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Suzanne Aspden for Building a Library surveys recordings of Handel's oratorio Jephtha.

'Jephtha' tells the Old Testament story of the warrior who promises God that in gratitude for victory he will, on returning from battle, sacrifice the first person he sees coming out of his house. Of course, it's his beloved only daughter.

Through a dazzling sequence of choruses and solo numbers, which deliver penetrating insights into the human condition and typically subtle characterisation, Handel explores humankind's enslavement to an implacable and inescapable destiny. Handel's final oratorio is a work of huge emotive power, a summation of a lifetime's composing for the stage, and considered by many to be his masterpiece in a genre he had developed further than any other composer.

Recommended Recording:

HANDEL: JEPHTHA

James Gilchrist (Jephtha), Susan Bickley (Storge), Sophie Bevan (Iphis),
Robin Blaze (Hamor), Matthew Brook (Zebul), Grace Davidson (Angel)

The Sixteen; Harry Christophers (conductor)

Coro COR16121 (3 CDs)

Also Recommended:

Below is another recording which Suzanne also liked, although we can鈥檛 guarantee the availability of these discs.

Handel: Jephtha

James Gilchrist (Jephtha), Elisabeth Jansson (Storge), Mona Julsrud (Iphis),
Marianne B. Kielland (Hamor), H氓vard Stensvold (Zebul), Elisabeth Rapp (Angel)

Collegium Vocale Gent and Stavanger Symphony Orchestra; Fabio Biondi (conductor)

BISCD1864 (2 CDs)

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