Solo voices, choir, orchestra (2 Soprano Voice Solo, Mezzo Voice Solo, Tenor Voice Solo, Alto Voice Solo, Bass Voice Solo, Mixed choir:SSATB, Fl, 2 Ob, 2 bassoon, 2 Hn, 2 Trp, 3V, Va, Bassi(Vc, double bass, bassoon, harpisc., Org))

SKU: BA.BA04014

Oratorio in three acts. Composed by George Frideric Handel. Edited by Kenneth Nott. This edition: complete edition, urtext edition. Linen. Halle Handel Edition (HHA) Series I, Volume 30. Complete edition, Score. HWV 70. Baerenreiter Verlag #BA04014_00. Published by Baerenreiter Verlag (BA.BA04014).

ISBN 9790006442935. 33 x 26 cm inches. Text Language: English. Preface: Nott, Kenneth. Text: Thomas Morell.

“Jephtha” is Handel’s last oratorio. Handel had to break off from composing several times because of his increasing blindness in 1751. The first performance at the Covent Garden Theatre in February 1752 was the last performance he conducted before he went completely blind.
In “Jephtha”, Handel succeeded in achieving the perfect fusion between a biblical plot and the spirit of classical tragedy. With great intensity and dramatic expression he highlighted in particular the fates of Jephtha and Iphis , thereby portraying convincing and complex characters.

The chorus “How Dark, O Lord, are Thy Decrees” at the end of part two is of crucial importance in the work and is regarded as the dramatic high point of the oratorio.

The vocal score is based on volume I/30 of the “Halle Handel Edition” (BA 4014), which contains the complete critical version of the music of the oratorio for the first time.

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