George Frideric Handel – Concerti Grossi op.3 (Gardiner) [1993]

1. Concerto Grosso Op.3 No.4a: Largo-Allegro
2. Concerto Grosso Op.3 No.4a: Andante
3. Concerto Grosso Op.3 No.4a: Allegro
4. Concerto Grosso Op.3 No.4a: Menuet. Alternat: Allegro
5. Concert Grosso Op.3 No.5: Largo
6. Concert Grosso Op.3 No.5: Allegro
7. Concert Grosso Op.3 No.5: Adagio
8. Concert Grosso Op.3 No.5: Allegro ma non troppo
9. Concert Grosso Op.3 No.5: Allegro
10. Concert Grosso Op.3 No.6: Vivace
11. Concert Grosso Op.3 No.6: Allegro
12. Concert Grosso Op.3 No.2: Vivace
13. Concert Grosso Op.3 No.2: Largo
14. Concert Grosso Op.3 No.2: Allegro
15. Concert Grosso Op.3 No.2: Minute
16. Concert Grosso Op.3 No.2: Gavotte
17. Concert Grosso Op.3 No.3: Largo e staccato-Allegro
18. Concert Grosso Op.3 No.3: Adagio-Allegro
19. Concert Grosso Op.3 No.1: Allegro
20. Concert Grosso Op.3 No.1: Largo
21. Concert Grosso Op.3 No.1: Allegro 

English Baroque Soloists
John Eliot Gardiner - conductor

Handel wrote two sets of concerti grossi - the opus 3 and opus 6 concerti. This recording features the opus 3 works, which were published in 1734. However, these concerti date back to around 1710 to 1720, and contain a great deal of music that Handel re-used. The opus 3 concerti differ instrumentally from the later works. These concerti feature winds - oboe, flute and bassoon - whereas the later works were written for strings only.

There is a great deal of instrumental variety in these works. It is almost as if Handel intended them to be an anthology of different possibilities. The first concerto features two bassoons, the second two cellos (in the moving largo they are in the forefront), the third focuses on the flute and oboe, the fourth and fifth are written around violins, and the sixth uses the organ. These are certainly some of the most diverse instrumental works Handel wrote.

This disc, an analogue recording originally released in 1981, is a refreshing hour of music. The sheer energy and involvement of the musicians in these works is exemplary. John Eliot Gardiner gathered a group of ten skilled and sensitive musicians, including violinist Simon Standage and flautist Lisa Beznosiuk, and brought about that rare alchemy of a classical recording - making the results much greater than the sum of their parts. While all the musicians perform brilliantly, there are many moments where the soloists shine individually. Standage’s violin in the third movement of the 4th concerto, for example, has that rare combination of excellent tone, perfect rhythm and a high level of emotion. Alastair Ross on organ is captivating in the brief 6th concerto, which, with only two movements, and its very French tone, is one of the gems of this set.

But what stands out is the overall sound, the brightness and energy of the ensemble, the often rapid yet appropriate tempi. All that depends on a conductor who truly understands the music. This memorable recording is a must for lovers of Handel’s instrumental music. This bargain re-release makes it even more attractive - this is a disc to snap up right away.---Kirk McElhearn, www.musicweb-international.com

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