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Joshua (Handel)

February 11, 2024

Joshua (HWV 64) is an oratorio by George Frideric Handel. It was composed in a month, from 19 July 1747 to 19 August 1747, six months before the beginning of the oratorio season. Joshua is Handel's fourth oratorio based on a libretto by Thomas Morell.[1] The oratorio premiered on 9 March 1748 at the Covent Garden Theatre, London. Joshua is based on the Biblical story of Joshua as the leader of the ancient Israelites. The story follows the Israelites from their passage over the Jordan River into Caanan and through the Battle of Jericho. The work also includes a love story elaborated from a few hints in the Biblical narrative between Caleb's daughter Achsah and Othniel, a young soldier.[2]

George Frideric Handel

Joshua was the fourth oratorio Handel had written within the span of twenty months.[3] Following the Jacobite rising of 1745 in England, Handel produced a series of English oratorios based on military themes: Occasional Oratorio, Judas Maccabaeus, Alexander Balus, Joshua, and Solomon. The military conquests the Israelites achieve in the oratorio were seen as parallels to the victory of the Hanoverian regime in crushing the Jacobite rebellion.[2] Joshua was one of his shortest oratorios and contained no genuine overture, instead having only a brief orchestral movement simply titled "Introduction." Joshua also included at least five pieces borrowed from other Handel compositions. Part One was completed on 30 July 1747, Part Two on 8 August and Part Three on 19 August.[4]

Handel's second-most-famous chorus, "See the Conq'ring Hero Comes," was first penned for Joshua. It was an immensely popular number and Handel soon added it to Judas Maccabaeus, which had premiered the season before. The chorus is more often thought of in connection with Judas because of its greater fame. When a friend said to Handel that, in his opinion, the composer had written better pieces than "See the Conq'ring Hero Comes", Handel replied "You will live to see it a greater favourite with the people than my other fine things."[2]

Dramatis personae edit

 
A picture of the theatre at Covent Garden where Joshua was first performed
Roles, voice types, and premiere cast
Role Voice type Premiere cast, 9 March 1748
Joshua, Leader of the Israelites tenor Thomas Lowe
Othniel, a young warrior, promised to Achsah alto Caterina Galli
Caleb bass Thomas Reinhold
Achsah, Daughter of Caleb soprano Signora Casarini
Angel tenor unknown
Chorus of Israelites, Chorus of the Defeated Israelites, Chorus of the Tribe of Judah, Chorus of Youths, Chorus of Virgins[5]

Instrumentation edit

The work is scored for strings, two oboes, flute, two trumpets, two horns, timpani, and continuo.[6]

Plot summary edit

Part One edit

The Children of Israel celebrate the end of their journey over the Jordan River and into the land of Canaan, praising God for his blessings and Joshua for his leadership. An angel appears to Joshua and appoints him to lead an army against Jericho. Joshua prepares his soldiers for the attack. Othniel, one of Joshua's warriors, is betrothed to Achsah and readies himself to part from his love and go into battle with Joshua.

Part Two edit

 
Joshua and his troops destroying the walls of Jericho,English 5th century

Joshua and his army destroy the mighty city of Jericho and then commemorate the Feast of the Passover. The army gets word of the defeat of Israel at Ai and Joshua gathers his men to renew their attacks. Othniel calls upon Achsah, but Caleb, her father, dismisses him, telling him to go join the war in the defense of Israel's allies. Miraculously, the sun and moon stay their courses, allowing the Israelites to continue fighting until they arise victorious.

