Handel: Semele, HWV 58 "Where'er you walk" John Aler

I finally got the recording of the whole oratorio so I can upload this aria as it was meant to be sung: by a tenor, John Aler..

Jupiter
Where'er you walk, cool gales shall fan the glade;
Trees, where you sit, shall crowd into a shade.
Where'er you tread, the blushing flow'rs shall rise,
And all things flourish where'er you turn your eyes.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• George
• Frideric
• Handel
• Semele
• HWV
• 58
• Where'er
• you
• walk
• John
• Aler
• tenor
• score
• animation

[1969Chronos]

Though a magnificent recording, I disagree with the statement "as it was meant to be sung." In the Baroque period, singers and musicians had the liberty of adding their own signature ornamentation to the music during its performance. Very few scores show any records such renditions. Thus, what it's a paragon of how to perform this aria or any other one may be still subjected to interpretation or opinion. Thank you for sharing this musical gem.

[civileso]

@1969Chronos Yes, of course. When I said "as it was meant to be sung", I was referring to the other versions I posted by a countertenor and a soprano which were transpositions. So I finally posted this one which is sung by a tenor, hence the statement "as it was meant to be sung: by a tenor." I didn't mean he sings it the best way or anything of the sort.

[BillMonarch]

@civileso Although, if I had to pick a tenor to sing it, John Aler would definitely be up there on my list.  He's always been one of my favorites. I can't believe I was unable to find a version of "Every Valley" from Messiah or either of the big tenor arias from Elijah ("Then Shall the Righteous" or "If With All Your Hearts") on YouTube. I had the honor of singing with a choir in a performance of Elijah where he was the featured tenor soloist.

[civileso]

@BillMonarch He is also one of my Handel singers. This is why I have chosen him for the originally intended tenor version to upload.

[LoverofLiszt]

I don´t think this is the actual scores to this song ( or at least not to this recording.) John , and all the others I´ve heard, signs this aria in G-major, but these scores are in Bb-major. so the highest note is E, not G. Just want to make it right.

[civileso]

The score is B-flat major as it is on the Chrysander edition (but the one I used is not Chrysander, although in the same key), you can check the score if you go to IMSLP website. Yes, this is the original key. And Aler is also singing B-flat major here.

[AulicExclusiva]

Lovely, elegant rendition. Aler was a fine artist.

[JoseighBlogs]

Weren't the words taken from Alexander Pope's poem? - He, who, in life, and by all accounts, an unlikely, unattractive fellow was also a 'sad silent lover' of certain Georgian beauties' who he ogled relentlessly pursuing jealously with results to his pathetic reputation (always disreputable toward rival suitors with brilliant published rhyme). Is there a biography of the fellow that says as much. If not - there should be.

[Bullard6311]

Beautiful. I love the embellishments in the repeat.

[gesaporiti]

molto buono il tuo lavoro. grazie!



[Taenyr]

@civileso He recorded "Messiah" with Andrew Davis and the Toronto Symphony. He certainly does a beautiful job, especially on "Ev'ry Valley".

[jadzia812]

this is my nysma solo

[kiltlvr]

This is my favorite performance of this piece, though there are many fine renditions. Love John Aler's voice. Thank you for posting.