Search - George Frideric Handel, Max Pommer, Arleen Auger :: Handel - The Choice of Hercules / Augér, Zaepffel, Hruba-Freiberger, Pommer

Not THAT minor or old....

John Gray Hunter Jr. | Wilmington, NC USA | 08/30/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"It must be remembered that even a "minor cantata" by Handle is well worth the listening. This "old" recording was done in 1984, around the time of the 300 year Bach/Handel birthday bash when many obscure and forgotten works were performed and recorded....thank goodness!
The only real problem I have with this performance is diction. English does not appear to be these singers 1st tongue. And the counter tenor is not the best I've heard. Still, what other recordings of this complete work are available?
There are many beauties here: The series of arias with concluding chorus "Come, blooming boy"/"There is the brisk sparkling nectar drain" [a great aria!]/ "While for thy arms that beauty glows" is wonderful; The trio "where do I go" and the final chorus are most worthwhile.
The aria for Virtue where she insists Hercules will "listen to my awful voice" is fine despite the fact "awful" doesn't mean "full of awe" anymore.
This is not a work to be avoided."