Part Three edit

With the fighting over, Joshua is again lauded as a great leader. He then gives Caleb the land which had been promised to him by Moses. Caleb pledges his daughter's hand to whoever can conquer the city of Debir. Othniel rises to the occasion and asks God to guide him to success. He returns triumphant and Achsah praises God protecting her beloved. The people raise their thanksgivings to God for their prosperity and deliverance.[7]

Musical features edit

The air for Achsah in the first act "Hark, 'tis the linnet and the thrush!" contains naturalistic tone painting effects for the birdsong referred to in the text, with a solo violin depicting the linnet and a flute the thrush. The martial tone of the trumpets and drums illustrate the battle sequences. The famous chorus "See the Conq'ring Hero Comes" is heard first as a chorus of youths with horns in the orchestra, then a chorus of virgins with flutes, and finally by full chorus with drums. The air in the last act for Achsah "Oh, had I Jubal's lyre", a short expression of joy with virtuoso writing for the soprano, is often heard and recorded outside the context of the full work.[2]

Musical numbers edit

Part One edit

  • Introduction (Orchestra)
  • Ye sons of Israel (Chorus)
  • Behold, my friends (Tenor, Bass recitative)
  • Oh first in wisdom (Bass aria)
  • Matrons and Virgins (Soprano recitative)
  • Oh who can tell (Soprano aria)
  • Caleb, attend to all I now prescribe (Tenor recitative)
  • To long posterity (Tenor solo with Chorus)
  • So long the memory (Tenor recitative)
  • While Kedron's brook (Tenor aria)
  • But who is He (Alto recitative)
  • Awful pleasing being, say (Alto aria)
  • Joshua, I come commission'd (Tenor, Soprano recitative)
  • Leader of Israel (Tenor, Soprano recitative)
  • To give command (Tenor recitative)
  • Haste, Israel, haste (Tenor aria)
  • The Lord commands (Chorus)
  • In these blest scenes (Soprano, Alto recitative)
  • 'Tis Achsah's voice (Soprano, Alto recitative)
  • Hail, lovely virgin (Soprano, Alto aria)
  • Hark, hark! 'Tis the linnet (Soprano)
  • Oh Achsah, form'd for ev'ry chaste delight (Alto recitative)
  • Our limpid streams (Soprano, Alto duet)
  • The trumpet calls (Alto recitative)
  • May all the host of heaven (Chorus)

Part Two edit

  • 'Tis well (Tenor recitative)
  • March (Orchestra)
  • Glory to God (Tenor solo and Chorus)
  • The walls are levell'd (Bass recitative)
  • See the raging flames arise (Bass aria)
  • To vanity and earthly pride (Soprano aria)
  • Let all the seed of Abrah'm (Tenor recitative)
  • Almighty ruler of the skies (Tenor solo and Chorus)
  • Joshua, the men (Bass recitative)
  • How soon our tow'ring hopes are cross'd (Chorus)
  • Whence this dejection (Tenor recitative)
  • With redoubled rage return (Tenor aria)
  • We with redoubled rage (Chorus)
  • Now give the army breath (Alto recitative)
  • Heroes, when with glory burning (Alto aria)
  • Indulgent heaven hath heard (Soprano recitative)
  • As chears the sun (Soprano aria)
  • Sure I'm deceived (Bass, Alto recitative)
  • Nations, who in future story (Alto aria)
  • Brethren and friends (Tenor recitative)
  • Sinfonia (Orchestra)
  • Thus far our cause (Bass recitative)
  • Trumpet flourish (Orchestra)
  • Oh! thou bright orb (Tenor solo and Chorus)

Part Three edit

  • Hail! Mighty Joshua (Chorus)
  • Happy, oh, thrice happy we (Soprano aria)
  • Caleb, for holy Eleazer send (Tenor, Bass recitative)
  • Shall I in Mamre's fertile plain (Bass aria)
  • For all these mercies we will sing (Chorus)
  • Oh Caleb, fear'd by foes (Alto, Bass recitative)
  • Place danger around me (Alto aria)
  • Father of mercy (Chorus)
  • In bloom of youth (Tenor recitative)
  • See the conqu'ring hero comes (Trio SSA)
  • See the godlike youth advance (Duet SA)
  • See the conqu'ring hero comes (Chorus)
  • Welcome, my son (Bass, alto, soprano recitative)
  • Oh, had I Jubal's lyre (Soprano aria)
  • While life shall last (Alto recitative)
  • Oh peerless maid (Soprano, Alto duet)
  • While lawless tyrants (Bass recitative)
  • The great Jehovah (Chorus)[7]

