SKU: BA.BA04025-01

ISBN 9790006443222. 33 x 26 cm inches. Text Language: English.

Handelâ??s â??Semeleâ?, which premiered in February 1744, is based on an adapted version of William Congreveâ??s opera libretto titled â??The Story of Semeleâ?, originally published in 1706. However, neither Handel nor his librettist referred to â??Semeleâ? as an opera or an oratorio, which, according to the understanding at the time, would have required a biblical and/or Christian subject matter. Contemporary audiences also disagreed on the genre. The problematic classification as an oratorio has persisted into the present day, likely due to the edition labeled as such by Chrysander. The â??Halle Handel Editionâ? (HHA) distances itself from this classification and, considering the available sources, refrains from assigning a genre label.

Congreve deviates from the mythological source multiple times in order to create tensions among the characters. The desired marriage between Semele and Athamas, whom she does not love, is an addition by Congreve to provoke the envy of her sister Ino, who desires Athamas herself. Therefore, Ino sees her own advantage in Semeleâ??s abduction by Jupiter. While Jupiterâ??s wife Juno decides to destroy Semele out of jealousy for his relationship with her, Jupiter brings Ino to his palace to console Semele. The vengeful Juno takes advantage of Inoâ??s presence and transforms into her likeness, persuading Semele to carry out a plan that later proves fatal. In the end, Ino emerges as the winner, as she is able to convince their father, Cadmus, to marry her to Athamas. The appearance of Apollo in the final scene to announce that Semeleâ??s immortal son Bacchus was saved from her ashes provides little consolation. However, this twist allows the drama to conclude with exuberant joy and a magnificent final chorus after the tragic scenes in the third act, culminating in the death of the protagonist.

Handelâ??s autograph score shows significant deviations from and numerous revisions of the original version premiered. All surviving early versions, the musical movements deleted before the premiere, and the version of the December 1744, are given in the appendix to the HHA.

SKU: CA.5505694

Text language: English. Text: Jennens, Charles.

George Frideric Handel is considered England's first and foremost composer of oratorios. Above all, the Messiah is regarded as the epitome of sacred music and in German-speaking countries it is also one of the most often performed works in the genre. The version of the Messiah which is most often performed today is a combination of various versions. Consequently, the present critical edition by Ton Koopman contains all the surviving alternative versions of the solo movements. A concordance makes it possible to assign these movements to those various performances of the work conducted by Handel between the Dublin premiere in 1742 and the London concerts which took place up to 1759. In accordance with the wishes voiced by many choral conductors and singers, the vocal score is available in separate English and German versions. Score available separately - see item CA.5505600.

SKU: CA.2380193

Text language: German. Text: Schiller, Friedrich.

It's about 200 years since Beethoven scribbled down a theme in D minor in his sketch book, which he later used, slightly altered, in the 2nd movement of his 9th Symphony. Beethoven had thought of setting Schiller's Ode to Joy much earlier. As early as 1803 Ferdinand Ries mentioned a complete setting of the text by Beethoven which no longer survives. The vocal score of the finale of the 9th Symphony is based on the vocal score made by Carl Reinecke around the end of the 19th century. The version by Reinecke, popular worldwide, closely reflects the sound of the orchestral writing, yet at the same time is remains playable. Stefan Schuck has revised this historic vocal score, in the process taking into account recent research findings. The new Carus vocal score contains rehearsal letters from all current versions of the orchestral material, and is thus compatible with all available music editions. In the presentation of this edition, particular attention has been paid to the practical needs of (choral) singers and repetiteurs.

SKU: CA.2380191

Text language: German. Text: Schiller, Friedrich.

