When it comes to extravagant colors, extraordinary drama, integrated harmonies, and inexorable tragedy, it's hard to beat Handel's 1739 oratorio Saul. Upon the sturdy architecture of Charles Jennens' libretto based on the First Book of Samuel, Handel built a mighty three-act edifice of astonishing cogency and astounding effectiveness. In this superlative live recording from the 1989 Göttingen Handel Festival,
John Eliot Gardiner turns in a moving performance. The vocal soloists are terrific, particularly tenor
John Mark Ainsley's tortured Jonathan and bass
Alastair Miles' cruel Saul. The musical effects are tremendous, especially the "Symphony with carillon" in Act I and the "Dead March with organ" in Act III. As always,
Gardiner's
Monteverdi Choir is an agile but powerful ensemble, exemplified by its wrenching "Envy, eldest born of hell!" in Act II or the triumphant "Gird on they sword" in Act III, and his
English Baroque Soloists are vibrant and virtuosic. Some listeners may have reservations about
Derek Lee Ragin's characterization of David as a somewhat pathetic hero, but few would say his performances of the harp-accompanied arias are less than enchanting. Philips' sound is clean, close, and honest.