Il Moderato No more short life they then will spend
0:38
Tenor Recitative
51.
Il Moderato Each action will derive new grace
2:04
Tenor Air
52.
L'Allegro & Il Penseroso As steals the morn upon the night
6:20
Soprano & Tenor Duet
53.
Il Moderato Thy pleasure, Moderation, give
2:51
Chorus
Solo:Gilliam Webster soprano
Solo:Laurence Kilsby treble
Solo:Jeremy Ovenden tenor
Solo:Peter Harvey baritone
Solo:Ashley Riches bass
Solo:William Whitehead organ
Choral: Gabrieli Consort
Orchestra: Gabrieli Players
Conductor:Paul McCreesh
Notes
Handel: L'Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato (1740) – Gillian Webster, Laurence Kilsby, Jeremy Ovenden, Peter Harvey, Ashley Riches, Gabrieli Consort & Players, Paul McCreesh
The Gabrieli Consort’s first Handel recording for over a decade is special, recreating in painstaking detail the very first performance of L’Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato, given in 1740, with additional instrumental repertoire including an organ concerto and two concerti grossi, also by Handel. With a reputation as peerless Handelians, Paul McCreesh and the Gabrieli Consort & Players bring meticulous research to every performance and recording project, and are joined on this disc by a stunning selection of soloists.
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Reviews
" As one would expect from McCreesh, he has put together a musically superb performance Webster’s singing is wonderful, and she is quite gripping in her great solo, ’Sweet bird’ The choral work is resoundingly splendid, and the orchestral work exemplary, including in the three concertos. The sound is particularly vivid and realistic.
John Barker - American Record Guide - November/December 2015
***** (Exceptional Disc)
Claudio Bolzan - Musica magazine (Italy) - September 2015
" McCreesh and his ensemble maintain an organic, dramatic pace from one number to the next without any sense of incongruity there is an unfailing vitality in the musicians’ rendition, sympathetically suited to the particular disposition on display. The singers follow suit. Gilliam Webster is bright and clear Laurence Kilsby sings charmingly and intelligently, whilst Ashley Riches provides gravitas in the bass numbers
Curtis Rogers - Classical Source.com - July 2015
Performance ***** Recording ****
The choral elements are scrupulously handled by the Gabrieli Consort, and the soloists are choice. Gillian Webster is the light, bright soprano, Laurence Kilsvy the delightful treble, tenor Jeremy Ovenden brings his words to life, while Peter Harvey provides a solid baritone and Ashley Riches a confident bass.
George Hall - BBC Music magazine - August 2015
Album of the Week
McCreesh’s direction is both alert and expressive, and his soloists are very fine. Gillian Webster shines in Penseroso’s famous nightingale aria
Hugh Canning - The Sunday Times (Culture magazine) - 31 May 2015
Editor’s Choice - Vocal Section
Handel lovers can hardly fail to enjoy the mingled finesse and hedonistic delights of this new record
Richard Wigmore - Gramophone magazine - June 2015
An extremely interesting and important issue The performance, as one would expect, is very fine. McCreesh is an experienced Handelian with a long and distinguished discography, and he soes not disappoint here. The soloists are good This shoud be an essential addition to any serious Handel collection.
Alastair Harper - Early Music Review 166 - June 2015
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