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George Frideric Handel
(Germany/England, 1685–1759)

Handel's first oratorios were written in Italy and, like the operas of the time, consisted mainly of arias linked by recitative. The only 'choruses' were short ensembles sung by the solo singers. Later, in England, Handel created the new form of English oratorio, characterised by the presence of substantial choral numbers but in which the solo arias were still important ingredients.

CHAN 0685

Handel did not publish his oratorios in full score, but his regular London publisher, John Walsh, generally issued a selection of 'Songs' from each work. This would usually include the arias and duets and other solo ensembles as well as the overture and other orchestral items (the same practice was followed for the operas). In addition Walsh issued instrumental parts for the same or similar selections, so that musical families or societies with appropriate resources could perform the pieces in their proper orchestral form.

One set of partbooks, issued by Walsh in 1736, contained a group of operatic arias 'made Concertos for Violins, &c.', the 'Song Part' or vocal line being printed in a form suitable for playing on an instrument. (Handel's leading oboist, Jean Christian Kytch, specialised in such instrumental performances of arias.) The same manner of performance was also allowed for in the printed partbooks of Handel's Songs selected from His Latest Oratorios… in Six Parts… The Song Part with the Words, for a Voice, Hoboy[oboe] or German Flute, a long-running series of extracts from the oratorios begun by Walsh in 1748. This publication is the main source for the music on the present disc.