Notable performances edit

The first staging of Joshua occurred in 1752. Before the performance, Handel cut the first aria, entitled "O first in wisdom." He also expanded the overture by adding the fugue and courante from Solomon. For another performance in 1754, Handel again cut the first aria, but then added five more pieces: four arias and one recitative. Joshua was performed in Salisbury in 1754. It was performed again in 1756 during a three-day Handel festival and in London in 1755 and 1759. Other noteworthy performances include:

Recordings edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b Winton, Dean. "Joshua." Handel's Dramatic Oratorios and Masques. London: Oxford UP, 1966. N. pag. Print.
  2. ^ a b c d Lamott, Bruce. "Handel's Joshua". Philharmonia.com. Retrieved 5 January 2018.
  3. ^ Dean, Winton (1966). Handel's Dramatic Oratorios and Masques. UNCSA Music Library: Oxford University Press. p. 489.
  4. ^ Handel's Dramatic Oratorios and Masques. London: Oxford UP, 1966. N. pag. Print.
  5. ^ "G. F. Handel's Compositions". The Handel Institute. Retrieved 5 January 2018.
  6. ^ IMSLP Joshua Full Score "Archived copy" (PDF). Retrieved 25 November 2015.
  7. ^ a b Joshua Complete Score. Kamlus Edition. University of North Carolina School of the Arts Music Library

11. Joshua HWV 64 Vocal Score; Edition Peters Edited by Andreas Schenck; CF Peters, Frankfurt

External links edit

  • Full-text Libretto
  • IMSLP Scores.

