The Choice of Hercules, HWV69 (Handel)
from Handel: The Choice of Hercules (CDA67298)
1 Sinfonia [1'18]
2 See Hercules! how smiles yon myrtle plain (Pleasure) [2'42]
3 Come, blooming boy (Pleasure) [2'19]
4 There the brisk sparkling nectar drain (Pleasure) [2'36]
5 While for thy arms that beauty glows (Pleasure) [2'36]
6 Away, mistaken wretch, away! (Virtue) [0'30]
7 This manly youth's exalted mind (Virtue) [5'31]
8 Rise, youth! exalt thyself and me! (Virtue) [0'17]
9 Go, assert thy heav'nly race (Virtue) [2'52]
10 In peace, in war (Virtue) [0'18]
11 So shalt thou gain immortal praise (Virtue) [1'46]
12 Hearst thou, what dangers then thou must engage? (Pleasure) [0'27]
13 Turn thee, youth, to joy and love (Pleasure) [2'32]
14 Short is my way, fair, easy, smooth and plain (Pleasure/Hercules) [0'39]
15 Yet, can I hear that dulcet lay (Hercules) [4'18]
16 Enjoy the sweet Elysian grove (Attendant on Pleasure) [2'18]
17 Oh! whither, reason, dost thou fly? (Hercules) [0'15]
18 Where shall I go? (Hercules/Pleasure/Virtue) [1'47]
19 Mount, mount the steep ascent (Virtue) [0'40]
20 Mount, mount the steep ascent (Virtue) [1'02]
21 Arise! mount the steep ascent [2'08]
22 The sounds breathe fire celestial (Hercules) [0'15]
23 Lead, goddess, lead the way! (Hercules) [4'49]
24 Virtue will place thee in that blest abode [4'23]
96 minutes 36 seconds 24 tracks
The Choice of Hercules is one of Handel's best-kept secrets … Robert King and his expert team evidently relish the work’s hedonistic charms’ (The Daily Telegraph)
‘Robert King is a fine Handelian, in that he uses the best players and some of the more characterful singers around … some very fine singing’ (Early Music Review)
‘Fine notes and full texts complete yet another example of King’s superlative recording activities – a must for Handelians’ (American Record Guide)