This recording of Alexander Balus completes The King's
Consort's series of Handel's four 'military' oratorios
(the other three being Judas Maccabaeus, The Occasional
Oratorio, and Joshua). Musically, Handel is at his very
best in this piece. Much of the composition occurred
simultaneously with that for Joshua and there is, typically,
a small amount of material recycled from earlier works.
Recorded on April 11-19 1997
Playing time : 155'52" [2 CDs] DDD
Reviews
"A winner: one of those experiences where
you know almost from the first chord that an enjoyable and
rewarding evening lies ahead of you. The cast is on top form."
Early Music
"A very well sung and very welcome appearance
of one of Handel's most rarely performed works. [Handel and]
Lynne Dawson as Cleopatra reach their heights. For her
interpretation alone the recording is worth buying."
Classic CD
"King and his musicians approach the piece
with vitality and affection and, in so doing, carried me along
from start to finish."
BBC Music Magazine
"All Handelians will want this set."
Gramophone
