Handel: Theodora (Complete Oratorio) – Several Soloists – Junge Kantorei – Frankfurt Baroque Orchestra – Joachim Carlos Martini (Cond.) – NAXOS 8.572700-02 (172 mins)
Although born in Germany, George Frederic Handel (1685–1759) can be regarded as an English composer after he left his native country and settled for good in the English capital in 1710.
For the next 30 years Handel was the most successful opera composer in the land, but by 1740 this genre of entertainment started to fall out of grace.
For the last 20 years of his life, the composer turned to a new style, the Oratorio. Many of his 19 such compositions are still performed regularly, with The Messiah at the very top of the list, but the work under review cannot be considered as one of the public’s favourites, despite its sublime melodies and noble subject.
Handel wrote the work at lightning speed.
Indeed, the composition was completed in just four weeks (June 28 to July 31, 1749), but despite its many inspiring numbers, the premiere of Theodora on March 18 of 1750 was a lukewarm affair.
Subsequent performances were few and far between, and Handel kept revising the score till the year of his death in 1759, in an attempt to make it more viable for the public’s taste.
The story is set in fourth-century Syria, which was then under Roman domin-ation, and the gist of the narrative is the clash between the pagan and Christian cultures of the time.
The story places Theodora, a virtuous woman, at the very centre of the drama.
As the story unfolds, the heroine finds herself sucked into a vortex of intrigue, betrayal and religious persecution.
The saga culminates with her martyrdom and that of her lover Didymus, the only one who truly shares her faith in Christ.
Joachim Carlos Martini and his orchestra are passionate advocates of the piece, and performances have a spirited commitment that brings out all of Handel’s musical invention with pristine transparency.
Highly recommended, especially to those who wish to delve into one of Handel’s least performed oratori.
Bloch: Missa Cantate – Sancta Maria – Cold Song – Christ Hall Blues & Postlude – Several Soloists – Paderewski Philharmonic Orchestra – Fernand Quattrocchi (Cond.) – NAXOS 8.572489 (66 mins)
Thomas Bloch, one of today’s leading French composers, was born in 1962. He started to write music at a very early age, and soon he developed a keen interest in contemporary composers such as Penderecki, Xenakis and Boulez.
Later on he became fascinated by such famous names as Ravel, Debussy, Prokofiev and Rachmaninov. By 17, apart from continuing to explore contemporary traits, he managed to assimilate a love for both classical and rock music. At the end of his studies at the Paris Conservatoire, Bloch launched his performing career as a specialist in rare instruments such as the Oudes Martenot, Glass Harmonica and Cristal Baschet. Today he is a much-sought-after composer and performer in many different fields.
Bloch’s compositional style developed as he gained experience as a performer of both art and popular music and, as he came more into contact with audiences the world over, the more he became aware that audit-ory pleasure leaves a stronger impact than theoretical and conceptual sounds.
Sound and annotations are highly acceptable,if not first-rate
The works on this CD were written between 1990 and 2009, and the collation is a mixed bag indeed. The most substantial piece is the Missa Cantate for male soprano and orchestra, which at 45 minutes is the highlight of the programme. Somewhat unconventional yet warm and poignant, this Mass moves from Mozart to Cage, but the composer manages to strike an emotional chord that can appeal to most listeners.
The other items are short in duration, but the rare instruments employed in these pieces make them fascinating examples of Bloch’s imaginative, yet somewhat abstract, style. A welcome issue for those who like to experiment in the contemporary. Sound and annotations are highly acceptable, if not first-rate.
These CDs were made available for review by D’Amato Record Shop of St John Street, Valletta.