Georg Friedrich Händel był niemieckim kompozytorem epoki baroku, który od 1712 roku mieszkał w Londynie i uzyskał brytyjskie obywatelstwo. Wraz z Bachem i Telemannem należy do najczęściej wykonywanych kompozytorów barokowych. Skomponował ponad czterdzieści oper i około trzydziestu oratoriów, przy czym sławę przyniosło mu przede wszystkim oratorium Mesiáš z 1741 roku.
Israel in Egypt to monumentalne oratorium na temat biblijny, wydane w 1990 roku na 2 CD przez wytwórnię Virgin Veritas. Dzieło składa się z trzech części (52 utworów) i opowiada historię wyprowadzenia Izraelitów z Egiptu – od żałoby po śmierci Józefa, przez egipskie plagi, aż po wyzwolenie nad Morzem Czerwonym. Händel stworzył tu imponującą biblijną freskę z wykorzystaniem rozbudowanych partii chóralnych i wyrazistego barokowego wyrazu.
Utwory
CD1
. Israel In Egypt; HWV 54
. Part 1
. The Lamentation Of The Israelites For The Death Of Joseph
1-01. [Orchestra] Largo Assai 2:17
1-02. Chorus: The Soons Of Israel Do Mourn 6:26
1-03. How Is The Mighty Fall'n 3:10
1-04. He Put On Righteousness 2:22
1-05. When The Ear Heard Him [Soprano 2, Alto, Tenor, Bass Only]
1-06. How Is The Mighty Fall'n! 1:02
1-07. He Deliver'd The Poor That Cried 6:10
1-08. How Is The Mighty Fall'n! 1:04
1-09. The Righteous Shall Be Had In Everlasting Remembrance [Soprano 1, Alto, Tenor, Bass 1] 3:54
1-10. Their Bodies Are Buried In Peace 5:49
1-11. The People Will Tell Of Their Wisdom 2:06
1-12. They Shall Receive A Glorious Kingdom [Soprano 2, Alto, Tenor, Bass 2] 3:50
1-13. The Merciful Goodness Of The Lord Endureth For Ever 6:17
. Part Two
. Exodus
1-14. Recitative, Tenor: Now There Arose A New King Over Egypt 0:26
1-15. Chorus, Alto: And The Children Of Israel Sighed 4:13
1-16. Recitative, Tenor: Then Sent He Moses, His Servant 0:41
1-17. Chorus: They Loathed To Drink Of The River 2:30
1-18. Air, Alto: Their Land Brought Forth Frogs 2:14
1-19. Chorus: He Spake The Word 2:02
1-20. Chorus: He Gave Them Hailstones For Rain 2:21
1-21. Chorus: He Sent A Thick Darkness Over The Land 3:03
1-22. Chorus: He Smote All The First-Born Of Egypt 2:49
CD2
2-01. Chorus: But As For His People, He Led Them Forth Like Sheep 4:43
2-02. Chorus: Egypt Was Glad When They Departed 2:34
2-03. Chorus: He Rebuked The Red Sea, And It Was Dried Up 0:38
2-04. He Led Them Through The Deep 1:25
2-05. But The Waters Overwhelmed Their Enemies 1:12
2-06. Chorus: And Israel Saw The Great Work 0:45
2-07. And Believed The Lord And His Servant Moses 3:01
. Part Three
. Moses' Song
2-08. Introitus, Chorus: Moses And The Children Of Israel Sung This Song 0:55
2-09. I Will Sing Unto The Lord 2:38
2-10. Duet, Soprano 1 & 2: The Lord Is My Strenght And My Song 4:09
2-11. Chorus: He Is My God 0:52
2-12. And I Will Exalt Him 2:17
2-13. Duet, Basses 1 & 2: The Lord Is A Man Of War 6:17
2-14. Chorus: The Depths Have Covered Them 2:08
2-15. Chorus: Thy Right Hand, O Lord, Is Become Glorious 1:25
2-16. And In The Greatness Of Thine Exellency 0:28
2-17. Thou Sentest Forth Thy Wrath 1:43
2-18. Chorus: And With The Blast Of The Nostrils 2:42
2-19. Air, Tenor: The Enemy Said, I Will Persue 2:13
2-20. Air, Soprano 1: Thou Didst Blow With The Wind 1:59
2-21. Chorus: Who Is Like Unto Thee, O Lord 1:05
2-22. The Earth Swallowed Them 0:58
2-23. Duet, Alto, Tenor: Thou In Thy Mercy Hast, Led Forth Thy People 4:31
2-24. Chorus: The People Shall Hear, And Be Afraid 6:16
2-25. Air, Alto: Thou Shalt Bring Them In 3:54
2-26. Chorus: The Lord Shall Reign For Ever And Ever 0:41
2-27. Recitative, Tenor: For The Horse Of Pharaoh Went In 0:30
2-28. Chorus: The Lord Shall Reign For Ever And Ever 0:41
2-29. Recitative, Tenor: And Miriam The Prophetess 0:21
2-30. Solo, Soprano 1 And Chrus: Sing Ye To The Lord
