Immerse yourself in the powerful and dramatic world of George Frideric Handel's "Samson, HWV 57," a captivating orchestral and choral work that showcases the composer's mastery of the Baroque era. Released on April 7, 2017, by Urania Records, this album is a stunning rendition of Handel's oratorio, originally written in English but performed here in German, offering a fresh perspective on this timeless masterpiece.
The album spans a generous 2 hours and 3 minutes, featuring a full cast of talented vocalists and musicians who bring Handel's dramatic narrative to life. The story of Samson, drawn from the biblical Book of Judges, is a tale of betrayal, redemption, and ultimate triumph, all set to Handel's rich and evocative music.
From the stirring Overture that opens the album to the poignant and reflective Airs and Choruses that follow, each track is a testament to Handel's ability to convey deep emotion and dramatic tension through his music. Highlights include the powerful Act I Chorus "Awake the trumpet's lofty sound!" and the moving Act III Air "Thus when the sun from's wat'ry bed," sung by Samson.
The album is a must-listen for fans of classical music, opera, and choral works, offering a rich and immersive experience that highlights the enduring appeal of Handel's compositions. Whether you're a seasoned Handel enthusiast or a newcomer to his music, "Samson, HWV 57" is sure to captivate and inspire.
2017 Urania Records2017 Urania Records
Tracks
Samson, HWV 57 (Sung in German): OvertureGeorge Frideric Handel, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Ferenc Fricsay
Samson, HWV 57 (Sung in German), Act I: Act I: Chorus: Awake the trumpet's lofty sound! (Chorus)George Frideric Handel, RIAS Kammerchor, Chor der St. Hedwigs-Kathedrale Berlin, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Ferenc Fricsay
Samson, HWV 57 (Sung in German), Act I: Act I: Total eclipse! No sun, no moon! (Samson)George Frideric Handel, Ernst Haefliger, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Ferenc Fricsay
Samson, HWV 57 (Sung in German), Act I: Act I: Oh first created beam! (Chorus)George Frideric Handel, RIAS Kammerchor, Chor der St. Hedwigs-Kathedrale Berlin, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Ferenc Fricsay
Samson, HWV 57 (Sung in German), Act I: Act I: Aria: Thy glorious deeds inspir'd my tongue (Manoah)George Frideric Handel, Kim Borg, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Ferenc Fricsay
Samson, HWV 57 (Sung in German), Act I: Act I: Recitative: My griefs for this (Samson)George Frideric Handel, Ernst Haefliger, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Ferenc Fricsay
Samson, HWV 57 (Sung in German), Act I: Act I: Why does the God of lsrael sleep? (Samson)George Frideric Handel, Ernst Haefliger, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Ferenc Fricsay
Samson, HWV 57 (Sung in German), Act I: Act I: Return, O God of hosts (Micah, Chorus)George Frideric Handel, Ernst Haefliger, Marga Höffgen, Maria Stader, RIAS Kammerchor, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Ferenc Fricsay
Samson, HWV 57 (Sung in German), Act II: Act II: Duet: My faith and truth (Delilah, Maiden and Chorus)George Frideric Handel, Maria Stader, Maria Reith, Ernst Haefliger, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Ferenc Fricsay
Samson, HWV 57 (Sung in German), Act II: Act II: Traitor to love! I’ll sue no more (Dalila, Samson)George Frideric Handel, Ernst Haefliger, Maria Stader, Heinz Rehfuss, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Ferenc Fricsay
Samson, HWV 57 (Sung in German), Act II: Act II: Air: Honour and arms scorn such a foe (Harapha)George Frideric Handel, Heinz Rehfuss, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Ferenc Fricsay
