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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk
This is an absolutely splendid recording. The music is beautiful, though of the 13 arias only the one from Messiah is well-known; the rest come from relatively obscure oratorios (or operas--the distinction is often blurred). Artfully arranged for maximum diversity of tempo, length, tonality, mood and character, they add up to a consistently engrossing programme.
The performances could hardly be better. David Daniels is an extraordinary artist: his voice, effortlessly produced and impeccably focused, has an incredibly pure, even quality over an enormous range and he can give it infinite variety of nuance, inflection, and expression--from exquisite sweetness in the lyrical arias to assertiveness and defiance in the dramatic ones; it even matches the colour of the instruments in answering phrases. His coloratura, delivered in smooth legato, but clear and flawless like a string of pearls, is stunning. He gives every note vibrant life and brings out the character of each aria without fuss or exaggeration. In the da capo arias, he embellishes the repeats with imaginative but never excessive ornamentation that sounds genuinely improvised.
The period orchestra is excellent; using normal tuning but baroque style, the players can step forward as soloists or set and underline mood and atmosphere. Listeners will choose their own favourite gems from this treasure trove, but listening to the concluding aria, "He was despised," one understands why Messiah is Handel's most enduringly popular oratorio. --Edith Eisler
Product Description
CD Ensemble Orchestral De Paris/Nelson/Daniels
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
By Rune Wold
Format:Audio CD
A long awaited release, by me anyway, and it is, as always, a pleasure. I must say I was very pleased with the cover this time (well...it is an important selling point and he DOES look good, so sale figures should be on the rise as we speak).
Anyway..back to the music. David has this time turned to the master himself for inspiration and has come up with 13 brilliant arias from a variety of Handels oratorios. We have already heard him in opera arias from Handel and we know this is one of the things he does well and suits his voice. The selection of arias is well chosen and contains a wealth of treasures. Try the arias from "Theodora", he has performed this oratorio on stage and it is clear, from the arias, that he loves this music. His voice is clear and wonderful and he sings the arias with much relish and conviction. Even though the oratorios that Handel wrote was intended for the concert stage and not as a full stage performance, the arias are as dramatic as the arias heard in the operas and I bet David would have made a wonderful job of performing them (get the video/dvd of his performance in Theodora at Glyndbourne and you will see what I mean!).
If you need any persuasion to buy this record try the following tracks, "Despair no more shall wound me" from Semele,the lovely "Kind Heaven" from Theodora and the stunning "He was despised" from Messiah. The orchestra is the Ensemble Orchestra de Paris and it is conducted by John Nelson. I would not hesitate to add this to my collection of David Daniels records. Happy listening!
Anyway..back to the music. David has this time turned to the master himself for inspiration and has come up with 13 brilliant arias from a variety of Handels oratorios. We have already heard him in opera arias from Handel and we know this is one of the things he does well and suits his voice. The selection of arias is well chosen and contains a wealth of treasures. Try the arias from "Theodora", he has performed this oratorio on stage and it is clear, from the arias, that he loves this music. His voice is clear and wonderful and he sings the arias with much relish and conviction. Even though the oratorios that Handel wrote was intended for the concert stage and not as a full stage performance, the arias are as dramatic as the arias heard in the operas and I bet David would have made a wonderful job of performing them (get the video/dvd of his performance in Theodora at Glyndbourne and you will see what I mean!).
If you need any persuasion to buy this record try the following tracks, "Despair no more shall wound me" from Semele,the lovely "Kind Heaven" from Theodora and the stunning "He was despised" from Messiah. The orchestra is the Ensemble Orchestra de Paris and it is conducted by John Nelson. I would not hesitate to add this to my collection of David Daniels records. Happy listening!
Format:MP3 Download|Amazon Verified Purchase
Any fan of David Daniels will love this CD programme of arias. IT is fine in every respect. First the orchestral accompaniment is superb; well articulated playing in fast moments and beautiful tone in quiet ones. John Nelson obviously understands this style of music and gives Daniels an excellent accompanying ensemble on which to layer his own performances. There is little point in writing endless superlatives for David Daniels's singing. He is a countertenor at the top of his career - he produces glorious tone in performances that are demonstrate a deep understanding of Handel's music. His Handel Opera CD with Norrington is at the top of my list of favourites and is now joined by this CD of Oratorio Arias. For lovers of the Baroque as well as fans of David Daniels, this CD is a must.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
4.7 out of 5 stars
7 reviews
19 of 20 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
A beautiful recital
23 Sep 2002
By A Customer
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Audio CD
For once, I'll be brief. Beautiful singing and playing. Daniels performance of "Oh, Lord whose mercies numberless" is alone worth the price of the CD. Mr. Daniels is a consummate musician and this release further gives proof of that. Lovers of Handel and baroque music in general and English oratorios in particular will be more than delighted with this CD. Sit back and enjoy.
18 of 22 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Most Sublime Voice on the Planet
19 Sep 2002
By A Customer
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Audio CD
While David Daniels' brilliant coloratura is in evidence in several numbers on this disc (a breathtaking "Destructive War," from Belshazzar, and "Despair no more shall wound me," from Semele), it's in the slower, more contemplative arias that his singing reaches the sublime. "He was despised" and "Oh Lord, whose mercies numberless" show Daniels at his incomparable best, with his unbelievable breath control, melting legato, and exquisite vocal coloring. This is the most instantly recognizable and beautiful voice before the public today.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
a voice teacher and early music fan
7 Oct 2006
By George Peabody
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Audio CD
DAZZLING, DYNAMIC, DRAMATIC DANIELS!!!!!!!!!!
