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Review by garthoz November 26, 2008 (8 of 9 found this review helpful)
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What a delicious experience this set is. The music must rate with Handel's best, the performance is first class and the recording is of a very high standard. I find myself returning to these discs over and over for a refreshing and entertaining experience; I'm confident that any lover of baroque music would be similarly engaged. This is an authentic period performance on period instruments. Any one looking for a sweet, melodic and romantic style presentation will be disappointed. The presentation demands your attention and opinion; you will not be bored. The continuo section comprising double base, and variously harpsichord or organ and the wonderful sounds of the theorbo or archlute. This section is by no means in the background as in some performances on vinyl decades ago, but contibutes up-front to the crispness and intimacy of the sound. One can imagine Mr. Handel himself directing things from the harpsichord or organ. The strings, and notably the violins are suitably bright, steely and free of vibrato.
I have listened only to the multichannel track of this set. The recording is a touch on the bright side but this only complements this style of music. The front/centre channel is quite strong in comparison to all my other SACD's but I welcome this and find that it helps to build up the solidarity of the sound. The rear/surround speakers provide sufficient ambience to give good depth and width to the sound stage.
So this set is a worthy companion to my other baroque SACD treasures, namely, Vivaldi "La Stravaganza" (also Arte Dei Suonatori) and Handel Concerti grossi Op.3 Academy of Ancient Music.
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Review by JJ November 15, 2008 (8 of 10 found this review helpful)
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Händel’s Concerti Grossi consist of two series. Opus 3 is made up of seven concertos and opus 6 twelve. They were composed in 1739 over a period of less than a month. “Fruit of a German composer who had traveled to Italy and was living in London,” notes musicologist Marc Vignal, “Händel’s Concerti Grossi are essentially, despite respect paid to England, descendants of the glorious line of Torelli and, above all, Corelli, whose concerti grossi opus 6, albeit performed in Rome as early as 1682, were first published in Amsterdam in 1714. In England, Albinoni’s opus 2 was first published in 1709, Vivaldi’s opus 3 no doubt in 1714, Corelli’s opus 6 in 1715, Geminiani’s opus 3 around 1732. It is perhaps John Walsh himself, who had become Händel’s principal publisher, who asked Händel to add his name to this illustrious family.” Listening to the baroque ensemble Arte Dei Suonatori is, as always, a renewed pleasure. And let it be said right off that what makes this remarkable recording well worth the price is, above all, the atypical approach of the musical discourse. Händel’s Concerti Grossi as heard on this recording release a perfume of rebirth, which is hardly the case of countless earlier versions. Under the inspired direction of Martin Gester, the musicians of the Arte Dei Suonatori enchant us by the detailed precision of both their articulation as well as the élan of their inflections. Colors are spread before us part of a palette of unique scents. Let there be no doubt that this interpretation of Händel’s opus 6 will leave no one indifferent. It may shock some, enthuse others. Our choice is clear.
Jean-Jacques Millo
Translation Lawrence Schulman
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