GEORGE FRIDERIC HANDEL Saul, oratorio (London 1739) RIAS Kammerchor Berlin, Concerto Köln, René Jacobs

Contents

GEORGE FRIDERIC HANDEL [1685-1759]
SAUL
· Symphony Allegro - Larghetto - Allegro - Andante larghetto (8'00)
· ACT ONE
Scene I
1. ChorusHow excellent Thy name, o Lord (2'37)
· 2. Air Soprano An infant raised by thy command
3. Trio Alto, tenore, basso Along the monster atheist strode (2'08)
· 4. Soprano, alto, tenore, basso The youth inspired by Thee, o Lord
5. Chorus How excellent Thy name, o Lord (3'55)
· 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 (3'38)
· 9. Air David O king, your favours with delights
10. Recitative Jonathan Oh early piety! (5'21)
· 11. Air Merab What abject thoughts a prince can have!
12. Recitative Merab Yet think, on whom this honour you bestow (2'13)
· 13. Air JonathanBirth and fortune I despise! (4'56)
· 14. Recitative High Priest Go on, illustrious pair!
15. Air High Priest While yet thy tide of blood runs high (2'45)
· 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 (3'19)
· 20. Symphony Andante allegro
21. Recitative Michal Already see the daughters of the land
Scene III
22. Chorus Welcome, welcome, mighty king! (2'47)
· 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 (2'17)
· Scene IV
27. Recitative Jonathan, Michal Imprudent women!
28. Air Michal Fell rage and black despair possessed (2'58)
· 29. Recitative High Priest This but the smallest part of Harmony
30. Accompagnato High Priest By thee this universal frame (2'47)
· Scene V
31. Recitative Abner Racked with infernal pains
32. Air David O Lord, whose mercies numberless (3'51)
· 33. Symphony Largo
34. Recitative Jonathan 'Tis all in vain, his fury still continues (2'14)
· 35. Air Saul A serpent, in my bosom warmed
36. Recitative Saul Has he escaped my rage? (2'22)
· 37. Air Merab Capricious man (3'38)
· Scene VI
38. Accompagnato Jonathan O filial piety!
39. Air Jonathan No, cruel father, no! (3'00)
· 40. Air High Priest O Lord, whose providence
41. Chorus Preserve him for the glory of Thy name (3'37)
· ACT TWO
Scene I
42. Chorus Envy! Eldest born of hell! (2'47)
· Scene II
43. Recitative Jonathan Ah! dearest friend
44. Air Jonathan But sooner Jordan' stream, I swear (2'36)
· 45. Recitative David, Jonathan Oh strange vicissitude!
46. Air David Such haughty beauties rather move (5'07)


SAUL
· 47. Recitative Jonathan My father comes
Scene III
48. Recitative Saul, Jonathan Hast thou obeyed my orders (0'42)
· 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 (4'54)
· 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! (1'49)
· 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 (4'18)
· 58. Symphony Largo - Allegro (4'35)
· Scene VI
59. Recitative David Thy father is as cruel
60. Duet David, Michal At persecution I can laugh (1'37)
· Scene VII
61. Recitative Michal, Doeg Whom dost thou seek
62. Air Michal No, no let the guilty tremble (2'14)
· Scene VIII
63. Recitative Merab Mean as he was, he is my brother now
64. Air Merab Author of peace, who canst controul (3'32)
· Scene IX
65. Symphony Allegro (1'06)
· 66. Accompagnato Saul The time at length is come
Scene X
67. Recitative Saul, Jonathan Where is the son of Jesse? (1'29)
· 68. Chorus Oh fatal consequence of Rage (4'46)
· ACT THREE
Scene I
69. Accompagnato Saul Wretch that I am
70. Recit - Accompagnato Saul 'Tis said, here lives a woman (3'15)
· Scene II
71. Recitative Witch, Saul With me what would'st thou
72. Air Witch of Endor Infernal spirits (2'50)
· Scene III
73. Accompagnato Samuel, Saul Why hast thou forced me from the realms of peace (2'42)
· 74. Symphony Allegro (0'33)
· Scene IV
75. Recitative David, Amalekite Whence comest thou?
76. Air David Impious wretch, of race accurst! (2'52)
· 77. March Grave (3'03)
· Scene V
78. Chorus Mourn, Israel (3'27)
· 79. Air High Priest Oh let it not in Gath be heard (2'07)
· 80. Air Merab From this unhappy day (2'39)
· 81. Air David Brave Jonathan is bow never drew
82. Chorus Eagles were not so swift as they (2'09)
· 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! (9'06)
· 86. Chorus Gird on thy sword, thou man of might (5'01)