德国作曲家韩德尔(1685-1759)大约在二十五岁的时候移居英国,后来就以伦敦为中心,从事各项音乐活动,他所写的神剧-〔弥赛亚〕(救世主)是音乐史上的一个旷世巨作.它的结构分别由三个部份组成;第一部-有关基督降临的寓言与实现,第二部-基督的受难与牺牲,第三部-基督的复活与永恆的生命,它的故事就是在描写耶稣一生的故事.1741年,都柏林的慈善音乐团体委託韩德尔谱写新作.韩德尔被这个由好友贾尔兹.杰能士撰写的剧本所感动,奋力急书,在短短三个礼拜即完成谱曲的工作,隔年1742年在都柏林首演.
至今,〔弥赛亚〕是韩德尔最受大众数迎的作品,全曲演出大约需时二个半小时.而〔合唱〕(Chorus)是弥赛亚裡的重头戏.曾有人说过这些每隔一些时候就出现的壮丽合唱,形成了〔弥赛亚〕的核,的柱,的背骨.这张专辑挑选了18首合唱曲,几乎是剧中最重要的合唱曲.值得一提的是,1943年这齣神剧移师伦敦首演的那一场,乔治二世亲临聆赏.当进行到合唱唱出〔哈利路亚〕时,乔治二世感动得起立恭听,所有的 民因而也都从座位站起来.相沿至今,一个不成文规定,每当音乐会唱到〔哈利路亚〕时,听众就都会自动站起来了.现在,当你在听Hallelujah!的时候是不是也会感动得起立呢?
01. Sinfonia / Grave. Allegro Moderato [3:01]
02. Comfort ye / Arisos, tenor [2:53]
03. Every valley / Air, tenor [3:50]
04. And the glory of the Lord / Chorus [2:56]
05. Thus saith the Lord / Recitative, bass [1:28]
06. But who may abide / Air, countertenor [4:31]
07. And He shall purify / Chours [2:53]
08. Behold, a virgin / Recitative, countertenor [0:30]
09. O thou that tellest / Air, countertenor & chorus [5:44]
10. For, behold / Recitative, bass [1:41]
11. The people that walked / Air, bass [3:30]
12. For unto us a Child is born / Chorus [4:38]
13. Pifa / Pifa [2:43]
14. There were shepherds abiding / Recitative, soprano [1:33]
15. Glory to God / Chorus [2:28]
16. Rejoice greatly / Air, soprano [4:36]
17. Then shall the eyes / Recitative, countertenor [0:30]
18. He shall feed His flock / Duet, alto & soprano [5:27]
19. His yoke is easy / Chorus [2:46]
20. Behold the Lamb of God / Chours [2:19]
21. He was despised / Air, countertenor [11:00]
CD2曲目:
01. Surely, He bath bome / Chorus [1:51]
02. And with His stripes / Chorus [2:18]
03. All we like sheep / Chorus [4:15]
04. All they that see Him / Rectitative, tenor [0:43]
05. He trusted in God / Chorus [2:21]
06. They rebuke bath broken His heart / Rectitative, soprano [2:15]
07. Behold, and see / Arioso, soprano [1:23]
08. He was cut out / Rectitative, tenor [0:24]
09. But Thou didst not leave / Air, tenor [2:33]
10. Lift up your heads / Chorus [3:16]
11. Unto which of the angles said / Recitative, tenor [0:18]
12. Let all the angels / Chorus [1:33]
13. Thou art gone / Air, countertenor [3:08]
14. The Lord gave the word / Chorus [1:20]
15. How beautiful / Air, soprano [2:22]
16. Why do the nations / Air, bass [1:22]
17. Let us break their bonds / Chorus [1:51]
18. He that dwelleth / Recitative, tenor [0:17]
19. Thou shalt break them / Air, tenor [2:04]
20. Hallelujah / Chorus [4:05]
21. I know that my Redeemer liveth / Air, soprano [6:11]
22. Since by man came death / Chorus [1:51]
23. Behold, I tell you a mystery / Recitative, bass [0:36]
24. The trumpet shall sound / Air, bass [4:18]
25. Then shall be brought / Recitative, countertenor [0:21]
26. Worthy is the Lamb / Chorus [3:21]
27. Amen / Amen [3:56]