The recording features a keyed glockenspiel by Firma Schiedmayer, Stuttgart, and two cembalos, one an Italian instrument from 1996 and another built from a Zuckermann kit in 1982.
Composition History
The third part of the oratorio, "Il Moderato," was written by Charles Jennens to reconcile the two opposing viewpoints of Milton's original poems, "L'Allegro" and "Il Penseroso."
Critical Reception
The first performance of "L'Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato" had pitiful attendance due to an unusually intense cold spell in London, during which oxen were roasted on the frozen Thames.
Compositional Technique
Handel composed the choruses in his oratorios, including this one, so they could be performed by talented amateurs, contributing to the 'democratic' aspect of the new form.
Composition History
Handel's oratorio "L'Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato" is connected to the development of the English oratorio, which began with his earlier work "Esther" in 1718.
Recording & Production
This recording of Handel's "L'Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato" is a live recording from a concert at Kloster Eberbach on Whit Sunday, May 19, 2002.
Composition History
The libretto for "L'Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato" was arranged by Charles Jennens, who also later became the librettist for Handel's famous oratorio "Messiah."
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