Handel: Organ Concertos Op.7 (Academy of Ancient Music/Egarr) [Hybrid SACD]

This recording on the opus 7 organ concertos by Handel is another wonderful addition to the "Handel-opus-number" series recordings recently produced by the Academy of Ancient Music under the direction of Richard Egarr. If you enjoy Baroque music, or if you are a Handel aficionado, there is little doubt that you will enjoy this recording as much as I do.

Handel was a prodigious composer, but he focused much of his time on the development of oratorios and operas. As everyone knows, Handel's genius shines forth in many of those works, and to know them is a real joy. But Handel was also a master of orchestral music: these works are so amazing that we often find ourselves wishing that he had spent just a little bit more time focusing on this genre. The Concerto Grossi opus 6, for example, is just one example of what Handel could do when he decided to compose for the orchestra. His opus 3 Concerto Grossi are another example, as are also his Concerto a Due Cori pieces. And here, his wonderful organ concertos help round out the set.

The Academy of Ancient Music, now under the direction of Richard Egarr, recently completed a new recording cycle that covers all Handel's opus 1 through 7 orchestral works, and this recording, the opus 7 Organ Concertos, shine as brightly as the rest of this highly acclaimed recording cycle. The decision to record this series was a welcome one, for there has been far too little current Handelian recording efforts these days (much of the Handelian recording cycles were accomplished to well deserved critical acclaim back in the 1980's in Gardener's, Pinnock's, and Hogwood's cycles, amongst others), and this fact helps us accept the relatively high cost of these new AAM disks. Yes, the cost can be high, but if this is what it takes to support a new generation of players recording Handel with the latest in electronic recording technology, it is certainly well worth it. This recording is superlative in every sense, and if one listens with a keen ear towards recognizing the recording itself, it can be seen what advances have been made in recording technology over the years.

You say that you're not an organ fan? Well, I've not been one, either, but this set may make you change your mind. These pieces are gorgeous, witty, dramatic, and sometimes, even humorous. You find yourself, as often we do with Handel, drawn into a world of musical beauty, and the experience can be simply amazing. These pieces show what Handel could do with an orchestra and with the organ, as well. (Since Handel himself was an expert organist, one of the best in all of Europe at the time, we can only imagine the fun - and that's the world for it, to be sure - Handel himself must have enjoyed when he played these pieces himself, which he almost certainly did.

As most every recording in this AAM series of Handel's orchestral works, this entry easily rates as five stars for the performance, and five stars for the recording. It's a wonderful and masterful addition to the library of Handel recordings. It's worth every pence.

Other Disks in the AAM's Handel-Opus-Number Series:
Handel: 12 Solo Sonatas, Op. 1Aca
Handel: Concerti Grossi, Op. 3; Sonata a 5
Handel: Organ Concertos, Op. 4 [Hybrid SACD]
Trio Sonatas Opp. 2 & 5
Handel - Concerti grossi, op. 6 / AAM · Manze

My trusty old Harnoncourt recordings on Telefunken sound simply lethargic after listening to this outstanding performance (and my vinyl playback is of far better quality than my CD playback). Even haters of organ music should love this.

I know and love Handel's compositions, and I have a few organ pieces in my collection, but this album of pure organ music by Handel translated into hours of listening pleasure. There are a couple of music lovers on my Chritmas list who are going to get a copy!