Composed in 1740, L'Allegro, il Penseroso, ed il Moderato is Handel's setting of poetry by John Milton, with additional verses (in the third part of three) by Charles Jennens. This oratorio is a kind of moderated dialogue between two personalities - the merry and carefree, and the thoughtful and ruminative. Jennens added "il Moderato" - the moderate man who balances the other two types. It seems not to have been Handel's intention to instruct listeners as to the most favorable type. Instead, he must have been most attracted by Milton's poetry, and by the opportunity to compose the sort of pastoral entertainment which he had found so congenial in earlier compositions. Sometimes the third part, entirely set to verses by Jennens, is dropped. This was the case even in Handel's time; it was felt that Jennens could not hold a candle to Milton. Some of the work's first recordings (for example, a 1960 version conducted by Sir David Willcocks) do the same, and also rearrange the remaining movements. This new version is given complete, however.

Tracklist:

A Tempo Giusto/Allegro/Adagio
Hence, Loathed Meloncholy
Henc, Vain Deluding Joys
Come, Thou Goddess Fair And Free
Come Rather, Goddes, Sage And Holy
Haste Thee, Nymph
Come And Trip It
Come, Pensive Nun
Come, But Keep Thy Wonted State
There, Held In Holy Passion Still/Join With Thee
Hence, Loathed Melancholy
Mirth, Admit Me Of Thy Crew
First And Chief, On Golden Wing
Sweet Bird
If I Give Thee Hounour Due
Mirth, Admit Me Of Thy Crew
Oft, On A Plat Of Rising Ground
Far From All Resort Of Mirth
If I Give Thee Honour Due
Let Me Wander Not Unseen
Straight Mine Eye
Mountains, On Whose Barren Breast
Or Let The Merry Bells Ring Around/And Young And Old Come Forth
Larghetto/Polonaise
Hence, Vain Deluding Joys
Sometimes Let Gorgeous Tragedy
But Oh, Sad Virgin
Thus, Night, Oft See Me
Populous Cities Please Me then
There Let Hymen Oft Appear
Me, When The Sun Begins To Fling
Hide Me From Day's Garish Eye
I'll To The Well-Trod Stage Anon
And Ever Against Eating Cares
Orpheus Self May Have His Head
These Delights If Thou Canst Give
But Let My Due Feet Never Fail
There Let The Pealing Organ Blow
May At Last My Weary Age
These Pleasures, Meloncholy, Give
Largetto/Fuga
Hence! Boast Not, Ye Profane
Come, With Native Lustre Shine
Sweet Temp'Rance/Allthis Company
Come, With Gentle Hand Restrain
No More Short Life They Then Will Spend In Straying
Each Action Will Derive New Grace
As Steals The Morn Upon The Night
Thy Pleasures, Moderation, Give

UPC: 747313205721
Label: Naxos
Release Date: 5.17.05
Format: CD

Joachim Carlos Martini - L'allegro Il Penseroso Ed Il Moderato (2 CD)