Handel: Complete Italian Cantatas For Bass / Raimund Nolte, Batzdorfer Hofkapelle, Composer: George Frideric Handel, Performer: Raimund Nolte, Orchestra/Ensemble: Batzdorfer Hofkapelle, Number of Discs: 1. In their recording of the complete Italian cantatas for bass solo by George Frideric Handel, the bass-baritone Raimund Nolte and the Batzdorfer Hofkapelle have tackled a repertoire which makes extensive demands on the singer. The two cantatas Nell'africane selve HWV 136a and Cuopre tal volta il cielo HWV 98, probably composed for the bass Antonio Manna in Naples in the summer of 1708, belong to the most spectacular works Handel ever wrote with their exorbitant vocal range, breathtaking leaps and bizarre changes of register. As Karl BÃ¶hmer illustrates in his informative booklet text, these two cantatas are deeply embedded in the tradition of the Italian "contra basso" singing style mastered only by a few exceptional singers who were able to combine an extremely low register with a sinuous baritone register. The other two cantatas included on this recording, Dalla guerra amorosa HWV 102a (already a 'hit' during Handel's lifetime) and Spande ancor a mio dispetto HWV 165 are somewhat more moderate in their technical demands. These two works also focus on the description of natural phenomena and the metaphor of the war of love for the emotional state of mind expressed by the protagonist.

Tracklist:

Cuopre Tal Volta IL Cielo, Hwv 98: Accompagnato: Cuopre Talvolta IL Cielo
Cuopre Tal Volta IL Cielo, Hwv 98: Aria: Tuona, Balena
Cuopre Tal Volta IL Cielo, Hwv 98: Recitative: Cosi Fiera Procella
Cuopre Tal Volta IL Cielo, Hwv 98: Aria: Per Pieta De' Miei Martiri
Dalla Guerra Amorosa, Hwv 102a: Recitative: Dalla Guerra Amorosa
Dalla Guerra Amorosa, Hwv 102a: Aria: Non V'alletti Un Occhio Nero
Dalla Guerra Amorosa, Hwv 102a: Recitative: Fuggite, Si Fuggite!
Dalla Guerra Amorosa, Hwv 102a: Aria: La Bellezza E Com'un Fiore
Dalla Guerra Amorosa, Hwv 102a: Finale: Fugette … A Chi Servo D'amor
Oboe Sonata (Concerto) In G Minor, Hwv 404: I. Andante
Oboe Sonata (Concerto) In G Minor, Hwv 404: II. Allegro
Oboe Sonata (Concerto) In G Minor, Hwv 404: III. Adagio
Oboe Sonata (Concerto) In G Minor, Hwv 404: IV. Allegro
Da Quel Giorno Fatale, Hwv 99, "IL Delirio Amoroso": Da Quel Giorno Fatale, Hwv 99, "IL Delirio Amoroso": So
Nell' Africane Selve, Hwv 136a: Recitativo: Nell' Africane Selve
Nell' Africane Selve, Hwv 136a: Aria: Langue, Trema
Nell' Africane Selve, Hwv 136a: Recitativo: Nice, La Fra Confini DI Valli Incolte
Nell' Africane Selve, Hwv 136a: Aria: Chiedo Amore, Altro Non Brama
Trio Sonata In G Minor, Op. 2, No. 5, Hwv 390a: I. Larghetto
Trio Sonata In G Minor, Op. 2, No. 5, Hwv 390a: II. Allegro
Trio Sonata In G Minor, Op. 2, No. 5, Hwv 390a: III. Adagio
Trio Sonata In G Minor, Op. 2, No. 5, Hwv 390a: IV. Allegro
Spande Ancor A Mio Dispetto, Hwv 165: Aria: Spande Ancor A Mio Dispetto
Spande Ancor A Mio Dispetto, Hwv 165: Accompanied Recitative: Oh! Che De Fiere Pene
Spande Ancor A Mio Dispetto, Hwv 165: Aria: Da Balza In Balza

UPC: 4015023242494
Label: Accent Records
Release Date: 2.28.12
Format: CD

Raimund Nolte - Complete Italian Cantatas for Bass (CD)