The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock - Handel: Concerto Grosso 'Alexander's Feast', Oboe Concertos (1985)

George Frideric Handel (1685 - 1759): Concerto grosso "Alexander's Feast"; 3 Oboe Concertos (Nos. 1, 2a and 3); Sonata a 5 in B flat major HWV 288. Performed by David Reichenberg, oboe; Simon Standage, violin; the English Concert, directed from the harpsichord by Trevor Pinnock. Recorded at the Henry Wood Hall, London, England in 1984. Published in 1985 as Deutsche Grammophon Archiv 415 291-2. Total playing time: 47'29".

Although at least one of the three oboe concertos on this recording is almost undoubtedly spurious, this is still one of the loveliest Handel recordings ever made. It happens to be the first CD I ever purchased, but I hope that doesn't prejudice me. I have listened to this over the years again and again, and for me this is the pinnacle of baroque music (only comparable with Bach's Brandenburg Concertos) - gorgeous melodies, elegant but energetic playing and sound engineering that can hardly get any better. What more can one say? I love it! And I am certain that anyone interested in the baroque will enjoy this, too.