We note the passing of one of the greatest bass-baritones of the second half of the 20th century, John Shirley-Quirk. Although the Boston Globes obituary spotlights his work with the composer Benjamin Britten, for me John Shirley-Quirk was the Handelian oratorio bass-baritone par excellence. His rendition of The trumpet shall sound for Sir Colin Daviss first recording of Messiah in 1966 (his second was made 40 years later) is still my preferred version. I havent found that one on YouTube, but I can offer a recording of Handels 1746 oratorio Judas Maccabeus from 1971 with Shirley-Quirk singing the role of Judass brother, Simon. This Vanguard recording features a strong cast, with Heather Harper, soprano I; Patricia Clarke, soprano II; Helen Watts, alto; and Alexander Young, tenor, in the title role. The Amor Artis Chorale, the Wandsworth School Boys Choir, and the English Chamber Orchestra with Harold Lester, harpsichord continuo, are conducted by Johannes Somary. (Shirley-Quirk also recorded Judas Maccabeus a second time in 1978, under the direction of Sir Charles Mackerras.) Since I dont expect any of you to wade though all 144 minutes of this performance, I provide here location timings of some key sections: 22:36 -- Recit: I feel the deity within, 23:43 -- Aria: Arm, arm ye brave (both with John Shirley Quirk, bass-baritone), and 27:05 -- Chorus: We come in bright array (ends at 28:13). 2:20:12 -- Aria (Shirley-Quirk): Rejoice, o Judah!, and 2:22:09 -- Final Chorus: Hallelujah, Amen! (ends at 2:23:52). Other favorite sections: 43:27 -- Beginning of Part II: Chorus: Falln is the foe!, and 47:00 -- Duet (sopranos I and II) and Chorus: Sion now her head shall raise (ends 52:45). 1:23:20 -- Recit: My arms! Against this Gorgias will I go and 1:23:46 -- Aria: Sound an alarm! (both for Judas), and 1:26:24 -- Chorus: We hear, we hear! (ends 1:27:06). 1:33:37 -- Aria (soprano I): Wise men, flattring, may deceive us, 1:39:17 -- Duet (soprano I and alto) and Chorus: We never, never will bow down, and 1:43:02 -- Chorus: We worship God, and God alone (ends Part II), and 1:45:45 -- Aria (alto): Father of Heaven (begins Part III, ends 1:52:02). 1:59:25 -- Chorus: See, the conquring hero comes!, 2:02:16 -- March, and 2:04:09 -- Chorus: Sing unto God, and high affections raise (ends 2:07:13). Enjoy!
Posted on: Tue, 29 Apr 2014 04:23:10 +0000
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