George Frederick Handel - Handel Concerti Grossi Op 6 (12 tracks) +Album Reviews

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George Frederick Handel
Handel: Concerti Grossi, Op. 6
Genre: Classical

Track Listings (12) - Disc #1
1. Concerto Grosso In G Major, Op. 6, No. 1
2. Concerto Grosso In F Major, Op. 6, No. 2
3. Concerto Grosso In E Minor, Op. 6, No. 3
4. Concerto Grosso In D Major, Op. 6, No. 5
5. Concerto Grosso In G Minor, Op. 6, No. 6
6. Concerto Grosso In B Flat Major, Op. 6, No. 7
7. Concerto Grosso In A Minor, Op. 6, No. 4
8. Concerto Grosso In C Minor, Op. 6, No. 8
9. Concerto Grosso In F Major, Op. 6, No. 9
10. Concerto Grosso In D Minor, Op. 6, No. 10
11. Concerto Grosso In A Major, Op. 6, No. 11
12. Concerto Grosso In B Minor, Op. 6, No. 12

CD Details

All Artists: George Frederick Handel
Title: Handel: Concerti Grossi, Op. 6
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 0
Label: Decca Import
Original Release Date: 1/1/1998
Re-Release Date: 6/8/1998
Album Type: Import
Genre: Classical
Styles: Forms & Genres, Concertos, Historical Periods, Baroque (c.1600-1750), Symphonies
Number of Discs: 2
SwapaCD Credits: 2
UPCs: 028945881720, 0028945881720

CD Reviews

Expensive, but worth it

jsa | San Diego, CA United States | 07/12/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It's incredible that Handel wrote these 12 concertos, his most highly regarded instrumental music, in just one month - a total of 157 minutes of music as performed by the Handel & Haydn Society. Handel didn't write all of this music completely from scratch though: he borrowed here & there from his own works, including three of his organ concertos, as well as quoted from other composers. An astute listener might notice this, but it was Handel's genius to adapt material so cleverly that it all sounds completely fresh.

The Handel & Haydn Society is a Boston-based period instrument orchestra that has a rich history in the performance of early & classical music (it was founded in 1815). Christopher Hogwood was its Artistic Director from 1986-2001, so these recordings (1991-1992) are the product of a long relationship between conductor & orchestra. Here's what Grammophone had to say about these performances: "The Handel & Haydn Society's alert enthusiasm is tangible throughout these polished and stylish readings, originally recorded by Decca's much lamented early-music division L'Oiseau-Lyre. The sound is less dry than Andrew Manze's energised and supple performances, yet textures are more transparent than the expressive richness of Trevor Pinnock's excellent recordings. Hogwood combines the best of both worlds and directs with natural sensitivity; his tastefully emphasised suspensions and relaxed shaping of cadences are consistently perfect. I hesitate to proclaim this the finest Op 6 on disc but there is ample here to satisfy the fussiest Handelians."

The Handel & Haydn Society do not seem to record very much which is all the more reason to acquire this worthy set of opus 6. The sound is very good, however, for interested parties there is also a remastered set available that includes the opus 3 concertos (search "Handel & Haydn Society").

Highly recommended!"