Handel: Ode for St Cecilias Day, G.F. Handel (composer) Palmer / Rolfe Johnson / Concuntus Musicus Wien. It is really remarkable how modern Harnoncourt's account of this celebratory work sounds even today, over thirty years after it's recording. The Concentus Musicus Wien was in the forefront of authentic Baroque performances with neat, sprung rhythms in the more propulsive sections and admirably poised dignity in the reflective passages. Individual instrumental lines emerge clearly and allow one to hear, in particular, Harnoncourt's own expressive cello obbligato accompaniment. Vibrato is minimal but the string tone never wheezes or groans. Dryden's text is enunciated with great precision and clarity by both the Swedish choir and the two superb soloists, Felicity Palmer and the late Anthony Rolfe Johnson.
1 Ode for St Cecilia's Day (Song for St Cecilia's Day) for Soloists, Chorus & Orchestra, HWV 76: Overture / Recitative. from Harmony, F
2 Ode for St Cecilia's Day (Song for St Cecilia's Day) for Soloists, Chorus & Orchestra, HWV 76: Chorus. from Harmony, from Heav'nly Ha
3 Ode for St Cecilia's Day (Song for St Cecilia's Day) for Soloists, Chorus & Orchestra, HWV 76: Aria. What Passion Cannot Music Raise
4 Ode for St Cecilia's Day (Song for St Cecilia's Day) for Soloists, Chorus & Orchestra, HWV 76: Solo and Chorus. the Trumpet's Loud CL
5 Ode for St Cecilia's Day (Song for St Cecilia's Day) for Soloists, Chorus & Orchestra, HWV 76: La Marche
6 Ode for St Cecilia's Day (Song for St Cecilia's Day) for Soloists, Chorus & Orchestra, HWV 76: Aria. the Soft Complaining Flute
7 Ode for St Cecilia's Day (Song for St Cecilia's Day) for Soloists, Chorus & Orchestra, HWV 76: Aria. Sharp Violins Proclaim
8 Ode for St Cecilia's Day (Song for St Cecilia's Day) for Soloists, Chorus & Orchestra, HWV 76: Aria. But Oh! What Art Can Teach
9 Ode for St Cecilia's Day (Song for St Cecilia's Day) for Soloists, Chorus & Orchestra, HWV 76: Aria. Orpheus Could Lead the Savage Ra
10 Ode for St Cecilia's Day (Song for St Cecilia's Day) for Soloists, Chorus & Orchestra, HWV 76: Accompagnato. But Bright Cecilia Rais'
11 Ode for St Cecilia's Day (Song for St Cecilia's Day) for Soloists, Chorus & Orchestra, HWV 76: Chorus. As from the Pow'r of Sacred la
Handel: Ode for St Cecilias Day, G.F. Handel (composer) Palmer / Rolfe Johnson / Concuntus Musicus Wien. It is really remarkable how modern Harnoncourt's account of this celebratory work sounds even today, over thirty years after it's recording. The Concentus Musicus Wien was in the forefront of authentic Baroque performances with neat, sprung rhythms in the more propulsive sections and admirably poised dignity in the reflective passages. Individual instrumental lines emerge clearly and allow one to hear, in particular, Harnoncourt's own expressive cello obbligato accompaniment. Vibrato is minimal but the string tone never wheezes or groans. Dryden's text is enunciated with great precision and clarity by both the Swedish choir and the two superb soloists, Felicity Palmer and the late Anthony Rolfe Johnson.