Samson, HWV 57 (Sung in German), Act II: Act II: Recitative: With thee! A man condemn'd (Harapha, Samson)George Frideric Handel, Ernst Haefliger, Heinz Rehfuss, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Ferenc Fricsay
Samson, HWV 57 (Sung in German), Act II: Act II: Duet: Go, baffled coward, go (Samson, Harapha)George Frideric Handel, Ernst Haefliger, Heinz Rehfuss, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Ferenc Fricsay
Samson, HWV 57 (Sung in German), Act II: Act II: Hear, Jacob's God, Jehovah, hear! (Chorus)George Frideric Handel, Heinz Rehfuss, RIAS Kammerchor, Chor der St. Hedwigs-Kathedrale Berlin, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Ferenc Fricsay
Samson, HWV 57 (Sung in German), Act II: Act II: Air: To song and dance we give the dayGeorge Frideric Handel, RIAS Kammerchor, Chor der St. Hedwigs-Kathedrale Berlin, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Ferenc Fricsay
Samson, HWV 57 (Sung in German), Act III: Act III: Recitative: More trouble is behind (Micah, Samson, Harapha)George Frideric Handel, Ernst Haefliger, Marga Höffgen, Heinz Rehfuss, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Ferenc Fricsay
Samson, HWV 57 (Sung in German), Act III: Act III: Recitative: Reflect then, Samson (Micah, Samson)George Frideric Handel, Ernst Haefliger, Marga Höffgen, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Ferenc Fricsay
Samson, HWV 57 (Sung in German), Act III: Act III: Chorus: With thunder arm'd, great God, arise! (Israelites)George Frideric Handel, Marga Höffgen, Ernst Haefliger, Heinz Rehfuss, RIAS Kammerchor, Chor der St. Hedwigs-Kathedrale Berlin, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Ferenc Fricsay
Samson, HWV 57 (Sung in German), Act III: Act III Scene 1: Air: Thus when the sun from's wat'ry bed (Samson)George Frideric Handel, Ernst Haefliger, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Ferenc Fricsay
Samson, HWV 57 (Sung in German), Act III: Act III: Recitative: With might endued above the sons of men (Micah)George Frideric Handel, Marga Höffgen, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Ferenc Fricsay
Samson, HWV 57 (Sung in German), Act III: Act III: Air: The Holy One of Israel be thy guide (Micah)George Frideric Handel, Marga Höffgen, RIAS Kammerchor, Chor der St. Hedwigs-Kathedrale Berlin, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Ferenc Fricsay
Samson, HWV 57 (Sung in German), Act III: Act III: Chorus: Great Dagon has subdu'd our foe (Israelite, Chorus)George Frideric Handel, Maria Reith, RIAS Kammerchor, Chor der St. Hedwigs-Kathedrale Berlin, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Ferenc Fricsay
Samson, HWV 57 (Sung in German), Act III: Act III: Air: How willing my paternal love (Manoah)George Frideric Handel, Marga Höffgen, Kim Borg, Chor der St. Hedwigs-Kathedrale Berlin, RIAS Kammerchor, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Ferenc Fricsay
Samson, HWV 57 (Sung in German), Act III: Act III: Air: Ye sons of Israel, now lament (Micah)George Frideric Handel, Marga Höffgen, Kim Borg, Chor der St. Hedwigs-Kathedrale Berlin, RIAS Kammerchor, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Ferenc Fricsay
Samson, HWV 57 (Sung in German), Act III: Act III: A Dead MarchGeorge Frideric Handel, Marga Höffgen, Kim Borg, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Ferenc Fricsay
Samson, HWV 57 (Sung in German), Act III: Act III: Glorious Hero, may thy grave Peace (Chorus)George Frideric Handel, Maria Reith, Kim Borg, RIAS Kammerchor, Chor der St. Hedwigs-Kathedrale Berlin, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Ferenc Fricsay
Samson, HWV 57 (Sung in German), Act III: Act III: Air: Let the bright seraphim in burning row (Israelite Woman)George Frideric Handel, Maria Reith, RIAS Kammerchor, Chor der St. Hedwigs-Kathedrale Berlin, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Ferenc Fricsay