Handel: Acis and Galatea on CD, SACD, DVD, Blu- ray & download (MP3 & FLAC)Acis and Galatea is the Dunedin Consort's second Handel recording and follows their hugely successful 1. Messiah, which earned the group a Classic FM Gramophone Award for . The Consort has recorded the Original Cannons Performing Version from 1. There are notable differences in the Cannons version including changes in instrumentation and vocal scoring (there is no alto line) made by Handel to suit the forces at Cannons.
This includes one- to- a- part choruses, in a similar manner to the choruses in the Consort. Acis and Galatea is a beautiful pastoral entertainment, Handel's first dramatic work in English, with a simple yet highly emotional story that encompasses the extremes of love and tragedy. In 2. 00. 7, the Dunedin Consort. This is the only such award presented to a Scottish group in recent years (and the first to an ensemble that is not a Scottish National Company or BBC orchestra) and now gives the Dunedin Consort a truly international reputation. This beggars belief because the Cannons version text makes more dramatic sense and the musical scale of it is charming. It is certainly among Handel's most perfect creations. Thankfully, John Butt has researched the performing conditions and text of the Cannons Acis. The philological aspects of the Dunedin Consort & Players' new recording are impeccable, and, better still, the performance is utterly magical. The Sinfonia brims with unforced personality, after which the pastoral chorus 'O the pleasure of the plains' is relaxed, with the oboes given enough space to weave their imitative lines clearly. The five singers and the band are beautifully in proportion with each other, and Linn's sound recording is stunningly good. Susan Hamilton's light, articulate soprano is preferable to an operatic voice in the role of Galatea. Nicholas Mulroy's Acis is resonant and suave, combining muscularity with elegance. The madrigal- like beauty of 'Wretched lovers' is breathtaking: the blend and understanding between the five singers is deeply satisfying, and the menacing music to convey the arrival of Polyphemus is astutely integrated. Matthew Brook's Polyphemus is extrovert, powerful and amusing, but also arouses pity and tenderness from the listener in 'I rage, I melt, I burn'. The dialogue between the hapless would- be seducer and the disgusted Galatea is superbly enacted by Brook and Hamilton. The roles of Damon and Coridon are admirably sung by Nicholas Hurndall Smith and Thomas Hobbs. Acis and Galatea, HWV 49 (Handel, George. Recitative: Help, Galatea (Acis) 21. Handel later adapted the piece into a three-act serenata for. Handel's sunny pastorale ('oratorio' seems too imposing a word) Acis and Galatea is just the thing to cheer you up if you're feeling gloomy, its bittersweet ending. Butt's direction from the harpsichord is a role model of taste and style, and he insightfully conveys the elusive changing tone of the story from pastoral romp into personal tragedy. Previous versions of merit still possess enduring appeal, but it seems to me that the Dunedins have transformed the way in which we can understand and enjoy Handel's lovely early English masterpiece.” Gramophone Classical Music Guide, 2. There is some world- class singing here: Susan Hamilton portrays Galatea with startling clarity and sincerity; Nicholas Mulroy makes an affecting Acis and the tremendous Matthew Brook combines power and pathos as Polyphemus.” The Guardian, 9th November 2.
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