Robert Newman wrote:

Today I made a choice of which Handel DVD to have. I chose 'Xerxes' (1738) in the English langage version by English National Opera. Charles Mackerrras.

Well fair enough, but if you don't like it don't blame Handel!

I look forward to your review in due course!

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Robert Newman wrote:

Today I made a choice of which Handel DVD to have. I chose 'Xerxes' (1738) in the English langage version by English National Opera. Charles Mackerrras.

Did you order this DVD Rob?

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"If I were but of noble birth..." - Rod Corkin
http://classicalmusicmayhem.freeforums.org/handel-semele-t668.html

A successful purchase from my shopping trip today, Handel's opera Oreste with Camerata Stuttgart directed by George Petrou. All in all a good CD, especially good value too at just £16 at HMV. The opera is one of Handel's three self pasticcios. So the libretto is new but the music has been compiled and arranged from a number of his other productions. Nevertheless the music is weaved together so seamlessly in it's new context that you'd never guess it's a pasticcio. The orchestra performs stylishly and Petrou keeps the interest going, singing is good if not fantastic.

The work was produced in 1734 when Handel was at the height of his operatic powers, the purpose to fill a gap in his program. The piece was a success bit only received three performances, which seems rather a shame considering the music is consistently great.

A safe purchase, especially if you can find it at this low price...

http://www.amazon.com/H%C3%A4ndel-Oreste-Petros-Magoulas/dp/B0002TTX2A

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Rod Corkin wrote:

...McGegan's great recording of Serse with the Hanover Band... 'Ombra mai fu' and also a short 'Symphonia' that opens Act 3 that is yet another brief glimpse of heaven provided by Handel... http://www.amazon.com/Handel-Malafronte-Bickley-Thomas-McGegan/dp/B00000IFOS

I really liked these, Rod. Interesting hearing HB with harpsichord continuo... they handle Handel's style with the grace and competence required, without losing the dramatic edge inherent in his works. Seems to me that the soprano could have been better... but perhaps I am deaf! Very well done though; another good album from the Hanover Band!

Handel's stageworks are all so well done... I really should look into buying more recordings of them. Right now I only have a few of his oratorios... I seem to remember hearing that Brilliant Classics is developing a Handel Edition, which I may have to look into. I hope they use period instruments like they did with the Bach Edition!

I also came across those samples of Vivaldi's Bazajet; those were most intriguing! I had next to no experience with Vivaldi's vocal works, but thought the excerpts here were quite masterful.

Why did you have to list all these - I'm already a broke college student, and now I'll be buying loads of Handel! Thanks for all the clips though, I'll keep poking around here...

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My Current Thread:
Bach - Cello Suites

Eushayson wrote:

I really liked these, Rod. Interesting hearing HB with harpsichord continuo... they handle Handel's style with the grace and competence required, without losing the dramatic edge inherent in his works. Seems to me that the soprano could have been better... but perhaps I am deaf! Very well done though; another good album from the Hanover Band!

Yes I agree she is not ideal, and she is rather big in the mix which doesn't help either, but overall this is a most pleasing recording.

Eushayson wrote:

Handel's stageworks are all so well done... I really should look into buying more recordings of them. Right now I only have a few of his oratorios... I seem to remember hearing that Brilliant Classics is developing a Handel Edition, which I may have to look into. I hope they use period instruments like they did with the Bach Edition!

For any of these big works check them out in my showcase topics, for they are the best recordings currently for each. Or if in doubt ask me first for a recommendation, it may save you trouble later!

Eushayson wrote:

I also came across those samples of Vivaldi's Bazajet; those were most intriguing! I had next to no experience with Vivaldi's vocal works, but thought the excerpts here were quite masterful. Why did you have to list all these - I'm already a broke college student, and now I'll be buying loads of Handel! Thanks for all the clips though, I'll keep poking around here...

Yes those extracts are good but overall V's opera is not in Handel's league. It would indeed cost a lot of money to buy all those Handel operas I have presented here, but even if you just download these extracts you'll have the best collection of Baroque singing there is!

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http://classicalmusicmayhem.freeforums.org/handel-semele-t668.html

Rod Corkin wrote:

Robert Newman wrote: Today I made a choice of which Handel DVD to have. I chose 'Xerxes' (1738) in the English langage version by English National Opera. Charles Mackerrras. Did you order this DVD Rob?

No I didn't order it Rod. I was just too busy to hear anything except (from time to time) some Bach and that wonderful Handel 'Rinaldo'.

Robert Newman wrote:

No I didn't order it Rod. I was just too busy to hear anything except (from time to time) some Bach and that wonderful Handel 'Rinaldo'.

Well I've got quite a few other Handel DVDs that would take your fancy!

