A journey back in time to the Baroque era: At the Handel Celebration Concert on the occasion of the 250th anniversary of the death of George Frideric Handel, leading interpreters of Baroque music presented an opulent program dedicated to the work of the great composer. The concert took place in 2009 at the Marktkirche in Halle/Germany.

Ulrike Fulde | SOPRANO
Albrecht Sack | TENOR
Felix Plock | BASS

THE ENGLISH CONCERT
HÄNDELFESTSPIELORCHESTER HALLE

MDR RUNDFUNKCHOR
HALLENSER MADRIGALISTEN
HÄNDELFESTSPIELCHOR
CHOR DER OPER HALLE

Howard Arman | CONDUCTOR

The Handel Celebration Concert from 2009 had a very special relevance to the life of George Frideric Handel (1685 - 1759). Born in Halle in 1685, Handel left his hometown at a young age, worked in Hamburg and Hanover, traveled around the musical capitals of Italy, and finally went to London, where he died in 1759 and was buried with high honor in Westminster Abbey. Twenty-five years after his death, a memorial concert was held in this famous London church to pay posthumous tribute to him. The program for this concert from 1784 was played again on the 250th anniversary of Handel's death. This time, the venue was the Marktkirche in Halle, where Handel had been baptized and where he had received organ lessons.

Along with Johann Sebastian Bach, Handel is considered the most important composer of the late Baroque period. His works, especially his numerous large-scale operas and oratorios, not only reflect the musical style of his time, but are of far-reaching appeal and continue to captivate music lovers all over the world.

At a glance:

(00:00) Introduction
 
(00:58) ‘Zadok the Priest’. Coronation Anthem for George II (HWV 258)

Sinfonia form the Oratorio ‘Esther’ (HWV 50a)
(06:59) Andante
(08:54) Larghetto
(11:40) Allegro

Te Deum for the victory of Dettingen (HWV 283)
(14:38) We praise Thee, oh God
(18:23) All the earth doth worship Thee
(20:48) To Thee all angels cry aloud
(23:00) To Thee Cherubim and Seraphim
(26:06) The glorious company of the Apostles
(28:22) Thou art the King of Glory
(31:00) When Thou tookest upon Thee to deliver man
(34:22) When Thou hadst overcome the sharpness of death
(36:13) Thou sittest at the right hand of God
(39:15) Sinfonia
(39:45) We therefore pray Thee
(40:48) Make them to be number’d with Thy Saints
(42:05) Day by day we magnify Thee
(45:06) Vouchsafe, oh Lord, to keep us this day without sin
(46:43) Oh Lord, in Thee have I trusted

From the Oratorio ‘Saul’ (HWV 53)
(50:56) Sinfonia: Allegro
(55:20) March
 
From ‘The ways of Zion do mourn’. Funeral Anthem for Queen Caroline (HWV 264)
(58:49) When the ear heard her
(1:02:20) She deliver’d the poor that cried
(1:07:58) Their bodies are buried in peace
 
From the Jubilate for the Peace of Utrecht (HWV 279)
(1:13:28) Glory be to the Father
(1:14:50) As it was in the beginning
 
‘O sing unto the Lord a new song’. Chandos Anthem (HWV 249b)
(1:19:14) Symphony
(1:22:05) O sing unto the Lord a new song
(1:24:35) Declare his honour unto the heathen
(1:27:09) The waves of the sea
(1:28:49) O worship the Lord
(1:31:17) Let the whole earth stand in awe
(1:32:00) Let the heav’ns rejoice

Two Choruses from the Oratorio ‘Israel in Egypt’ (HWV 54)
(1:34:18) The Lord shall reign for ever and ever
(1:36:15) Sing ye to the Lord

© EuroArts Music 2009