Hanoverian Court Orchestra, Maulbronn Chamber Choir, Jürgen Budday – Handel: Belshazzar (2011)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 02:27:39 minutes | 2,40 GB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Digital Booklet, Front Cover | © K&K Verlagsanstalt
This recording is part of a cycle of old testament oratorios by G. F. Handel and is one of the many concerts performed at Maulbronn monastery over the past years. The series combines authentically performed baroque oratorios with the optimal acoustics and atmosphere of this unique monastic church. This ideal location demands the transparency of playing and the interpretive unveiling of the rhetoric intimations of the composition, which is especially aided by the historically authentic performance. The music is exclusively performed on reconstructed historical instruments, which are tuned to the pitch customary in the composers lifetime.
The oratorio, Belshazzar, devotes itself to the story of the Babylonian king, Belshazzar, as presented in the biblical story from the book of Daniel. Belshazzar commits sacrilege against the God of the Israelites, upon which a ghostly hand inscribes the mysterious text, the Menetekel, upon the wall of the court, predicting the downfall of the kingdom and the death of Belshazzar at the hands of the Persians. The prophecy is fulfilled that very same night.
This performance is recorded live! And that’s one of the reasons that it is so exciting to hear. Performers and conductor alike are really ‘up’ for a performance like this, and the listener is rewarded by this experience. No matter that a note here and there may not be perfect, it’s really the overall ‘high’ that this type of rendition gives us. Of course, no need to worry that Maulbronn discs are inferior; just the opposite: excellent singers & instrumentalists and outstanding soloists prevail.
The English passion for the oratorio is largely due to Handel. Every year from 1738 to 1751, he produced at least one. Handel’s oratorios, more dramatic than any previously written,were like operas without scenery and costumes.
“Balshazzar” is one of a cycle of old testament oratorios by Handel. It is the story of the Babylonian king, Belshazzar, as presented in the biblical story from the book of Daniel. Belshazzar commits sacrilege against the God of the Israelites, upon which a ghostly hand inscribes the mysterious text,the Menetkel, upon the wall of the court,predicting the downfall of the kingdom and the death of Belshazzar at the hands of the Persians. The prophecy is fulfilled that very same night.
Instrumentally and chorally this is a great recording! The characters of Daniel (Michael Chance) and Belshazzar (Mark LeBrocq) are well sung and dramatically convincing as is Nitrocris (Miriam). Gobrias is OK and somewhat convincing at times, but has some difficulty producing well-rounded low tones. But the weakest character both dramatically and vocally is Cyrus (Patrick van Goethem) countertenor. His voice was breathy in the low register and brittle and somewhat off pitch in the upper register. However, I’m really hard on countertenors, so you may not agree! One of the most exciting and well performed parts occurs when the hand of God writes on the wall terrifying Belshazzar; Daniel, the prophet then appears and prophesies in a most frightening manner death and destruction and nobody could have done that better than Chance. RECORDINGS FROM MAULBRONN ARE NEVER DULL! –George Peabody (A voice teacher and early music fan) on Amazon
Tracklist:
1-01. Miriam Allan, Michael Chance, Patrick van Goethem, Mark LeBrocq, André Morsch, Hanoverian Court Orchestra, Maulbronn Chamber Choir, Jürgen Budday – Act I Scene 1: Overture (04:35)
1-02. Miriam Allan, Michael Chance, Patrick van Goethem, Mark LeBrocq, André Morsch, Hanoverian Court Orchestra, Maulbronn Chamber Choir, Jürgen Budday – Act I Scene 1: Behold, by Persia’s hero made (Chorus of Babylonians) (02:37)
