Collecting unknown gems from Handel

[gprengel]

As we may know Beethoven considered Handel as the greatest composer. I would like to collect with you some of the hidden gems of that composer - works beyond of the wellknown Messiah, concerto grossi or fireworks/water music... How about this? Oratorios, noteworthy opera scenes or chamber music ...

I would like to start with maybe the longest chorus from Handel (and one of the greatest chorusses), the final chorus from I believe Handels first oratorio "Esther":

http://youtu.be/klR0HN3rrV8
It is awesome how this chorus builds up until an awesome climax in the end (from 9:00 ...).

Secondly here the very emotional final chorus from Theodora (some of his latest works) (starting at 7:11):
http://youtu.be/AAVrDbkmY1A

[Peter]

Thanks for those great choruses - here's the terrific duet 'as steals the morn upon the night' from L'allegro, il penseroso ed il moderato.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUQAG4r5nrM

[gprengel]

Thank you, Peter, this is neat. I never heard it before.

Here is one the most majestic and heavenly chorus endings of all time (from 2:10 ...) !!
http://youtu.be/HFUJX-WR5Qw Listen to it with full volume!!

And here a very emotional prayer from 'Samson':
http://youtu.be/rTiqdJYp2VI

[Preston]

Thanks for those great choruses - here's the terrific duet 'as steals the morn upon the night' from L'allegro, il penseroso ed il moderato.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUQAG4r5nrM

Interesting, some of the feelings from that Handel piece remind me much of Bach's cantata Sleeper's Awake. Interesting that they are both about waking from the dark also.