Handel - Samson | Linn CKD599

Handel - Samson

£33.20

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Label: Linn

Cat No: CKD599

Format: CD

Number of Discs: 3

Genre: Vocal/Choral

Release Date: 25th October 2019

Contents

Artists

Joshua Ellicott
Sophie Bevan
Matthew Brook
Mary Bevan
Hugo Hymas
Jess Dandy
Vitali Rozynko
Fflur Wyn
Dunedin Consort

Conductor

John Butt

Works

Handel, George Frideric

Samson, HWV57

Artists

Joshua Ellicott
Sophie Bevan
Matthew Brook
Mary Bevan
Hugo Hymas
Jess Dandy
Vitali Rozynko
Fflur Wyn
Dunedin Consort

Conductor

John Butt

About

Dunedin Consort’s pioneering recording presents a brand new performing version of one of Handel’s greatest dramatic works, Samson. For the first time listeners can enjoy an authentic Handelian chorus, comprising both solo sopranos and boy trebles – a sonority largely unheard in the modern age. The singers available to Handel for the work’s first set of performances in 1743 varied considerably, leading many researchers to speculate upon the composer’s own preferences. But new thinking by director John Butt has led to the evolution of this recording and to what he considers to be the definitive performance in line with Handel’s intentions.

This powerful oratorio – an opera in all but name – features Joshua Ellicott in the title role with soloists Sophie Bevan, Matthew Brook, Mary Bevan, Hugo Hymas, Jess Dandy, Vitali Rozynko and Fflur Wyn. Matching the revelatory historical practice begun in its award-winning recording of Messiah (Dublin Version, 1742), the soloists lead their sections to unite the solo and choral forces, creating a highly effective and cohesive sound. With rich orchestration and highlights such as ‘Let the bright seraphim’ and ‘Total eclipse’, Samson is Dunedin Consort’s most ambitious undertaking to date.

Dunedin Consort is one of the world’s leading Baroque ensembles, recognized for its vivid and insightful performances and recordings. Under the direction of John Butt, the ensemble has earned two coveted Gramophone Awards – for the 2007 recording of Handel’s Messiah and the 2014 recording of Mozart’s Requiem – and a Grammy nomination.

Dunedin Consort performs regularly at major festivals and venues across the UK, giving its BBC Proms debut in 2017. In the same year, Dunedin Consort announced its first residency at London’s Wigmore Hall, complementing its regular series of events at home in Scotland, as well as throughout Europe and beyond.

“… an exceptionally fine line-up of soloists, the instrumental ensemble playing period instruments and the bedrock of Dunedin, its chorus, responded to Butt’s life-affirming direction to bring the pathos of Samson’s despair alive.”
– The Scotsman

“With director John Butt’s gloriously lithe, supple reading of the work, however, there was never any doubt about the work’s vivid storytelling. Indeed, Butt’s pacing across
Samson’s broad architecture was a thing of no little wonder…” – The Telegraph

Reviews

While those who already own the Christophers recording need not rush to replace it, this new Samson now becomes the top recommendation: for its uniformly excellent soloists, its excitingly ‘present’ choral singing and, above all, its more urgent sense of theatre.  Richard Wigmore
Gramophone December 2019
John Butt’s handsomely cast new recording makes a persuasive case for this big-boned, baggy work. ... Brisk speeds and agile accompaniments make this performance fly by. Joshua Ellicott’s Samson is an appealingly sympathetic character, delivering an eloquent “Total eclipse” in Act 1, Sophie Bevan's Dalila equally charismatic.  Graham Rickson
The Arts Desk 16 November 2019
In this new recording, tenor Joshua Ellicott sings ... with a probing inwardness. Handel’s setting is treated less as an operatic portrayal, more the intimate heart of an evolving religious drama. ...  the performance is unfailingly wide-ranging in its response to this epic oratorio. ... Butt, as always, is an inspiring presence.
Financial Times 18 November 2019
John Butt has created the best Samson ever. He’s chosen the original 1743 version, star soloists with early-music chops and his band of top period instrumentalists. Above all, he’s beefed up the choir. ... This recording leaves in no doubt why Samson sealed Handel’s reputation for oratorio, and why he never looked back.  Berta Jonus (Recording of the Month)
BBC Music Magazine January 2020
Gramophone Editor's Choice

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