1-03. Miriam Allan, Michael Chance, Patrick van Goethem, Mark LeBrocq, André Morsch, Hanoverian Court Orchestra, Maulbronn Chamber Choir, Jürgen Budday – Act I Scene 2: Recitative: Well may they laugh, from meagre famine safe (Gobrias, Cyrus) (01:47)
1-04. Miriam Allan, Michael Chance, Patrick van Goethem, Mark LeBrocq, André Morsch, Hanoverian Court Orchestra, Maulbronn Chamber Choir, Jürgen Budday – Act I Scene 2: Aria: Oppress’d with never-ceasing grief (Gobrias) (03:19)
1-05. Miriam Allan, Michael Chance, Patrick van Goethem, Mark LeBrocq, André Morsch, Hanoverian Court Orchestra, Maulbronn Chamber Choir, Jürgen Budday – Act I Scene 2: Aria: Dry those unavailing tears (Cyrus) (02:14)
1-06. Miriam Allan, Michael Chance, Patrick van Goethem, Mark LeBrocq, André Morsch, Hanoverian Court Orchestra, Maulbronn Chamber Choir, Jürgen Budday – Act I Scene 2: Recitative: Be comforted (Cyrus) (00:31)
1-07. Miriam Allan, Michael Chance, Patrick van Goethem, Mark LeBrocq, André Morsch, Hanoverian Court Orchestra, Maulbronn Chamber Choir, Jürgen Budday – Act I Scene 2: Recitative: Methought, as on the bank of deep Euphrates (Cyrus) (02:22)
1-08. Miriam Allan, Michael Chance, Patrick van Goethem, Mark LeBrocq, André Morsch, Hanoverian Court Orchestra, Maulbronn Chamber Choir, Jürgen Budday – Act I Scene 2: Recitative: Now tell me, Gobrias, does not this Euphrates (Cyrus, Gobrias) (01:22)
1-09. Miriam Allan, Michael Chance, Patrick van Goethem, Mark LeBrocq, André Morsch, Hanoverian Court Orchestra, Maulbronn Chamber Choir, Jürgen Budday – Act I Scene 2: Aria: Behold the monstrous human beast (Gobrias) (03:23)
1-10. Miriam Allan, Michael Chance, Patrick van Goethem, Mark LeBrocq, André Morsch, Hanoverian Court Orchestra, Maulbronn Chamber Choir, Jürgen Budday – Act I Scene 2: Recitative – Aria: Can you then think it strange (Cyrus) (03:52)
1-11. Miriam Allan, Michael Chance, Patrick van Goethem, Mark LeBrocq, André Morsch, Hanoverian Court Orchestra, Maulbronn Chamber Choir, Jürgen Budday – Act I Scene 2: Recitative: My friends, be confident and boldly enter upon this high exploit (Cyrus) (00:43)
1-12. Miriam Allan, Michael Chance, Patrick van Goethem, Mark LeBrocq, André Morsch, Hanoverian Court Orchestra, Maulbronn Chamber Choir, Jürgen Budday – Act I Scene 2: All empires upon God depend (Chorus of Persians) (03:22)
1-13. Miriam Allan, Michael Chance, Patrick van Goethem, Mark LeBrocq, André Morsch, Hanoverian Court Orchestra, Maulbronn Chamber Choir, Jürgen Budday – Act I Scene 3: Aria: O sacred oracles of truth (Daniel) (04:57)
1-14. Miriam Allan, Michael Chance, Patrick van Goethem, Mark LeBrocq, André Morsch, Hanoverian Court Orchestra, Maulbronn Chamber Choir, Jürgen Budday – Act I Scene 3: Recitative: Rejoice, my countrymen! (Daniel) (03:37)
1-15. Miriam Allan, Michael Chance, Patrick van Goethem, Mark LeBrocq, André Morsch, Hanoverian Court Orchestra, Maulbronn Chamber Choir, Jürgen Budday – Act I Scene 3: Sing, O ye Heav’ns, for the Lord hath done it! (Chorus of Jews) (04:31)
1-16. Miriam Allan, Michael Chance, Patrick van Goethem, Mark LeBrocq, André Morsch, Hanoverian Court Orchestra, Maulbronn Chamber Choir, Jürgen Budday – Act I Scene 4: Aria: Let festal joy triumphant reign (Belshazzar) (05:00)
1-17. Miriam Allan, Michael Chance, Patrick van Goethem, Mark LeBrocq, André Morsch, Hanoverian Court Orchestra, Maulbronn Chamber Choir, Jürgen Budday – Act I Scene 4: Recitative: For you my friends, the nobles of my court (Belshazzar, Nitocris) (02:23)
1-18. Miriam Allan, Michael Chance, Patrick van Goethem, Mark LeBrocq, André Morsch, Hanoverian Court Orchestra, Maulbronn Chamber Choir, Jürgen Budday – Act I Scene 4: Recall, O king, thy rash command (Chorus of Jews) (03:37)
1-19. Miriam Allan, Michael Chance, Patrick van Goethem, Mark LeBrocq, André Morsch, Hanoverian Court Orchestra, Maulbronn Chamber Choir, Jürgen Budday – Act I Scene 4: Recitative: They tell you true (Nitocris, Belshazzar) (01:40)
