
Originally Posted by
Jephtha
May I say, SF, that while I am happy that you've decided to acquaint yourself with Handel's greatest oratorio, the Harnoncourt set really does put this one in the shade. Gardiner's singers sing more beautifully, and his orchestra is excellent, but the other set shows you what a masterpiece this is. Harnoncourt brings out the drama like no one else, and he produces phrasings and colors with his instrumentalists that will raise the hair on your head. In my review on Amazon UK I called it a baroque Wozzeck, and that is just how Harnoncourt plays it. You owe it to yourself to hear that recording; it will spoil you for any other version. With Gardiner, Jephtha is a relaxing three hours of beautiful music; with Harnoncourt, it is a cathartic experience akin to watching King Lear.
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