JOHN CHRISTOPHER SMITH (1712-1795): The Seasons.

Description: Here is an original work by Handel's secretary, three of whose pastiche operas (Handel mixed his own original music) have been released by Naxos under only Handel's name. This oratorio dates from 1740 and is based on the Hymn to the Seasons by Scottish poet James Thomson (whose associated, 4000-line The Seasons provided texts for Haydn's oratorio of the same name). The work is light on descriptions of nature being rather an encomium of God's work manifested in the cycle of the seasons. Given the date and the composer, you won't find it odd that it sounds Handelian. 2 CDs. English texts. Emma Kirkby (soprano), Tim Mead (countertenor), Hans Jörg Mammel (tenor), Markus Simon (bass), Festival Choir Musica Franconia, La Banda; Wolfgang Riedelbauch.