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"If I were but of noble birth..." - Rod Corkin
http://classicalmusicmayhem.freeforums.org/handel-semele-t668.html

A Handel opera recording to avoid. Horrific singing from just about all concerned. Lumbering orchestra. Little short of a disaster, yet it gets many a five star review. I give it one star. Good job I paid for the cheap edition without the fancy box and libretto. Still £19 wasted though. McGegan's version with the Hanover Band is much better.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Handel-Serse-Lawrence-Zazzo/dp/B0002TB6L6

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http://classicalmusicmayhem.freeforums.org/handel-semele-t668.html

Siroe ri de Persia
"Deggio morire o stelle.wma"

I think I just got hit by another lightning bolt. This is an incredible aria, such passion...incredible.

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Act 2: Mozart's The Magic Flute: http://classicalmusicmayhem.freeforums.org/mozart-the-magic-flute-t669.html

vforvendetta wrote:

Siroe ri de Persia "Deggio morire o stelle.wma" I think I just got hit by another lightning bolt. This is an incredible aria, such passion...incredible.

Someone else in the thread highlighted that track, it seems to be a favourite but make sure you go through them all because you'll be struck my many more lightning bolts!!

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http://classicalmusicmayhem.freeforums.org/handel-semele-t668.html

Rod Corkin wrote:

vforvendetta wrote: Siroe ri de Persia "Deggio morire o stelle.wma" I think I just got hit by another lightning bolt. This is an incredible aria, such passion...incredible. Someone else in the thread highlighted that track, it seems to be a favourite but make sure you go through them all because you'll be struck my many more lightning bolts!!

The thing with me is that only a few pieces strike me immediately, the rest slowly come (and some don't come at all). That has been my experience with Mozart, Beethoven, Wagner, etc. The great thing with the Handel pieces I've downloaded so far, from Ariodante, Lotario, and Siroe is that they are all pieces I like almost immediately.

I especially like the other piece from Siroe, "Or mi perdo ogni speranza." Powerful again.

My one big complaint is that they are all in WMA. I can't import them into iTunes like that! Why does everyone like WMA on this forum?

_________________
Vengeance is a pleasure meant only for the intelligent.
- Bartolo from Le nozze di Figaro

Act 2: Mozart's The Magic Flute: http://classicalmusicmayhem.freeforums.org/mozart-the-magic-flute-t669.html

vforvendetta wrote:

The thing with me is that only a few pieces strike me immediately, the rest slowly come (and some don't come at all). That has been my experience with Mozart, Beethoven, Wagner, etc. The great thing with the Handel pieces I've downloaded so far, from Ariodante, Lotario, and Siroe is that they are all pieces I like almost immediately. I especially like the other piece from Siroe, "Or mi perdo ogni speranza." Powerful again. My one big complaint is that they are all in WMA. I can't import them into iTunes like that! Why does everyone like WMA on this forum?

Well Beethoven only composed one opera (albeit in three versions) and there isn't a good recording of it yet, and for some reason the critics promote the very worst recording (Klemperer's) as the best. Thus ensuring further dissatisfaction for generations to come. But keep an eye on the Fidelio topic, I'll be developing that one. Really a good performance would be unsurpassed in opera. With Mozart and Wagner I agree without reservation.

But back to Handel, he does have this capacity to be a 'hit machine' to a greater degree than all the other composers. The music is very accessible, has great melodies, but manages to engage the mind too. All in the most efficient compositional style possible. But you've got plenty more hits to sample yet in this thread! When I have time I'll add a few more from the best of the latest releases.

About WMAs they are the most efficient file format. We don't want huge hi-res files here, especially considering the legal tightrope we walk at this site. WMA64 is the best compromise solution of size and quality. I'm sure you can convert them to fit on your ipod.

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"If I were but of noble birth..." - Rod Corkin
http://classicalmusicmayhem.freeforums.org/handel-semele-t668.html

Thanks for the tip on the Fidelio thread. I'll be looking at that soon.

It's slow going, but I'm excited to get more in touch with Baroque music, especially Handel from what I've heard so far. I am definitely going to get Siroe as soon as I get back. Honestly, the first part of the sinfonia from Admeto reminds me of Wagner, sounds like something out of Die Walkure, those bizarre and sort of frightening chords. It's incredible, especially considering the time span that separate Wagner and Handel.

_________________
Vengeance is a pleasure meant only for the intelligent.
- Bartolo from Le nozze di Figaro

Act 2: Mozart's The Magic Flute: http://classicalmusicmayhem.freeforums.org/mozart-the-magic-flute-t669.html

vforvendetta wrote:

It's slow going, but I'm excited to get more in touch with Baroque music, especially Handel from what I've heard so far. I am definitely going to get Siroe as soon as I get back. Honestly, the first part of the sinfonia from Admeto reminds me of Wagner, sounds like something out of Die Walkure, those bizarre and sort of frightening chords. It's incredible, especially considering the time span that separate Wagner and Handel.

