Album

Bryn Terfel's 1997 recital includes arias and recitatives from Handel's oratorios, operas, and sacred music that span much of the composer's mature career, from Acis and Galatea to Judas Maccabeus. Terfel's full and resonant voice is especially welcome in this repertoire, which is frequently assigned to a lighter voice; the deep notes that anchor "Behold a ghostly band," from Alexander's Feast, and "O ruddier than the cherry," from Acis and Galatea, are satisfyingly secure and solid. Terfel also has the lightness and agility to nimbly negotiate the coloratura that the former requires. The same is true in the selections from Messiah, where his ringing bass-baritone is especially stirring and his flexibility really shines, particularly in "But who may abide the day of his coming." The album also includes several transposed arias, including "Where'er you walk," from Semele, and solos from Giulio Cesare, Berenice and Alcina, originally written in the alto range for castrato. Generally, it would be hard to tell that these were not conceived for his voice type, except that the Semele aria is so familiar as a tenor solo. Terfel sings with absolutely precise intonation, which makes his performance especially enjoyable, and he brings lively characterizations to the varied repertoire with his deft vocal colorings. Charles Mackerras, leading the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, provides a supple and understated accompaniment. Deutsche Grammophon's sound is clean and well balanced.

© Stephen Eddins, All Music Guide

CD 1
George Frideric Handel Composer Judas Maccabaeus, HWV63...Act 1 Work 4:32 Bryn Terfel Bass-baritone, John Fisher Harpsichord, Sir Charles Mackerras Conductor, Scottish Chamber Orchestra Orchestra
1	9. Recitative: I feel, I feel the deity within	1:07			$0.49
2	10. Air: Arm, arm ye brave!; 11.Chorus: We come in bright array	3:25			$0.99
George Frideric Handel Composer Te Deum in D ('Dettingen'), HWV283 Work Bryn Terfel Bass-baritone, John Fisher Harpsichord, Sir Charles Mackerras Conductor, Scottish Chamber Orchestra Orchestra
3	17.Recitative: Vouchsafe, O Lord	2:17			$0.99
George Frideric Handel Composer Samson, HWV57...Act 2 Work Bryn Terfel Bass-baritone, John Fisher Harpsichord, Sir Charles Mackerras Obbligato Vocal, Scottish Chamber Orchestra Orchestra
4	24.Sc.2, Air: Honour and arms scorn such a foe	5:51			$0.99
George Frideric Handel Composer Berenice, regina d'Egitto, HWV38 (opera)...Act 2 Work Bryn Terfel Bass-baritone, John Fisher Harpsichord, Sir Charles Mackerras Conductor, Scottish Chamber Orchestra Orchestra
5	47.Aria: Sì, tra i ceppi e le ritorte (Demetrio)	4:17			$0.99
George Frideric Handel Composer Alcina, HWV34 (opera)...Act 2 Work Bryn Terfel Bass-baritone, John Fisher Harpsichord, Sir Charles Mackerras Obbligato Vocal, Scottish Chamber Orchestra Orchestra
6	4.Sc.11: Aria: Verdi prati, selve amene	3:51			$0.99
George Frideric Handel Composer Orlando, HWV31 (opera)...Act 3 Work 5:53 Bryn Terfel Bass-baritone, John Fisher Harpsichord, Sir Charles Mackerras Obbligato Vocal, Scottish Chamber Orchestra Orchestra
7	12.O voi del mio poter ministri eletti	1:14			$0.49
8	13.Sc.6: Sorge infausta una procella	4:39			$0.99
George Frideric Handel Composer Acis and Galatea, HWV49 (opera) Work 4:28 Bryn Terfel Bass-baritone, John Fisher Harpsichord, Sir Charles Mackerras Conductor, Scottish Chamber Orchestra Orchestra
9	14.Accompagnato: I rage, I melt, I burn!	1:27			$0.49
10	15.Aria: O ruddier than the cherry	3:01			$0.99
George Frideric Handel Composer Semele, HWV58...Act 2 Work Bryn Terfel Bass-baritone, John Fisher Harpsichord, Sir Charles Mackerras Conductor, Scottish Chamber Orchestra Orchestra
11	17.Air: Where'er you walk	4:36			$0.99
George Frideric Handel Composer Alexander's Feast, ode for St. Cecilia's Day, HWV75...Part 2 Work Bryn Terfel Bass-baritone, John Fisher Harpsichord, Sir Charles Mackerras Conductor, Scottish Chamber Orchestra Orchestra
12	1.Air and Recitative: Revenge, revenge, Timotheus cries ... Behold, a ghastly band	7:19			$1.49
George Frideric Handel Composer Giulio Cesare in Egitto, HWV17 (opera)...Act 1 Work Bryn Terfel Bass-baritone, John Fisher Harpsichord, Sir Charles Mackerras Obbligato Vocal, Scottish Chamber Orchestra Orchestra
13	25.Sc.9, Aria: Va tacito e nascosto	6:16			$0.99
George Frideric Handel Composer Xerxes ('Serse'), HWV40 (opera)...Act 1 Work 3:49 Bryn Terfel Bass-baritone, John Fisher Harpsichord, Sir Charles Mackerras Conductor, Scottish Chamber Orchestra Orchestra
14	2.Recitative: Frondi tenere e belle	0:46			$0.49
15	3.Arioso: Ombra mai fu	3:03			$0.99
George Frideric Handel Composer Messiah, HWV56 (standard version)...Part 1 Work 5:50 Bryn Terfel Bass-baritone, John Fisher Harpsichord, Sir Charles Mackerras Obbligato Vocal, Scottish Chamber Orchestra Orchestra
16	5.Recitative (Bass): Thus saith the Lord of Hosts	1:30			$0.49
17	6.Aria (Bass): But who may abide	4:20			$0.99
George Frideric Handel Composer Messiah, HWV56 (standard version)...Part 2 Work Bryn Terfel Bass-baritone, John Fisher Harpsichord, Sir Charles Mackerras Obbligato Vocal, Scottish Chamber Orchestra Orchestra
18	43.Aria (Bass): Why do the nations so furiously rage together?	4:53			$0.99
George Frideric Handel Composer Messiah, HWV56 (standard version)...Part 3 Work 9:27 Bryn Terfel Bass-baritone, John Fisher Harpsichord, Sir Charles Mackerras Obbligato Vocal, Scottish Chamber Orchestra Orchestra
19	50.Recitative (Bass): Behold, I tell you a mystery	0:36			$0.49
20	51.Aria (Bass): The trumpet shall sound	8:51			$1.49