1-20. Miriam Allan, Michael Chance, Patrick van Goethem, Mark LeBrocq, André Morsch, Hanoverian Court Orchestra, Maulbronn Chamber Choir, Jürgen Budday – Act I Scene 4: Duet: O dearer than my life, forbear (Nitocris, Belshazzar) (06:13)
1-21. Miriam Allan, Michael Chance, Patrick van Goethem, Mark LeBrocq, André Morsch, Hanoverian Court Orchestra, Maulbronn Chamber Choir, Jürgen Budday – Act I Scene 4: By slow degress the wrath of God (Chorus of Jews) (04:57)
1-22. Miriam Allan, Michael Chance, Patrick van Goethem, Mark LeBrocq, André Morsch, Hanoverian Court Orchestra, Maulbronn Chamber Choir, Jürgen Budday – Act II Scene 1: See, from his post Euphrates flies (Chorus of Persians) (07:17)
1-23. Miriam Allan, Michael Chance, Patrick van Goethem, Mark LeBrocq, André Morsch, Hanoverian Court Orchestra, Maulbronn Chamber Choir, Jürgen Budday – Act II Scene 1: Recitative: You see, my friends, a path into the city lies open (Cyrus) (00:49)
1-24. Miriam Allan, Michael Chance, Patrick van Goethem, Mark LeBrocq, André Morsch, Hanoverian Court Orchestra, Maulbronn Chamber Choir, Jürgen Budday – Act II Scene 1: To arms, to arms, no more delay! (Chorus of Persians) (00:42)
2-01. Miriam Allan, Michael Chance, Patrick van Goethem, Mark LeBrocq, André Morsch, Hanoverian Court Orchestra, Maulbronn Chamber Choir, Jürgen Budday – Act II Scene 2: Ye tutelar gods of our empire (Chorus of Babylonians) (03:14)
2-02. Miriam Allan, Michael Chance, Patrick van Goethem, Mark LeBrocq, André Morsch, Hanoverian Court Orchestra, Maulbronn Chamber Choir, Jürgen Budday – Act II Scene 2: Aria: Let the deep bowl thy praise confess (Belshazzar) (02:32)
2-03. Miriam Allan, Michael Chance, Patrick van Goethem, Mark LeBrocq, André Morsch, Hanoverian Court Orchestra, Maulbronn Chamber Choir, Jürgen Budday – Act II Scene 2: Recitative: Where is the God of Judah’s boasted pow’r? (Belshazzar) (00:44)
2-04. Miriam Allan, Michael Chance, Patrick van Goethem, Mark LeBrocq, André Morsch, Hanoverian Court Orchestra, Maulbronn Chamber Choir, Jürgen Budday – Act II Scene 2: Chorus – Recitative: Help, help the king! (Belshazzar) (02:24)
2-05. Miriam Allan, Michael Chance, Patrick van Goethem, Mark LeBrocq, André Morsch, Hanoverian Court Orchestra, Maulbronn Chamber Choir, Jürgen Budday – Act II Scene 2: Recitative: Call all my Wise Men (Belshazzar) (02:09)
2-06. Miriam Allan, Michael Chance, Patrick van Goethem, Mark LeBrocq, André Morsch, Hanoverian Court Orchestra, Maulbronn Chamber Choir, Jürgen Budday – Act II Scene 2: Recitative: Ye sages, welcome always to your king (Belshazzar, Wise Men) (01:06)
2-07. Miriam Allan, Michael Chance, Patrick van Goethem, Mark LeBrocq, André Morsch, Hanoverian Court Orchestra, Maulbronn Chamber Choir, Jürgen Budday – Act II Scene 2: Oh, misery! Oh terror, hopeless grief! (Chorus of Babylonians) (01:59)
2-08. Miriam Allan, Michael Chance, Patrick van Goethem, Mark LeBrocq, André Morsch, Hanoverian Court Orchestra, Maulbronn Chamber Choir, Jürgen Budday – Act II Scene 2: Recitative: O king, live for ever! (Nitocris, Belshazzar) (01:42)
2-09. Miriam Allan, Michael Chance, Patrick van Goethem, Mark LeBrocq, André Morsch, Hanoverian Court Orchestra, Maulbronn Chamber Choir, Jürgen Budday – Act II Scene 2: Aria: No, to thyself thy trifles be (Daniel) (01:39)
2-10. Miriam Allan, Michael Chance, Patrick van Goethem, Mark LeBrocq, André Morsch, Hanoverian Court Orchestra, Maulbronn Chamber Choir, Jürgen Budday – Act II Scene 2: Reicitative: Yet, to obey His dread command (Daniel) (03:25)
2-11. Miriam Allan, Michael Chance, Patrick van Goethem, Mark LeBrocq, André Morsch, Hanoverian Court Orchestra, Maulbronn Chamber Choir, Jürgen Budday – Act II Scene 2: Recitative: Oh, sentence too severe (Nitocris) (00:20)
