scene 6: Air: The smiling dawn of happy days (Iphis)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Stavanger Symphony Orchestra

      Performer: Mona Julsrud

      Conductor: Fabio Biondi

    22. Act I Scene 7: Recitative: Such, Jephtha, was the haughty king's reply (Zebul, Jephtha)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Stavanger Symphony Orchestra

      Performer: Håvard Stensvold, James Gilchrist

      Conductor: Fabio Biondi

    23. Act I Scene 7: When his loud voice in thunder spoke (Chorus)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Collegium Vocale Gent, Stavanger Symphony Orchestra

      Conductor: Fabio Biondi

    24. Act II Scene 1: Recitative: Glad tidings of great joy to thee, dear Iphis (Hamor)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Stavanger Symphony Orchestra

      Performer: Marianne Beate Kielland

      Conductor: Fabio Biondi

    25. Act II Scene 1: Cherub and Seraphim, unbodied forms (Chorus)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Collegium Vocale Gent, Stavanger Symphony Orchestra

      Conductor: Fabio Biondi

    26. Act II Scene 1: Air: Up the dreadful steep ascending (Hamor)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Stavanger Symphony Orchestra

      Performer: Marianne Beate Kielland

      Conductor: Fabio Biondi

    27. Act II Scene 1: Recitative: Tis well. Haste, haste, ye maidens (Iphis)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Stavanger Symphony Orchestra

      Performer: Mona Julsrud

      Conductor: Fabio Biondi

    28. Act II Scene 1: Air: Tune the soft melodious lute (Iphis)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Stavanger Symphony Orchestra

      Performer: Mona Julsrud

      Conductor: Fabio Biondi

    29. Act II Scene 2: Recitative: Heav'n smiles once more on his repentant people (Jephtha)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Stavanger Symphony Orchestra

      Performer: James Gilchrist

      Conductor: Fabio Biondi

    30. Act II Scene 2: Air: His mighty arm, with sudden blow (Jephtha)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Stavanger Symphony Orchestra

      Performer: James Gilchrist

      Conductor: Fabio Biondi

    31. Act II Scene 2: In glory high, in might serene (Chorus)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Collegium Vocale Gent, Stavanger Symphony Orchestra

      Conductor: Fabio Biondi

    32. Act II Scene 3: Symphony

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Stavanger Symphony Orchestra

      Conductor: Fabio Biondi

    33. Act II Scene 3: Hail, glorious conqueror! (Iphis)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Stavanger Symphony Orchestra

      Performer: Mona Julsrud

      Conductor: Fabio Biondi

    34. Act II Scene 3: Air and Chorus: Welcome, as the cheerful light … Welcome thou, whose deeds conspire (Iphis, Chorus)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Collegium Vocale Gent, Stavanger Symphony Orchestra

      Performer: Mona Julsrud

      Conductor: Fabio Biondi

    35. Act II Scene 3: Recitative: Horror! Confusion! (Jephtha)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Stavanger Symphony Orchestra

      Performer: James Gilchrist

      Conductor: Fabio Biondi

    36. Act II Scene 3: Air: Open thy marble jaws, O tomb (Jephtha)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Stavanger Symphony Orchestra

      Performer: James Gilchrist

      Conductor: Fabio Biondi

    37. Act II Scene 3: Recitative: Why is my brother thus afflicted? (Zebul, Jephtha)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Stavanger Symphony Orchestra

      Performer: Håvard Stensvold, James Gilchrist

      Conductor: Fabio Biondi

    38. Act II Scene 3: Accompagnato and Arioso: First perish thou, and perish all the world! - Let other creatures (Storge)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Stavanger Symphony Orchestra

      Performer: Elisabeth Jansson

      Conductor: Fabio Biondi

    39. Act II Scene 3: Recitative: If such thy cruel purpose, lo, your friend (Hamor)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Stavanger Symphony Orchestra

      Performer: Marianne Beate Kielland

      Conductor: Fabio Biondi

    40. Act II Scene 3: Air: On me let blind mistaken zeal (Hamor)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Stavanger Symphony Orchestra

      Performer: Marianne Beate Kielland

      Conductor: Fabio Biondi

    41. Act II Scene 3: Quartet: O spare your daughter! (Storge, Hamor, Jephtha, Zebul)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Stavanger Symphony Orchestra

      Performer: Elisabeth Jansson, Marianne Beate Kielland, James Gilchrist, Håvard Stensvold

      Conductor: Fabio Biondi

    42. Act II Scene 4: Recitative: Such news flies swift (Iphis)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Stavanger Symphony Orchestra

      Performer: Mona Julsrud

      Conductor: Fabio Biondi

    43. Act II Scene 4: Air: Happy they! (Iphis)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Stavanger Symphony Orchestra

      Performer: Mona Julsrud

      Conductor: Fabio Biondi

    44. Act II Scene 4: Accompagnato: Deeper and deeper still, thy goodness, child (Jephtha)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Stavanger Symphony Orchestra

      Performer: James Gilchrist

      Conductor: Fabio Biondi

    45. Act II Scene 4: How dark, O Lord, are thy decrees! (Chorus)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Collegium Vocale Gent, Stavanger Symphony Orchestra

      Conductor: Fabio Biondi

    46. Act III Scene 1: Arioso: Hide thou thy hated beams (Jephtha)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Stavanger Symphony Orchestra

