Esther

Album by George Frideric Handel & Westminster Cathedral Choir & Academy of Ancient Music Chorus & Academy of Ancient Music & Christopher Hogwood

Esther is an oratorio by George Frideric Handel, first composed in 1718. Musically it combines Baroque choral writing and operatic elements with recitatives, arias and ensembles, reflecting Handel's early approach to English dramatic music and marking an important step in his development toward full-scale English oratorios.
First released: 1985

Tracklist

  1. 1.
    Esther, HWV 50: Scene 1. Ouverture / "'Tis greater far to spare"
    7:45
  2. 2.
    Esther, HWV 50: Scene 5. "Who dares intrude into our presence"
    1:08
  3. 3.
    Esther, HWV 50: Scene 1. "Pluck root and branch from out the land"
    2:09
  4. 4.
    Esther, HWV 50: Scene 5. "Who calls my parting soul from death?" / "Awake, my soul, my life, my breath!"
    2:34
  5. 5.
    Esther, HWV 50: Scene 5. "O beauteous Queen" / "If I find favour in thy sight"
    7:38
  6. 6.
    Esther, HWV 50: Scene 1. "Shall we the God of Israel fear?"
    1:54
  7. 7.
    Esther, HWV 50: Scene 5. "How can I stay when love invites"
    3:54
  8. 8.
    Esther, HWV 50: Scene 2. "Tune your harps to cheerful strains"
    3:55
  9. 9.
    Esther, HWV 50: Scene 2. "Shall we of servitude complain"
    1:26
  10. 10.
    Esther, HWV 50: Scene 5. "Virtue, truth and innocence"
    2:33
  11. 11.
    Esther, HWV 50: Scene 5. "Jehovah, crown'd with glory bright" / "He comes: he comes to end our woes" / Scene 6. "Now, O Queen, thy suit declare"
    6:58
  12. 12.
    Esther, HWV 50: Scene 2. "Praise the Lord with cheerful noise"
    6:08
  13. 13.
    Esther, HWV 50: Scene 2. "Sing songs of praise, bow down the knee"
    6:11
  14. 14.
    Esther, HWV 50: Scene 6. "Turn not, O Queen, thy face away"
    2:10
  15. 15.
    Esther, HWV 50: Scene 3. "Ye sons of Israel mourn"
    2:05
  16. 16.
    Esther, HWV 50: Scene 6. "Flatt'ring tongue, no more I hear thee!" / "Guards, seize the traitor"
    5:11
  17. 17.
    Esther, HWV 50: Scene 6. "How art thou fall'n from thy height!"
    4:15
  18. 18.
    Esther, HWV 50: Scene 3. "O Jordan, Jordan, sacred tide"
    9:34
  19. 19.
    Esther, HWV 50: Scene 6. "The Lord our enemy has slain" / "For ever blessed be thy holy name" / "Let Israel songs of joy repeat" / ... / "For ever blessed be thy holy name"
    10:44
  20. 20.
    Esther, HWV 50: Scene 4. "Dread not, righteous Queen, the danger"
    3:45
  21. 21.
    Esther, HWV 50: Scene 4. "Tears assist me, pity moving"
    3:01
  22. 22.
    Esther, HWV 50: Scene 4. "Save us, O Lord"
    1:31

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