It's about 200 years since Beethoven scribbled down a theme in D minor in his sketch book, which he later used, slightly altered, in the 2nd movement of his 9th Symphony. Beethoven had thought of setting Schiller's Ode to Joy much earlier. As early as 1803 Ferdinand Ries mentioned a complete setting of the text by Beethoven which no longer survives. The vocal score of the finale of the 9th Symphony is based on the vocal score made by Carl Reinecke around the end of the 19th century. The version by Reinecke, popular worldwide, closely reflects the sound of the orchestral writing, yet at the same time is remains playable. Stefan Schuck has revised this historic vocal score, in the process taking into account recent research findings. The new Carus vocal score contains rehearsal letters from all current versions of the orchestral material, and is thus compatible with all available music editions. In the presentation of this edition, particular attention has been paid to the practical needs of (choral) singers and repetiteurs.

SKU: CA.3119511

ISBN 9790007210380. Text language: German/English.

The Hochzeitskantate (Wedding Cantata) BWV 195 was performed by Bach from around 1730 at various wedding celebrations in different forms, and was evidently also lent out for performances further afield. The only surviving version of the work dates from the last years of Bach's life. The opulently-scored first part begins and ends with grand choral movements, and Bach scored both parts for soloists and for chorus. At the centre of the cantata is an exceptionally sensitive bass aria, probably one of Bach's most modern vocal compositions of all. A chorale movement (Nun danket all and bringet Ehr/ Now thank we all and offer praise) with obbligato horns concludes the cantata as the second part after the consummation. Score and part available separately - see item CA.3119500.

SKU: CA.3910911

ISBN 9790007215439. Language: German/English.

Telemann's cantata Now thank we all our God cannot be assigned to any of the composer's known annual cycles of cantatas. The given designation, Tempore Messis, which appears in the title in the sole surviving source, suggests it was composed on the occasion of a harvest thanksgiving festival, but the general nature of the text means that other occasions for performance such as New Year, Reformation Day, church or organ consecrations and weddings are conceivable. Musically, the work is distinguished by two spirited choral movements reinforced by trumpets which frame a duet for tenor and bass and an aria for alto and transverse flute. Score and part available separately - see item CA.3910900.

SKU: CA.3119513

ISBN 9790007210403. Text language: German/English.

The Hochzeitskantate (Wedding Cantata) BWV 195 was performed by Bach from around 1730 at various wedding celebrations in different forms, and was evidently also lent out for performances further afield. The only surviving version of the work dates from the last years of Bach's life. The opulently-scored first part begins and ends with grand choral movements, and Bach scored both parts for soloists and for chorus. At the centre of the cantata is an exceptionally sensitive bass aria, probably one of Bach's most modern vocal compositions of all. A chorale movement (Nun danket all and bringet Ehr/ Now thank we all and offer praise) with obbligato horns concludes the cantata as the second part after the consummation. Score and part available separately - see item CA.3119500.

SKU: CA.3910919

ISBN 9790007139278. Language: German/English.

Telemann's cantata Now thank we all our God cannot be assigned to any of the composer's known annual cycles of cantatas. The given designation, Tempore Messis, which appears in the title in the sole surviving source, suggests it was composed on the occasion of a harvest thanksgiving festival, but the general nature of the text means that other occasions for performance such as New Year, Reformation Day, church or organ consecrations and weddings are conceivable. Musically, the work is distinguished by two spirited choral movements reinforced by trumpets which frame a duet for tenor and bass and an aria for alto and transverse flute. Score and parts available separately - see item CA.3910900.

SKU: CA.3119514

ISBN 9790007210410. Text language: German/English.

The Hochzeitskantate (Wedding Cantata) BWV 195 was performed by Bach from around 1730 at various wedding celebrations in different forms, and was evidently also lent out for performances further afield. The only surviving version of the work dates from the last years of Bach's life. The opulently-scored first part begins and ends with grand choral movements, and Bach scored both parts for soloists and for chorus. At the centre of the cantata is an exceptionally sensitive bass aria, probably one of Bach's most modern vocal compositions of all. A chorale movement (Nun danket all and bringet Ehr/ Now thank we all and offer praise) with obbligato horns concludes the cantata as the second part after the consummation. Score and part available separately - see item CA.3119500.