Sunday 24 April 2011
Tune of the Day: Hymnum cantemus Domino
from Giacomo Carissimi's “Jephte”, arranged for three flutes
Composed around 1650 by Italian composer Giacomo Carissimi, Jephte is one of the most famous early-Baroque oratorios.
The work is based on the story of Jephte in the Old Testament Book of Judges. The king of the Ammonites declared war upon Israel, and Jephte promises that if he is victorious in the battle, he will sacrifice the first creature to come out of his house to greet him upon his return. The narrator describes the fight and defeat of the Ammonites, but sadly Jephte's daughter is the first to come from the house to greet him.
The piece we present today was originally a duet sung by two sopranos in response to Jephte's daughter's song to celebrate the victory over the Ammonites.