Esther, First reconstructable version (Cannons), 1720

by George Frideric Handel; Dunedin Consort, John Butt

Tracklist

Hybrid SACD 1

  1. Esther, HWV 50a: Act I: Overture: Andante1:58
  2. Esther, HWV 50a: Act I: Overture: Larghetto2:35
  3. Esther, HWV 50a: Act I: Overture: Allegro2:27
  4. Esther, HWV 50a: Act I, Scene 1: Recitative: 'Tis greater far to spare, than to destroy (Habdonah, Haman)0:41
  5. Esther, HWV 50a: Act I, Scene 1: Air: Pluck root and branch from out the land (Haman)1:59
  6. Esther, HWV 50a: Act I, Scene 1: Recitative: Our souls with ardour glow (Persian Officer)0:07
  7. Esther, HWV 50a: Act I, Scene 1: Shall we the God of Israel fear? (Chorus)1:51
  8. Esther, HWV 50a: Act I, Scene 2: Recitative: Now persecution shall lay by her iron rod (First Israelite)0:16
  9. Esther, HWV 50a: Act I, Scene 2: Air: Tune your harps to cheerful strains (First Israelite)4:21
  10. Esther, HWV 50a: Act I, Scene 2: Shall we of servitude complain (Chorus)1:24
  11. Esther, HWV 50a: Act I, Scene 2: Recitative: O God, who from the suckling's mouth (Israelite Woman)0:16
  12. Esther, HWV 50a: Act I, Scene 2: Air: Praise the Lord with cheerful noise (Israelite Woman)5:38
  13. Esther, HWV 50a: Act I, Scene 2: Shall we of servitude complain1:23
  14. Esther, HWV 50a: Act I, Scene 3: Recitative: How have our sins provok'd the Lord! (Priest of the Israelites)1:05
  15. Esther, HWV 50a: Act I, Scene 3: Ye sons of Israel mourn (Chorus)1:52
  16. Esther, HWV 50a: Act I, Scene 3: Aria: O Jordan, Jordan, sacred tide (Priest of the Israelites)7:42
  17. Esther, HWV 50a: Act I, Scene 3: Ye sons of Israel mourn2:01
  18. Esther, HWV 50a: Act II, Scene 1: Recitative: Why sits that sorrow on thy brow? (Esther, Mordecai)1:02
  19. Esther, HWV 50a: Act II, Scene 1: Air: Dread not, righteous Queen, the danger (Mordecai)4:25
  20. Esther, HWV 50a: Act II, Scene 1: Recitative: I go before the King to stand (Esther)0:13
  21. Esther, HWV 50a: Act II, Scene 1: Air: Tears assist me, pity moving (Esther)2:50
  22. Esther, HWV 50a: Act II, Scene 1: Save us, O Lord (Chorus)1:27
  23. Esther, HWV 50a: Act II, Scene 2: Recitative: Who dares intrude into our presence (Ahasuerus, Esther)1:09
  24. Esther, HWV 50a: Act II, Scene 2: Duet: Who calls my parting soul from death? (Esther, Ahasuerus)2:46
  25. Esther, HWV 50a: Act II, Scene 2: Air: O beauteous Queen, unclose those eyes! (Ahasuerus)7:18
  26. Esther, HWV 50a: Act II, Scene 2: Recitative: If I find favour in thy sight (Esther)0:20
  27. Esther, HWV 50a: Act II, Scene 2: Aria: How can I stay when love invites? (Ahasuerus)3:09
  28. Esther, HWV 50a: Act II, Scene 3: Recitative: With inward joy his visage glows (Third Israelite, Fourth Israelite)0:16
  29. Esther, HWV 50a: Act II, Scene 3: Virtue, truth and innocence (Chorus)2:44

Hybrid SACD 2

  1. Esther, HWV 50a: Act III, Scene 1: Air: Jehovah, crown'd with glory bright (Priest of the Israelites)1:58
  2. Esther, HWV 50a: Act III, Scene 1: He comes, he comes to end our woes (Chorus)4:17
  3. Esther, HWV 50a: Act III, Scene 2: Recitative: Now, O Queen, thy suit declare (Ahasuerus, Esther)1:38
  4. Esther, HWV 50a: Act III, Scene 2: Accompanied: Turn not, O Queen, thy face away (Haman)2:37
  5. Esther, HWV 50a: Act III, Scene 2: Air: Flatt'ring tongue, no more I hear thee! (Esther)4:52
  6. Esther, HWV 50a: Act III, Scene 2: Recitative: Guards, seize the traitor, bear him hence! (Ahasuerus)0:40
  7. Esther, HWV 50a: Act III, Scene 2: Air: How art thou fall'n from thy height! (Haman)6:10
  8. Esther, HWV 50a: Act III, Scene 3: The Lord our enemy has slain (Chorus)11:57