This magnificent release involves a couple of firsts: the music was the first works of Handel to be published, and this is the first recording by the Academy of Ancient Music under the leadership of its new music director, conductor and keyboardist Richard Egarr. The 11 pages of notes by Egarr go into the details of the relationship between Handel and his London publisher, and various theories about the cobbling-together of the various odd movements Handel had written for various purposes into the set of six concerti in various keys and with from two to five movements.
The richness of texture and timbre in these works is more advanced than most music of the period. The orchestrations are most colorful, with not just strings heard primarily, but winds in the first concerto, oboe in the second, and so on. The final movement of No. 5 will jump out at you with its familiarity and jaunty air. Egarr takes the solo organ past in the Sixth Concerto. These are sparkling performances and supplied in the most transparent and detailed hi-res surround sound imaginable. The filler work of the Sonata a 5 follows the example of Corelli, has a lovely solo violin part, and brings the program to an excellent close.
– John Sunier