Alexander's Feast

Album by George Frideric Handel & Bachkören & Concentus Musicus Wien & Nikolaus Harnoncourt

Alexander's Feast is an ode for soloists, chorus and orchestra by G.F. Händel, composed in 1736. The work blends Baroque choral writing, operatic solo arias and orchestral colour to depict a literary narrative, and represents Händel's engagement with the English choral tradition during his mature period following his operatic career.
First released: 1984

Tracklist

  1. 1.
    Oratorio "Alexander's Feast", HWV 75: Part I, I. Overture
    6:30
  2. 2.
    Oratorio "Alexander's Feast", HWV 75: Part I, XIX. Chorus: "The many rend the skies with loud applause"
    3:56
  3. 3.
    Oratorio "Alexander's Feast", HWV 75: Part I, II. Recitative (tenor): "'Twas at the royal feast"
    1:02
  4. 4.
    Oratorio "Alexander's Feast", HWV 75: Part I, XX. Aria: "The prince, unable to conceal his pain"
    6:36
  5. 5.
    Oratorio "Alexander's Feast", HWV 75: Part I, XXI. Chorus: "The many rend the skies with loud applause"
    4:04
  6. 6.
    Oratorio "Alexander's Feast", HWV 75: Part I, III. Aria: "Happy, happy pair"
    2:42
  7. 7.
    Oratorio "Alexander's Feast", HWV 75: Part I, IV. Chorus: "Happy, happy pair"
    2:46
  8. 8.
    Oratorio "Alexander's Feast", HWV 75: Part II, I. Recitative and chorus: "Now strike the golden lyre again"
    0:55
  9. 9.
    Oratorio "Alexander's Feast", HWV 75: Part II, II. Chorus: "Break his bands of sleep asunder"
    1:19
  10. 10.
    Oratorio "Alexander's Feast", HWV 75: Part I, V. Recitative: "Timotheus plac'd on high"
    0:26
  11. 11.
    Oratorio "Alexander's Feast", HWV 75: Part II, III. Recitative: "Hark, hark! The horrid sound"
    0:24
  12. 12.
    Oratorio "Alexander's Feast", HWV 75: Part I, VI. Recitative: "The song began from Jove"
    1:02
  13. 13.
    Oratorio "Alexander's Feast", HWV 75: Part I, VII. Chorus: "The list'ning crowd"
    2:10
  14. 14.
    Oratorio "Alexander's Feast", HWV 75: Part II, IV. Aria (bass): "Revenge, Timotheus cries"
    2:01
  15. 15.
    Oratorio "Alexander's Feast", HWV 75: Part II, V. Aria: "Behold the ghastly band"
    6:02
  16. 16.
    Oratorio "Alexander's Feast", HWV 75: Part I, VIII. Aria (soprano): "With ravish'd ears"
    3:29
  17. 17.
    Oratorio "Alexander's Feast", HWV 75: Part II, VI. Recitative: "Give vengeance the due"
    1:44
  18. 18.
    Oratorio "Alexander's Feast", HWV 75: Part I, IX. Recitative: "The praise of Bacchus"
    0:33
  19. 19.
    Oratorio "Alexander's Feast", HWV 75: Part II, VII. Air and Chorus: "The princes applaud with a furious joy"
    2:04
  20. 20.
    Oratorio "Alexander's Feast", HWV 75: Part I, X. Aria and chorus: "Bacchus ever fair and young"
    4:24
  21. 21.
    Oratorio "Alexander's Feast", HWV 75: Part I, XI. Recitative: "Sooth'd with the sound"
    0:44
  22. 22.
    Oratorio "Alexander's Feast", HWV 75: Part II, VIII. Air and chorus: "Thais led the way"
    5:22
  23. 23.
    Oratorio "Alexander's Feast", HWV 75: Part I, XII. Recitative: "He chose a mournful muse"
    1:14
  24. 24.
    Oratorio "Alexander's Feast", HWV 75: Part II, IX. Recitative: "Thus long ago"
    2:48
  25. 25.
    Oratorio "Alexander's Feast", HWV 75: Part II, X. Chorus: "At last divine Cecilia came"
    3:00
  26. 26.
    Oratorio "Alexander's Feast", HWV 75: Part I, XIII. Aria (soprano): "He sung Darius, great and good"
    3:03
  27. 27.
    Oratorio "Alexander's Feast", HWV 75: Part I, XIV. Recitative: "With downcast looks"
    1:01
  28. 28.
    Oratorio "Alexander's Feast", HWV 75: Part II, XI. Recitative: "Let old Timotheus yield the prize"
    0:19
  29. 29.
    Oratorio "Alexander's Feast", HWV 75: Part II, XII. Chorus: "Let old Timotheus yield the prize"
    3:18
  30. 30.
    Oratorio "Alexander's Feast", HWV 75: Part I, XV. Chorus: "Behold Darius great and good"
    2:47
  31. 31.
    Oratorio "Alexander's Feast", HWV 75: Part I, XVI. Recitative: "The mighty master smil'd"
    0:34
  32. 32.
    Oratorio "Alexander's Feast", HWV 75: Part I, XVII. Arioso: "Softly sweet in Lydian measures"
    3:00
  33. 33.
    Oratorio "Alexander's Feast", HWV 75: Part I, XVIII. Aria: "War, he sung, is toil and trouble"
    4:58

Credits