This recording in my opinion displays more than any other the versatility of David Daniel's perfomances. He shifts easily from character to character in these oratorios, his voice always making the necessary adjustments to do so. His tone quality is even throughout his range and his diction is always clear and precise, even at breakneck speeds as in the aria from 'Belshazzar'.
Handel's oratorio style was the product of many mingled elements. Germany, Italy and England all had a hand in its formation. But the work that Handel did in the development of the oratorio alone gives him the right to rank among the greatest of those to whom we owe the modern forms of music. David Daniels to my mind has chosen six of the greatest of Handel's oratorios.
'Belshazzar' was written to a text based on the book of Daniel, by the rich and eccentric land-owner Charles Jennens with whom he collaborated many times. 'O Sacred Oracle of Truth' is sung by the imprisoned prophet Daniel, while 'Destructive War' is sung by the haughty and magnamimous Cyrus, King of Persia, who frees the Hebrews from their slavery under the Babylonian king Belshazzar.
"Semele" is a secular story taken from Greek mythology put into verse by William Congreve. Jupiter lusts after a mortal woman snatching her from her family in the form of an eagle. The young woman, Semele,arouses the jealous anger of Juno, who takes her revenge. As a result of a plot that the goddess hatches,Semele is destroyed by fire. The 2 arias heard here are for Athamas who is betrothed to Semele. He finally gains consolation by marrying Semele's sister.
The heroine of 'Theodora' is a Christian martyr whose life is recounted by St. Ambrose in his 'De virginibus of AD377. When Theodora is punished for refusing to worship the Roman gods, Didymus(a Roman soldier who has secretly converted to Christianity) rescues her from imprisonment; is then condemned to death, Theodora joins him in martyrdom.
The oratorio 'Saul' centres on the celebrated trio of Saul,David and Jonathan. Based on the first book of Samuel, it dealt with a familiar story to most of the public at that time. 'Brave Jonathan' and 'O Lord, whose mercies Numberless' are both sung by David being pursued by a jealous Saul, but is sustained by the staunch friendship of Jonathan.
'Jeptha' is based on Chapter 11 of the book of Judges. The theme; Jeptha's promise to sacrifice to God ,in exchange for a victory over the enemy ,the first person to come out of his house to greet him after the battle; and it is his daughter Iphis. But what the Christian God really demands is that his daughter consecrate herself to Him and thus retain her virginity. And Hamor (countertenor) although very unhappy indeed sighs for her 'Up the Dreadful Steep Ascending' and 'Dull Delay'.
The libretto of the "Messiah" is based on extracts from the Bible and The Book of Common Prayer, arranged by Charles Jennens. Unlike the other oratorios,it does not tell a story. 'He Was Despised' invites the listener to meditate on the horrendous suffering imposed by mankind on Jesus before his crucifixion.
This recording is a 'must' for all Daniels' fans, as well as lovers of Handel's music.
This recording in my opinion displays more than any other the versatility of David Daniel's perfomances. He shifts easily from character to character in these oratorios, his voice always making the necessary adjustments to do so. His tone quality is even throughout his range and his diction is always clear and precise, even at breakneck speeds as in the aria from 'Belshazzar'.
Handel's oratorio style was the product of many mingled elements. Germany, Italy and England all had a hand in its formation. But the work that Handel did in the development of the oratorio alone gives him the right to rank among the greatest of those to whom we owe the modern forms of music. David Daniels to my mind has chosen six of the greatest of Handel's oratorios.
'Belshazzar' was written to a text based on the book of Daniel, by the rich and eccentric land-owner Charles Jennens with whom he collaborated many times. 'O Sacred Oracle of Truth' is sung by the imprisoned prophet Daniel, while 'Destructive War' is sung by the haughty and magnamimous Cyrus, King of Persia, who frees the Hebrews from their slavery under the Babylonian king Belshazzar.
"Semele" is a secular story taken from Greek mythology put into verse by William Congreve. Jupiter lusts after a mortal woman snatching her from her family in the form of an eagle. The young woman, Semele,arouses the jealous anger of Juno, who takes her revenge. As a result of a plot that the goddess hatches,Semele is destroyed by fire. The 2 arias heard here are for Athamas who is betrothed to Semele. He finally gains consolation by marrying Semele's sister.
The heroine of 'Theodora' is a Christian martyr whose life is recounted by St. Ambrose in his 'De virginibus of AD377. When Theodora is punished for refusing to worship the Roman gods, Didymus(a Roman soldier who has secretly converted to Christianity) rescues her from imprisonment; is then condemned to death, Theodora joins him in martyrdom.
The oratorio 'Saul' centres on the celebrated trio of Saul,David and Jonathan. Based on the first book of Samuel, it dealt with a familiar story to most of the public at that time. 'Brave Jonathan' and 'O Lord, whose mercies Numberless' are both sung by David being pursued by a jealous Saul, but is sustained by the staunch friendship of Jonathan.
'Jeptha' is based on Chapter 11 of the book of Judges. The theme; Jeptha's promise to sacrifice to God ,in exchange for a victory over the enemy ,the first person to come out of his house to greet him after the battle; and it is his daughter Iphis. But what the Christian God really demands is that his daughter consecrate herself to Him and thus retain her virginity. And Hamor (countertenor) although very unhappy indeed sighs for her 'Up the Dreadful Steep Ascending' and 'Dull Delay'.
The libretto of the "Messiah" is based on extracts from the Bible and The Book of Common Prayer, arranged by Charles Jennens. Unlike the other oratorios,it does not tell a story. 'He Was Despised' invites the listener to meditate on the horrendous suffering imposed by mankind on Jesus before his crucifixion.
This recording is a 'must' for all Daniels' fans, as well as lovers of Handel's music.
›
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4.7 out of 5 stars
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