Some of the most delightful, devout and dramatic arias from the sacred and secular stage works of G.F. Handel, all selected for low voice soloist. Volume 3 features 15 songs selected from such established favouritesasSamson, Julius Caesar and Alexander's Feast. Each piece includes a full Piano accompaniment derived and reduced from the original orchestral material. Edited by Sergius Kagen.
1. Affanni Del Pensier (Ottone)
2. Alma Mia (Floridante)
3. Bacchus Ever Fair And Young (Alexander's Feast)
4. Con Rauco Mormorio (Rodelinda)
5. Dank sei dir, Herr
6. Del Minacciar Del Vento
7. Dove Sei, Amato Bene? (Rodelinda)
8. D'Un Sventurato Amante (Armadigi)
9. E Pur Cosi In Un Giorno (Julius Caesar)
10. Honor And Arms (Samson)
11. Nasce Al Bosco (Ezio)
12. Pena Tiranna Io Sento (Armadigi)
13. Piangero La Sorte Mia (Julius Caesar)
14. Return, Oh God Of Hosts! (Samson)
15. Thy Glorious Deeds Inspired My Tongue (Samson)
16. Tutta Raccolta Ancor (Scipione)
/ Partitions classique / Vocale - chorale / Voix solo - piano / IMC

The American composer and pianist Edward MacDowell (1860 1908) is rather unknown in Europe although he had his artistic roots there for he was trained as a pianist in Paris Stuttgart Wiesbaden and Frankfurt. After returning to his home country he worked as a teacher while also being the director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra for eight years. During his studies in Germany the musician already began to compose songs (with German texts) still in the European tradition. From 1886 he used English lyricism as a basis and preferred a sparing yet expressive accompaniment of the piano. In his last songs he placed special emphasis on the declamatory aspect of the text and expandedthe harmonic range of his tonal language. Of his 42 solo songs the present volume contains six titles from three of his song collections: Composed or printed for the first time between 1890 and 1898 these songs are a representative selection from MacDowell's important middle creative period and without doubt a valuable addition to the song repertoire.

Recorded in Prague with the Czech Symphony Orchestra. The CDs in these packs contain two versions of each selection: one with a singer and one with orchestra accompaniment only. All books in the series contain historical and plotnotes about each opera operetta or show and piano/vocal reductions of the music. The singers heard on these recordings are top professionals from Covent Garden English National Opera and other main stages.