February 11, 2024
joshua, handel, joshua, oratorio, george, frideric, handel, composed, month, from, july, 1747, august, 1747, months, before, beginning, oratorio, season, joshua, handel, fourth, oratorio, based, libretto, thomas, morell, oratorio, premiered, march, 1748, coven. Joshua HWV 64 is an oratorio by George Frideric Handel It was composed in a month from 19 July 1747 to 19 August 1747 six months before the beginning of the oratorio season Joshua is Handel s fourth oratorio based on a libretto by Thomas Morell 1 The oratorio premiered on 9 March 1748 at the Covent Garden Theatre London Joshua is based on the Biblical story of Joshua as the leader of the ancient Israelites The story follows the Israelites from their passage over the Jordan River into Caanan and through the Battle of Jericho The work also includes a love story elaborated from a few hints in the Biblical narrative between Caleb s daughter Achsah and Othniel a young soldier 2 George Frideric HandelJoshua was the fourth oratorio Handel had written within the span of twenty months 3 Following the Jacobite rising of 1745 in England Handel produced a series of English oratorios based on military themes Occasional Oratorio Judas Maccabaeus Alexander Balus Joshua and Solomon The military conquests the Israelites achieve in the oratorio were seen as parallels to the victory of the Hanoverian regime in crushing the Jacobite rebellion 2 Joshua was one of his shortest oratorios and contained no genuine overture instead having only a brief orchestral movement simply titled Introduction Joshua also included at least five pieces borrowed from other Handel compositions Part One was completed on 30 July 1747 Part Two on 8 August and Part Three on 19 August 4 Handel s second most famous chorus See the Conq ring Hero Comes was first penned for Joshua It was an immensely popular number and Handel soon added it to Judas Maccabaeus which had premiered the season before The chorus is more often thought of in connection with Judas because of its greater fame When a friend said to Handel that in his opinion the composer had written better pieces than See the Conq ring Hero Comes Handel replied You will live to see it a greater favourite with the people than my other fine things 2 Contents 1 Dramatis personae 2 Instrumentation 3 Plot summary 3 1 Part One 3 2 Part Two 3 3 Part Three 4 Musical features 5 Musical numbers 5 1 Part One 5 2 Part Two 5 3 Part Three 6 Notable performances 7 Recordings 8 References 9 External linksDramatis personae edit nbsp A picture of the theatre at Covent Garden where Joshua was first performedRoles voice types and premiere cast Role Voice type Premiere cast 9 March 1748Joshua Leader of the Israelites tenor Thomas LoweOthniel a young warrior promised to Achsah alto Caterina GalliCaleb bass Thomas ReinholdAchsah Daughter of Caleb soprano Signora CasariniAngel tenor unknownChorus of Israelites Chorus of the Defeated Israelites Chorus of the Tribe of Judah Chorus of Youths Chorus of Virgins 5 Instrumentation editThe work is scored for strings two oboes flute two trumpets two horns timpani and continuo 6 Plot summary editPart One edit The Children of Israel celebrate the end of their journey over the Jordan River and into the land of Canaan praising God for his blessings and Joshua for his leadership An angel appears to Joshua and appoints him to lead an army against Jericho Joshua prepares his soldiers for the attack Othniel one of Joshua s warriors is betrothed to Achsah and readies himself to part from his love and go into battle with Joshua Part Two edit nbsp Joshua and his troops destroying the walls of Jericho English 5th centuryJoshua and his army destroy the mighty city of Jericho and then commemorate the Feast of the Passover The army gets word of the defeat of Israel at Ai and Joshua gathers his men to renew their attacks Othniel calls upon Achsah but Caleb her father dismisses him telling him to go join the war in the defense of Israel s allies Miraculously the sun and moon stay their courses allowing the Israelites to continue fighting until they arise victorious Part Three edit With the fighting over Joshua is again lauded as a great leader He then gives Caleb the land which had been promised to him by Moses Caleb pledges his daughter s hand to whoever can conquer the city of Debir Othniel rises to the occasion and asks God to guide him to success He returns triumphant and Achsah praises God protecting her beloved The people raise their thanksgivings to God for their prosperity and deliverance 7 Musical features editThe air for Achsah in the first act Hark tis the linnet and the thrush contains naturalistic tone painting effects for the birdsong referred to in the text with a solo violin depicting the linnet and a flute the thrush The martial tone of the trumpets and drums illustrate the battle sequences The famous chorus See the Conq ring Hero Comes is heard first as a chorus of youths with horns in the orchestra then a chorus of virgins with flutes and finally by full chorus with drums The air in the last act for Achsah Oh had I Jubal s lyre a short