This gentle duet for the alto and tenor is accompanied by the two violin parts which play only intermittently. The music is loosely in binary form, with an opening section (the first line of the text) featuring melismatic word setting and lively rhythms, and the second section (the second line of text) being entirely syllabic and with a much more gentle rhythmic structure. The music for this movement is yet another parody from Erba’s Magnificat.
Duet Alto, TenorExodus 15, v 13 |
Thou in Thy mercy hast led forth Thy people which Thou hast redeemed; Thou hast guided them in Thy strength unto Thy holy habitation. |
This chorus begins with a sinister, dotted, ostinato˚ rhythm in the strings. Through the use of diminished˚ chords and unsettling harmonic shifts, Handel brings the text vividly off the page here. There is word painting in abundance, from the appoggiaturas˚ and suspensions˚ on the words “melt away” to the diminished chords on the word “afraid”, and the total lack of any movement at all on the words “as still as a stone”. For the second time in this work the word “greatness” is inexplicably treated with an unexpected and uncomfortable dissonance, all the while accompanied by the insistent and intimidating jagged, dotted rhythm. Despite the unsettling mood which the music creates it is, in fact, parodied directly from Stradella’s wedding serenata “Qual prodigio è ch’io miri?”
Chorus SATB SATBExodus 15, vv 14, 15, 16 |
The people shall hear, and be afraid; sorrow shall take hold on them: all the inhabitants of Canaan shall melt away: by the greatness of Thy arm they shall be as still as a stone; till Thy people pass over, O Lord, which Thou hast purchased. |
This movement has more of a pastoral feel to it. The alto is accompanied by the upper strings and continuo and is given gentle phrases with beautiful melismas contrasted by expansive sustained notes. The voice is accompanied by the upper strings and continuo.
Aria AltoExodus 15, v 17 |
Thou shalt bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of Thine inheritance, in the place, O Lord, which Thou hast made for Thee to dwell in, in the Sanctuary, O Lord, which Thy hands have established. |
This homophonic chorus is very short, and mostly accompanied by a regular “walking” bass figure.
Chorus SATB SATBExodus 15, v 18 |
The Lord shall reign for ever and ever. |
A short passage of secco recitative for the tenor.
Recitative TenorExodus 15, v 19 |
For the horse of Pharaoh went in with his chariots and with his horsemen into the sea, and the Lord brought again the waters of the sea upon them; but the children of Israel went on dry land in the midst of the sea. |
This is an exact repeat of the chorus preceding the tenor aria.
Chorus SATB SATBExodus 15, v 18 |
The Lord shall reign for ever and ever. |
Another short passage of secco recitative for the tenor.
Recitative TenorExodus 15, vv 20, 21 |
And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances. And Miriam answered them: |
