Handel composed "Moses Song" (Part III) before "Exodus" (Part II), suggesting the full oratorio text might not have been complete at the outset.
Compositional Technique
Handel reused some of his earlier keyboard fugues and material from other composers' works, such as Stradella's serenata "Qual prodigio è ch'io miri," in "Israel in Egypt."
Composition History
The first part of "Israel in Egypt" was originally an anthem titled "The Ways of Zion do mourn," written for the funeral of Queen Caroline in December 1737.
Composition History
Handel composed "Israel in Egypt" in 1738, intending it for a series of oratorio concerts at the King's Theatre in London between January and May 1739.
Recording & Production
The final chorus of this recording, "The Lord shall reign for ever," was captured in a single take without any retakes or editing, reflecting the musicians' joy after the Covid lockdown.
Compositional Technique
Handel incorporated a Lutheran chorale, "Christ lag in Todesbanden," into the lamentation "And the children of Israel sighed" in "Israel in Egypt."
Interpretation
This recording presents "Israel in Egypt" as it was received in the 19th century, specifically the version that Hector Berlioz considered definitive, which only included Parts II and III.