expression of joy with virtuoso writing for the soprano is often heard and recorded outside the context of the full work 2 Musical numbers editPart One edit Introduction Orchestra Ye sons of Israel Chorus Behold my friends Tenor Bass recitative Oh first in wisdom Bass aria Matrons and Virgins Soprano recitative Oh who can tell Soprano aria Caleb attend to all I now prescribe Tenor recitative To long posterity Tenor solo with Chorus So long the memory Tenor recitative While Kedron s brook Tenor aria But who is He Alto recitative Awful pleasing being say Alto aria Joshua I come commission d Tenor Soprano recitative Leader of Israel Tenor Soprano recitative To give command Tenor recitative Haste Israel haste Tenor aria The Lord commands Chorus In these blest scenes Soprano Alto recitative Tis Achsah s voice Soprano Alto recitative Hail lovely virgin Soprano Alto aria Hark hark Tis the linnet Soprano Oh Achsah form d for ev ry chaste delight Alto recitative Our limpid streams Soprano Alto duet The trumpet calls Alto recitative May all the host of heaven Chorus Part Two edit Tis well Tenor recitative March Orchestra Glory to God Tenor solo and Chorus The walls are levell d Bass recitative See the raging flames arise Bass aria To vanity and earthly pride Soprano aria Let all the seed of Abrah m Tenor recitative Almighty ruler of the skies Tenor solo and Chorus Joshua the men Bass recitative How soon our tow ring hopes are cross d Chorus Whence this dejection Tenor recitative With redoubled rage return Tenor aria We with redoubled rage Chorus Now give the army breath Alto recitative Heroes when with glory burning Alto aria Indulgent heaven hath heard Soprano recitative As chears the sun Soprano aria Sure I m deceived Bass Alto recitative Nations who in future story Alto aria Brethren and friends Tenor recitative Sinfonia Orchestra Thus far our cause Bass recitative Trumpet flourish Orchestra Oh thou bright orb Tenor solo and Chorus Part Three edit Hail Mighty Joshua Chorus Happy oh thrice happy we Soprano aria Caleb for holy Eleazer send Tenor Bass recitative Shall I in Mamre s fertile plain Bass aria For all these mercies we will sing Chorus Oh Caleb fear d by foes Alto Bass recitative Place danger around me Alto aria Father of mercy Chorus In bloom of youth Tenor recitative See the conqu ring hero comes Trio SSA See the godlike youth advance Duet SA See the conqu ring hero comes Chorus Welcome my son Bass alto soprano recitative Oh had I Jubal s lyre Soprano aria While life shall last Alto recitative Oh peerless maid Soprano Alto duet While lawless tyrants Bass recitative The great Jehovah Chorus 7 Notable performances editThe first staging of Joshua occurred in 1752 Before the performance Handel cut the first aria entitled O first in wisdom He also expanded the overture by adding the fugue and courante from Solomon For another performance in 1754 Handel again cut the first aria but then added five more pieces four arias and one recitative Joshua was performed in Salisbury in 1754 It was performed again in 1756 during a three day Handel festival and in London in 1755 and 1759 Other noteworthy performances include Three Choirs Festival in 1759 1769 1773 and 1781 The Oxford Music Room in 1766 1768 and 1773 Winchester 1770 1783 Berlin in 1827 and 1832 London Sacred Harmonic Society in 1839 Aberdare in 1953 1 Recordings editWith John Mark Ainsley tenor James Bowman countertenor Emma Kirkby soprano The King s Consort and New College Choir Robert King conductor Release date 1990 Hyperion CD CDA66461 2 With James Gilchrist tenor Myung Hee Hyun soprano Alex Potter counter tenor Konstantin Wolff bass Collegium Cartusianum Peter Neumann conductor Release date 2008 MDG CD MDG3321532 With Katherine Manley soprano Alexandra Gibson mezzo soprano Allan Clayton tenor George Humphreys bass Richard Rowntree tenor London Handel Orchestra and Chorus Laurence Cummings conductor Release date 2011 Somm Recordings CD SOMM2402 With Mark Le Brocq tenor James Rutherford bass Miriam Allan soprano David Allsopp countertenor Hannoversche Hofkapelle Maulbronner Kammerchor Jurgen Budday conductor Release date 2016 K amp K CD KuK253References edit a b Winton Dean Joshua Handel s Dramatic Oratorios and Masques London Oxford UP 1966 N pag Print a b c d Lamott Bruce Handel s Joshua Philharmonia com Retrieved 5 January 2018 Dean Winton 1966 Handel s Dramatic Oratorios and Masques UNCSA Music Library Oxford University Press p 489 Handel s Dramatic Oratorios and Masques London Oxford UP 1966 N pag Print G F Handel s Compositions The Handel Institute Retrieved 5 January 2018 IMSLP Joshua Full Score Archived copy PDF Retrieved 25 November 2015 a b Joshua Complete Score Kamlus Edition University of North Carolina School of the Arts Music Library 11 Joshua HWV 64 Vocal Score Edition Peters Edited by Andreas Schenck CF Peters FrankfurtExternal links editFull text Libretto Full Vocal Score IMSLP Scores Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Joshua Handel amp oldid 1158859273, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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