from Handel: The Choice of Hercules (CDA67298) 1 Sinfonia [1'18] 96 minutes 36 seconds 24 tracks2 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] ‘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) |