2-12. Miriam Allan, Michael Chance, Patrick van Goethem, Mark LeBrocq, André Morsch, Hanoverian Court Orchestra, Maulbronn Chamber Choir, Jürgen Budday – Act II Scene 2: Aria: Regard thyself (Nitocris) (06:23)
2-13. Miriam Allan, Michael Chance, Patrick van Goethem, Mark LeBrocq, André Morsch, Hanoverian Court Orchestra, Maulbronn Chamber Choir, Jürgen Budday – Act II Scene 3: Aria: O God of truth, O faithful guide (Cyrus) (04:51)
2-14. Miriam Allan, Michael Chance, Patrick van Goethem, Mark LeBrocq, André Morsch, Hanoverian Court Orchestra, Maulbronn Chamber Choir, Jürgen Budday – Act II Scene 3: Recitative: You, Gobrias, lead directly to the palace (Cyrus) (01:04)
2-15. Miriam Allan, Michael Chance, Patrick van Goethem, Mark LeBrocq, André Morsch, Hanoverian Court Orchestra, Maulbronn Chamber Choir, Jürgen Budday – Act II Scene 2: O glorious prince, , thrice happy they born to enjoy thy future sway (Chorus of Persians) (05:23)
2-16. Miriam Allan, Michael Chance, Patrick van Goethem, Mark LeBrocq, André Morsch, Hanoverian Court Orchestra, Maulbronn Chamber Choir, Jürgen Budday – Act III Scene 1: Aria: Alternate hopes and fears distract my mind (Nitocris) (04:26)
2-17. Miriam Allan, Michael Chance, Patrick van Goethem, Mark LeBrocq, André Morsch, Hanoverian Court Orchestra, Maulbronn Chamber Choir, Jürgen Budday – Act III Scene 1: Recitative: My hopes revive, here Arioch comes! (Nitocris, Arioch, Messenger) (02:06)
2-18. Miriam Allan, Michael Chance, Patrick van Goethem, Mark LeBrocq, André Morsch, Hanoverian Court Orchestra, Maulbronn Chamber Choir, Jürgen Budday – Act III Scene 1: Bel boweth down, Nebo stoopeth! (Chorus of Jews) (01:29)
2-19. Miriam Allan, Michael Chance, Patrick van Goethem, Mark LeBrocq, André Morsch, Hanoverian Court Orchestra, Maulbronn Chamber Choir, Jürgen Budday – Act III Scene 2: Aria: I thank thee, Sesach! (Belshazzar) (01:34)
2-20. Miriam Allan, Michael Chance, Patrick van Goethem, Mark LeBrocq, André Morsch, Hanoverian Court Orchestra, Maulbronn Chamber Choir, Jürgen Budday – Act III Scene 2: A Martial Symphony (00:43)
2-21. Miriam Allan, Michael Chance, Patrick van Goethem, Mark LeBrocq, André Morsch, Hanoverian Court Orchestra, Maulbronn Chamber Choir, Jürgen Budday – Act III Scene 3: Aria: To pow’r immortal my first thanks are due (Gobrias) (03:22)
2-22. Miriam Allan, Michael Chance, Patrick van Goethem, Mark LeBrocq, André Morsch, Hanoverian Court Orchestra, Maulbronn Chamber Choir, Jürgen Budday – Act III Scene 3: Recitative: Be it thy care, good Gobrias (Cyrus) (00:24)
2-23. Miriam Allan, Michael Chance, Patrick van Goethem, Mark LeBrocq, André Morsch, Hanoverian Court Orchestra, Maulbronn Chamber Choir, Jürgen Budday – Act III Scene 3: Aria: Destructive war, thy limits know (Cyrus) (02:29)
2-24. Miriam Allan, Michael Chance, Patrick van Goethem, Mark LeBrocq, André Morsch, Hanoverian Court Orchestra, Maulbronn Chamber Choir, Jürgen Budday – Act III Scene 3: Duet: Great victor, at your feet I bow (Nitocris, Cyrus) (04:25)
2-25. Miriam Allan, Michael Chance, Patrick van Goethem, Mark LeBrocq, André Morsch, Hanoverian Court Orchestra, Maulbronn Chamber Choir, Jürgen Budday – Act III Scene 3: Recitative: Say, venerable prophet, is there aught (Cyrus, Daniel) (00:51)
2-26. Miriam Allan, Michael Chance, Patrick van Goethem, Mark LeBrocq, André Morsch, Hanoverian Court Orchestra, Maulbronn Chamber Choir, Jürgen Budday – Act III Scene 3: Tell it out among the heathen (Soloists, Chorus) (01:59)
2-27. Miriam Allan, Michael Chance, Patrick van Goethem, Mark LeBrocq, André Morsch, Hanoverian Court Orchestra, Maulbronn Chamber Choir, Jürgen Budday – Act III Scene 3: Recitative: Yes, I will build thy city, God of Israel! (Cyrus) (02:37)
2-28. Miriam Allan, Michael Chance, Patrick van Goethem, Mark LeBrocq, André Morsch, Hanoverian Court Orchestra, Maulbronn Chamber Choir, Jürgen Budday – Act III Scene 3: I will magnify Thee, O God my king (Daniel, Nitocris, Chorus) (06:04)