      Performer: James Gilchrist

      Conductor: Fabio Biondi

    47. Act III Scene 1: Air: Waft her, angels, through the skies (Jephtha)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Stavanger Symphony Orchestra

      Performer: James Gilchrist

      Conductor: Fabio Biondi

    48. Act III Scene 1: Accompagnato: Ye sacred priests, whose hands ne’er yet were stain'd (Iphis)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Stavanger Symphony Orchestra

      Performer: Mona Julsrud

      Conductor: Fabio Biondi

    49. Act III Scene 1: Air: Farewell, ye limpid springs and floods (Iphis)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Stavanger Symphony Orchestra

      Performer: Mona Julsrud

      Conductor: Fabio Biondi

    50. Act III Scene 1: Doubtful fear and reverend awe (Chorus)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Collegium Vocale Gent, Stavanger Symphony Orchestra

      Conductor: Fabio Biondi

    51. Act III Scene 1: Symphony

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Stavanger Symphony Orchestra

      Conductor: Fabio Biondi

    52. Act III Scene 1: Recitative: Rise, Jephtha, and ye rev’rend priests, withhold (Angel)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Stavanger Symphony Orchestra

      Performer: Elizabeth Rapp

      Conductor: Fabio Biondi

    53. Act III Scene 1: Air: Happy, Iphis, shalt thou live (Angel)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Stavanger Symphony Orchestra

      Performer: Elizabeth Rapp

      Conductor: Fabio Biondi

    54. Act III Scene 1: Arioso: For ever blessed be Thy holy name (Jephtha)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Stavanger Symphony Orchestra

      Performer: James Gilchrist

      Conductor: Fabio Biondi

    55. Act III Scene 1: Theme sublime of endless praise (Chorus)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Collegium Vocale Gent, Stavanger Symphony Orchestra

      Conductor: Fabio Biondi

    56. Act III Scene 2: Recitative: Let me congratulate, this happy turn (Zebul)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Stavanger Symphony Orchestra

      Performer: Håvard Stensvold

      Conductor: Fabio Biondi

    57. Act III Scene 2: Air: Laud her, all ye virgin train (Zebul)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Stavanger Symphony Orchestra

      Performer: Håvard Stensvold

      Conductor: Fabio Biondi

    58. Act III Scene 2: Recitative: O let me fold thee in a mother's arms (Storge)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Stavanger Symphony Orchestra

      Performer: Elisabeth Jansson

      Conductor: Fabio Biondi

    59. Act III Scene 2: Air: Sweet as sight to the blind (Storge)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Stavanger Symphony Orchestra

      Performer: Elisabeth Jansson

      Conductor: Fabio Biondi

    60. Act III Scene 2: Recitative: With transport, Iphis, I behold thy safety (Hamor)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Stavanger Symphony Orchestra

      Performer: Marianne Beate Kielland

      Conductor: Fabio Biondi

    61. Act III Scene 2: Recitative: With transport… - Aria: 'Tis Heaven's all ruling power… (Hamor)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Stavanger Symphony Orchestra

      Performer: Marianne Beate Kielland

      Conductor: Fabio Biondi

    62. Act III Scene 2: Recitative: My faithful Hamor, may that Providence (Iphis)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Stavanger Symphony Orchestra

      Performer: Mona Julsrud

      Conductor: Fabio Biondi

    63. Act III Scene 2: Quintet: All that is in Hamor mine (Iphis, Hamor, Storge, Jephtha, Zebul)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Stavanger Symphony Orchestra

      Performer: Mona Julsrud, Marianne Beate Kielland, Elisabeth Jansson, James Gilchrist, Håvard Stensvold

      Conductor: Fabio Biondi

    64. Act III Scene 2: Ye house of Gilead, with one voice (Chorus)

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Collegium Vocale Gent, Stavanger Symphony Orchestra

      Conductor: Fabio Biondi

    65. Applause

      Composer: George Frideric Handel

      Ensemble: Audience


After finishing the chorus ‘How dark, O Lord, are thy decrees’ in February 1751, Handel noted in the autograph score that he couldn’t continue his work on Jephtha because of eye problems. Later in the year, he regained his eyesight and was able to complete the work in the autumn. The problems returned however, and in January 1753 a London newspaper reported that ‘Mr Handel has at length, unhappily, quite lost his sight’. Jephtha was thus to become Handel's last oratorio, and indeed his last major work. It is nevertheless no less a masterpiece than his earlier works, and contains some of his noblest music.

The plot of this ‘Sacred Drama’ is loosely based on the story of Jephtha in the Old Testament: a father who in order to win the the Israelites’ struggle against the Ammonites makes a rash promise to God, and after his victory is compelled to sacrifice his own daughter. The situation gives rise to music of touching poignancy, as well as great choral set-pieces.

This rousing live performance, recorded in 2008 in the Stavanger Concert Hall, boasts a roster of soloists headed by the fine British tenor James Gilchrist as Jephtha, as well as the eminent Belgian choir Collegium Vocale Gent, all backed up by the Stavanger Symphony Orchestra. At the helm of these large forces is Fabio Biondi, the Baroque violinist and conductor who since 2005 has been artistic director of the Stavanger orchestra in the baroque and classical repertoires.