Jephtha

James Gilchrist (Jephtha), Susan Bickley (Storge), Sophie Bevan (Iphis), Robin Blaze (Hamor), Matthew Brook (Zebul), Grace Davidson (Angel) & The Sixteen, Harry Christophers

Het tragische bijbelse verhaal van de Israëlitische bevelhebber Jefta oefende al vroeg aantrekkingskracht uit op de zetting vanwege het dramatische potentieel. Händels laatste oratorium Jephtha HWV 70 (The Triumph of Time and Truth HWV 71 hergebruikt voornamelijk oudere muziek) is een van zijn topwerken in dit genre.

Het koor neemt hier niet alleen de rol van het volk op zich, maar heeft ook een commentariërende en reflecterende functie, bijvoorbeeld in het aangrijpende How dark, o Lord are thy decrees aan het einde van akte II.

Harry Christophers en The Sixteen drukken al jaren hun stempel op de oratoria van de meester en voegen opnieuw een hoogtepunt toe aan hun uitstekende Händel-discografie.

Handel:
 Jephtha HWV 70

"Gilchrist conveys affable nonchalance in the early stages...and aptly characterises Jephtha's deepening emotional responses to the unfolding tragedy...Bevan's Iphis is endearingly naive in 'Tune the soft melodious lute'...whereas her modest resignation to a tragic doom is profoundly moving...The orchestra play excellently."
Gramophone Magazine - September 2014

"Iphis is sung here by the radiant British star soprano Sophie Bevan in her most important recording to date...This is an unforgettable performance which all Handelians will want to hear...In sum, Christophers's considered view of Handel, devoid of extremes and eccentricities, and the work of his outstanding choir and orchestra make this a solid recommendation for anyone contemplating Jephtha for the first time."
International Record Review - December 2014

"Two hours of deeply profound music, beautifully performed here by Harry Christophers and his stellar cast of soloists. Sophie Bevan is dazzling as the daughter, Iphis...and James Gilchrist is simply sensational as the anguished Jephtha, breaking our hearts with Waft her, angels, through the sky."
The Observer - 21st September 2014 *****

"Christophers's taut, vibrant, and beautifully sprung account is bright and dazzling, yet so often the score ought to inhabit the tortured light and shade of Caravaggio...the choruses are finely chiselled; but the sheer polish and manicure sometimes works against the visceral immediacy of any underlying 'sore distress'...The star of the set is Sophie Bevan's Iphis."
BBC Music Magazine January 2015 ****

"The choral singing is exemplary, technically perfect (particularly in Handel’s coloratura runs) and with a real sense of engagement in the unfolding drama. The solo contributions are equally accomplished, none more so than James Gilchrist."
Choir & Organ