Yes sometimes Handel brings up the totally unexpected that sounds not of its time. Whatever novelty you hear in opera chances are its all been done before by Handel one way or another. That sinfonia serves to illustrate proceedings opening the second act.

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"If I were but of noble birth..." - Rod Corkin
http://classicalmusicmayhem.freeforums.org/handel-semele-t668.html

By the way, if you import the WMA's into iTunes you can then right click the track and select "Convert to AAC" if you want to listen to them on your iPod... Though only low-quality 64kbps is presented here, and only bits and pieces of larger works in order to prevent permanent downloading; the point is to allow the members to hear a sample of the work so they buy the whole thing.

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My Current Thread:
Bach - Cello Suites

Sorin Eushayson wrote:

I seem to remember hearing that Brilliant Classics is developing a Handel Edition, which I may have to look into.

This would be wonderful news. As a matter of fact I am carefull in buying Handel. I have the Brilliant Masterworks set. And well I didn't like everything. For example the Imeneo was terribly boring, I can't help. The Faramando was better, as a whole and two very good pieces. Rinaldo I like. Acis and Galathea was splendid of course. And I saw Julius Cesar once in the opera house.

Frankly I am not such a "hardcore Handelian" that I have to possess everything. There are certainly other composers which I enjoy. And I can't listen the whole day to classical music really. And I have to care a bit for my money.

But if Brilliant brings out some more Handel this would be good news. For these prices I would give the music always a try.

Florestan wrote:

For example the Imeneo was terribly boring, I can't help.

A recording you are referring to here? If so which? The recording by the Brewer Camber Orchestra is a monstrosity that should be burned. The recording I present in this topic is far superior, though there is still room for a better one.

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"If I were but of noble birth..." - Rod Corkin
http://classicalmusicmayhem.freeforums.org/handel-semele-t668.html

Well, it's the Brewer of course.

Florestan wrote:

Well, it's the Brewer of course.

Well as I said before you can't judge Handel's music based on rubbish like that. All of the BCO recordings are rubbish. I provide all the good recommendations here with extracts you can play. Listen to those and then make your assessment!

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"If I were but of noble birth..." - Rod Corkin
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Rod Corkin wrote:

Alcina http://www.amazon.co.uk/Handel-Alcina-Georg-Friederich/dp/B00004NK26 Aria: Tornami a vagheggiar. http://www.mediafire.com/?0b0vpd39vbw Aria: Ah! mio cor! http://www.mediafire.com/?xdtasx0rwxf Guistino http://www.amazon.com/Handel-Giustino-Rschmann-Kotoski-Padmore/dp/B0000007EL Aria: Da tuoi begl'occhi impara. http://www.mediafire.com/?nmixzlxofwe Aria: Quel Torrente che s'innalza. http://www.mediafire.com/?l1ynmtimmz1 Enjoy this great music. Any comments welcome.

Aria: Ah! mio cor! (Alcina)
The piece is as finely spun as a Donizetti or Rossini aria and sung beautifully. The musical interludes in the first third are interesting - I wish I knew their context in the opera. The second third is bold and exciting, and the final, lengthiest portion seems to spell out doom and tragedy.

Aria: Tornami a vagheggiar (Morgana)
Very colorful er, coloratura. Catchy, as well. I'm noticing, it seems like a lot of these arias stop in the middle and change track. What's with that? Nevertheless, a very catchy piece.

Aria: Da tuoi begl'occhi impara
Charming tune. Seeing the album cover, I really wonder what castrati sounded like.
Would I be able to tell a castrati's voice apart from a female alto or soprano? Not that I want anyone to submit themselves to that...

Aria: Que! Torrente che s'innalza
After "Ah! mio cor!" this seems to be my favorite of the four. I really like those instrumental passages. I like the vocal passages even more. The final portion is quite interesting as well. An...instrumental cadenza?

I'm beginning to notice that Handelian arias sound like early Mozart arias. In particular, I'm referring to Ascanio in Alba, which I recently saw. The styles are similar, though the mastery is obviously not. Unfortunately, I don't have a recording of Ascanio in Alba. As soon as I get back to my beloved school (soon!), I will find some to share.

_________________
Vengeance is a pleasure meant only for the intelligent.
- Bartolo from Le nozze di Figaro

Act 2: Mozart's The Magic Flute: http://classicalmusicmayhem.freeforums.org/mozart-the-magic-flute-t669.html