HANDEL. Saul

Oratorio in three acts

 

Henry Waddington, b.

Finnur Bjarnason, ten.

Michael Slattery, ten.

Rosemary Joshua, sop.

Emma Bell, sop.

Lawrence Zazzo, c-ten.

Jeremy Ovenden, ten.

Gidon Saks, bar.

RIAS-Kammerchor

Concerto Köln

René Jacobs, dir.

 

 

The most dramatic of oratorios. Although oratorios are not intended to be staged, Handel’s Saul is something of an exception – for one thing, it contains extremely precise stage directions which were printed in the wordbooks distributed at performances. Hence audiences at the first English oratorios could construct a form of mental theatre, aided by Handel’s dazzling musical depiction of the action: as we listen, we can see Goliath’s gigantic strides, the course of the Jordan, or Saul throwing his javelin.

                                                 

CD 1                              

SAUL     George Frideric Handel              

1          Symphony Allegro - Larghetto - Allegro - Andante larghetto                      

2          ACT ONE

Scene I

1.         Chorus How excellent Thy name, o Lord                          

3          2. Air Soprano An infant raised by thy command

3. Trio Alto, tenore, basso Along the monster atheist strode                      

4          4. Soprano, alto, tenore, basso The youth inspired by Thee, o Lord

5.         Chorus How excellent Thy name, o Lord                          

5. Scene II

6. Recit & 7. Air Michal He comes, he comes! - O God-like youth!

8. Recitative Abner, Saul, David Behold, o King, the brave, victorious youth                       

6          9. Air David O king, your favours with delights

10. Recitative Jonathan Oh early piety!                            

7          11. Air Merab What abject thoughts a prince can have!

12. Recitative Merab Yet think, on whom this honour you bestow               

8          13. Air Jonathan Birth and fortune I despise!                                

9          14. Recitative High Priest Go on, illustrious pair!

15. Air High Priest While yet thy tide of blood runs high                 

10         16. Recitative Saul, Merab Thou, Merab, first in birth, be first in honour

17. Air Merab My soul rejects the thought with scorn

18. Air Michal See, with what a scornful air

19. Air Michal Ah, lovely youth, wast thou designed                                  

11         20. Symphony Andante allegro

21. Recitative Michal Already see the daughters of the land

Scene III

22. Chorus Welcome, welcome, mighty king!                   

           

12         23. Accompagnato Saul What do I hear?

24. Chorus David his ten thousands slew

25. Accompagnato Saul To him ten thousands

26. Air Saul With rage I shall start burst his praises to hear                       

13         Scene IV

27. Recitative Jonathan, Michal Imprudent women!

28. Air Michal Fell rage and black despair possessed                     

14         29. Recitative High Priest This but the smallest part of Harmony

30. Accompagnato High Priest By thee this universal frame                                   

15         Scene V

31. Recitative Abner Racked with infernal pains

32. Air David O Lord, whose mercies numberless             

16         33. Symphony Largo

34. Recitative Jonathan 'Tis all in vain, his fury still continues                                

17         35. Air Saul A serpent, in my bosom warmed

36. Recitative Saul Has he escaped my rage?                  

18         37. Air Merab Capricious man                             

19         Scene VI

38. Accompagnato Jonathan O filial piety!

39. Air Jonathan No, cruel father, no!                  

20         40. Air High Priest O Lord, whose providence

41. Chorus Preserve him for the glory of Thy name                      

21         ACT TWO

Scene I

42. Chorus Envy! Eldest born of hell!                   

           

22         Scene II

43. Recitative Jonathan Ah! dearest friend

44. Air Jonathan But sooner Jordan' stream, I swear                                

23         45. Recitative David, Jonathan Oh strange vicissitude!

46. Air David Such haughty beauties rather move                        

                                                 

CD 2                              

1          47. Recitative Jonathan My father comes

Scene III

48. Recitative Saul, Jonathan Hast thou obeyed my orders                                    

2          49. Air Jonathan Sin not, o king, against the youth

50. Air Saul As great Jehovah lives

51. Air Jonathan From cities stormed, and battles won                  

3          Scene IV

52. Recitative Jonathan, Saul Appear, my friend

53. Air David Your words, o king, my loyal heart

54. Recitative Saul Yes, he shall wed my daughter!                                  

4          Scene V

55. Recitative Michal A father's will has authorised my love

56. Duet Michal, David O fairest of ten thousand fair

57. Chorus Is there a man                     

5.         58. Symphony Largo - Allegro                            

6          Scene VI

59. Recitative David Thy father is as cruel

60. Duet David, Michal At persecution I can laugh                        

7          Scene VII

61. Recitative Michal, Doeg Whom dost thou seek

62. Air Michal No, no let the guilty tremble                                   

8          Scene VIII

63. Recitative Merab Mean as he was, he is my brother now

64. Air Merab Author of peace, who canst controul                       

9          Scene IX

65. Symphony Allegro                           

10         66. Accompagnato Saul The time at length is come

Scene X

67. Recitative Saul, Jonathan Where is the son of Jesse?               

11         68. Chorus Oh fatal consequence of Rage                                    

12         ACT THREE

Scene I

69. Accompagnato Saul Wretch that I am

70. Recit - Accompagnato Saul 'Tis said, here lives a woman                     

13         Scene II

71. Recitative Witch, Saul With me what would'st thou

72. Air Witch of Endor Infernal spirits                              

14         Scene III

73. Accompagnato Samuel, Saul Why hast thou forced me from the realms of peace                      

15         74. Symphony Allegro                           

16         Scene IV

75. Recitative David, Amalekite Whence comest thou?

76. Air David Impious wretch, of race accurst!                 

17         77. March Grave                       

18         Scene V

78. Chorus Mourn, Israel                        

19         79. Air High Priest Oh let it not in Gath be heard                           

20         80. Air Merab From this unhappy day                  

21         81. Air David Brave Jonathan is bow never drew

82. Chorus Eagles were not so swift as they                                 

22         83. Air Michal In sweetest harmony they lived!

84. Solo David and Chorus O fatal day!

85. Recitative Abner Ye men of Judah, weep no more!                  

23         86. Chorus Gird on thy sword, thou man of might

 

Harmonia Mundi 2cds HMC901877-78