The passage of time has perhaps been unkind to the English composer Maurice Greene. By 1730 he was one of the most senior musicians in England: Organist at St Paul's Cathedral, Organist and Composer to the Chapel Royal, and Professor of Music at the University of Cambridge. When he was appointed Master of the King's Music, in 1735, he held every significant appointment in the Kingdom. Of course, the overwhelming presence of Handel in London at the time most certainly played a significant part in Greene's relative obscurity. His second attempt at oratorio, Jephtha, in 1737, marks the first successful foray by an Englishman in this genre. Brimming with attractively varied airs and choruses, powerfully emotive accompanied recitatives, and spirited orchestral movements, it is an engaging work. Taken from the Book of Judges, chapter 11, the account of Jephtha tells the story of a fearless Israelite warrior recalled from exile to fight for his people, a man not only of great valour but, as it transpires - thanks to an impulsive and fateful pledge - of profound honour, too, destined to assume his place as their worthy ruler. Christian Curnyn directs his Early Opera Company forces with a dazzling cast of soloists: Andrew Staples takes the part of Jephtha, joined by Mary Bevan, Michael Mofidian, and Jeremy Budd.

Tracklist:

Jephtha~
Ouverture. Grave - Allegro
Jephtha~Part I. Scene I.
Chorus: Ye Sons of Gilead, seek the Lord. Largo
Jephtha~Part I. Scene I.
Recitative: Jair, great Judge of Israel, is no more
Jephtha~Part I. Scene II.
Accompanied Recitative: O mighty Leader, see, beneath thy Feet. Largo - Presto - Largo
Jephtha~Part I. Scene II.
Air: Where are your Gods, your Idol-Train. [Vivace]
Jephtha~Part I. Scene II.
Recitative: Shameful Remembrance! with repentant Tears
Jephtha~Part I. Scene II.
Duet: O think what Joy to him is giv'n. Vivace
Jephtha~Part I. Scene II.
Recitative: Ill doth my native Land such Grace deserve
Jephtha~Part I. Scene II.
Air: Against these new Alarms. Vivace e Piano
Jephtha~Part I. Scene II. 1
Recitative: Hence, shameless Men! Compassion would be Guilt
Jephtha~Part I. Scene II. 1
Air: Pity soothing melts the Soul. Affettuoso e Piano
Jephtha~Part I. Scene II. 1
Recitative: Cherish that Pity, 'tis a Godlike Guest
Jephtha~Part I. Scene II. 1
Chorus: Our Prayers with God Acceptance find. [Alla breve]
Jephtha~Part I. Scene II. 1
Recitative: Thought I your vow'd Repentance were sincere
Jephtha~Part I. Scene II. 1
Chorus: Thou, universal Lord. Allegro
Jephtha~Part I. Scene II. 1
Recitative: No more, with Joy I undertake your Cause
Jephtha~Part I. Scene II. 1
Air: God of Hosts, whom we adore. Allegro
Jephtha~Part I. Scene II. 1
Accompanied Recitative: There, what first shall meet my Eye. Largo e Staccato e Piano
Jephtha~Part I. Scene II. 1
Chorus: God of Hosts, whom we adore. Allegro - Adagio - Allegro
Jephtha~Part II. Scene I. 2
[Symphony.] [Maestoso]
Jephtha~Part II. Scene I. 2
Grand Chorus: The Foes of Gilead are no more. Allegro
Jephtha~Part II. Scene I. 2
Air: O God, we own Thy mighty Hand. Vivace
Jephtha~Part II. Scene I. 2
Chorus: Be all the Fame. Tempo Ordinario
Jephtha~Part II. Scene I. 2
Air, Duet and Chorus: Awake, awake each joyful Strain. [Andante]
Jephtha~Part II. Scene II. 2
Accompanied Recitative. What do I see, O Heav'n?. Presto - Adagio -
Jephtha~Part II. Scene II. 2
Air: Ah! my foreboding Fears. Andante Vivace - Andante e Piano
Jephtha~Part II. Scene II. 2
Recitative: O Heav'n! with Pity view a Father's Fondness -
Jephtha~Part II. Scene II. 2
Air: Thou sweetest Joy by Heav'n bestow'd. Affettuoso e Piano
Jephtha~Part II. Scene II. 2
Recitative: O speak, disclose my Doom, I stand prepar'd
Jephtha~Part II. Scene II. 3
Air: If I thy Grief. Largo Andante
Jephtha~Part II. Scene II. 3
Recitative: O blot me from thy Mind
Jephtha~Part II. Scene II. 3
Air: O Thou most Dear. Moderato
Jephtha~Part II. Scene II. 3
Accompanied Recitative: I vow'd, before I fought the War. Andante e Piano - Adagio - Andante - Andante
Jephtha~Part II. Scene II. 3
Chorus: O God of Might! what Means this Stroke?. Vivace
Jephtha~Part II. Scene II. 3
Air: But oh! behold the princely Pair. Largo e Staccato
Jephtha~Part II. Scene II. 3
Chorus: But see! the dreadful Conflict's o'er. Allegro
Jephtha~Part II. Scene II. 3
Accompanied recitative: Can Heav'n delight in Guiltless Blood?. [ ] - Presto - [ ] -
Jephtha~Part II. Scene II. 3
Air: Let me awhile defer my Fate. Largo e Piano
Jephtha~Part II. Scene II. 3
Accompanied Recitative: Go, and with humble Tears, and ceaseless Prayers. [ ] - Andante - Presto - Largo e Piano -
Jephtha~Part II. Scene II. 4
Duet and Chorus: Here let me hold Thee to my Heart. Largo Andante
Jephtha~Part II. Scene II. 4
Grand Chorus: Israel Daughters, a fair Virgin Train. Vivace

UPC: 0095115040829
Label: Chandos
Release Date: 4.18.25
Format: CD

Greene / Early Opera Company - Jephtha (CD)