Australian Brandenburg Orchestra, Paul Dyer - Handel: Concerti Grossi, Op. 6 (2009)

Tracklist

01. Concerto Grosso in B Minor, Op. 6 No. 12, HWV 330: I. Largo
02. Concerto Grosso in B Minor, Op. 6 No. 12, HWV 330: II. Allegro
03. Concerto Grosso in B Minor, Op. 6 No. 12, HWV 330: III. Aria
04. Concerto Grosso in B Minor, Op. 6 No. 12, HWV 330: IV. Largo
05. Concerto Grosso in B Minor, Op. 6 No. 12, HWV 330: V. Allegro
06. Concerto Grosso in E Minor, Op. 6 No. 3, HWV 321: I. Larghetto
07. Concerto Grosso in E Minor, Op. 6 No. 3, HWV 321: II. Andante
08. Concerto Grosso in E Minor, Op. 6 No. 3, HWV 321: III. Allegro
09. Concerto Grosso in E Minor, Op. 6 No. 3, HWV 321: IV. Polonaise
10. Concerto Grosso in E Minor, Op. 6 No. 3, HWV 321: V. Allegro ma non troppo
11. Concerto Grosso in C Minor, Op. 6 No. 8, HWV 326: I. Allemande
12. Concerto Grosso in C Minor, Op. 6 No. 8, HWV 326: II. Grave
13. Concerto Grosso in C Minor, Op. 6 No. 8, HWV 326: III. Andante allegro
14. Concerto Grosso in C Minor, Op. 6 No. 8, HWV 326: IV. Adagio
15. Concerto Grosso in C Minor, Op. 6 No. 8, HWV 326: V. Siciliana
16. Concerto Grosso in C Minor, Op. 6 No. 8, HWV 326: VI. Allegro
17. Concerto Grosso in G Minor, Op. 6 No. 6, HWV 324: I. Larghetto e affetuoso
18. Concerto Grosso in G Minor, Op. 6 No. 6, HWV 324: II. Allegro ma non troppo
19. Concerto Grosso in G Minor, Op. 6 No. 6, HWV 324: III. Musette
20. Concerto Grosso in G Minor, Op. 6 No. 6, HWV 324: IV. Allegro
21. Concerto Grosso in G Minor, Op. 6 No. 6, HWV 324: V. Allegro
22. Concerto Grosso in F Major, Op. 6 No. 2, HWV 320: I. Andante larghetto
23. Concerto Grosso in F Major, Op. 6 No. 2, HWV 320: II. Allegro
24. Concerto Grosso in F Major, Op. 6 No. 2, HWV 320: III. Largo
25. Concerto Grosso in F Major, Op. 6 No. 2, HWV 320: IV. Allegro ma non troppo
26. Concerto Grosso in B-Flat Major, Op. 6 No. 7, HWV 325: I. Largo
27. Concerto Grosso in B-Flat Major, Op. 6 No. 7, HWV 325: II. Allegro
28. Concerto Grosso in B-Flat Major, Op. 6 No. 7, HWV 325: III. Largo
29. Concerto Grosso in B-Flat Major, Op. 6 No. 7, HWV 325: IV. Andante
30. Concerto Grosso in B-Flat Major, Op. 6 No. 7, HWV 325: V. Hornpipe
31. Concerto Grosso in D Major, Op. 6 No. 5, HWV 323: I. Larghetto e staccato
32. Concerto Grosso in D Major, Op. 6 No. 5, HWV 323: II. Allegro
33. Concerto Grosso in D Major, Op. 6 No. 5, HWV 323: III. Presto
34. Concerto Grosso in D Major, Op. 6 No. 5, HWV 323: IV. Largo
35. Concerto Grosso in D Major, Op. 6 No. 5, HWV 323: V. Allegro
36. Concerto Grosso in D Major, Op. 6 No. 5, HWV 323: VI. Menuet
37. Concerto Grosso in F Major, Op. 6 No. 9, HWV 327: I. Largo
38. Concerto Grosso in F Major, Op. 6 No. 9, HWV 327: II. Allegro
39. Concerto Grosso in F Major, Op. 6 No. 9, HWV 327: III. Larghetto
40. Concerto Grosso in F Major, Op. 6 No. 9, HWV 327: IV. Allegro
41. Concerto Grosso in F Major, Op. 6 No. 9, HWV 327: V. Menuet
42. Concerto Grosso in F Major, Op. 6 No. 9, HWV 327: VI. Gigue
43. Concerto Grosso in G Major, Op. 6 No. 1, HWV 319: I. A tempo giusto
44. Concerto Grosso in G Major, Op. 6 No. 1, HWV 319: II. Allegro
45. Concerto Grosso in G Major, Op. 6 No. 1, HWV 319: III. Adagio
46. Concerto Grosso in G Major, Op. 6 No. 1, HWV 319: IV. Allegro
47. Concerto Grosso in G Major, Op. 6 No. 1, HWV 319: V. Allegro
48. Concerto Grosso in D Minor, Op. 6 No. 10, HWV 328: I. Ouverture
49. Concerto Grosso in D Minor, Op. 6 No. 10, HWV 328: II. Air
50. Concerto Grosso in D Minor, Op. 6 No. 10, HWV 328: III. Allegro
51. Concerto Grosso in D Minor, Op. 6 No. 10, HWV 328: IV. Allegro
52. Concerto Grosso in D Minor, Op. 6 No. 10, HWV 328: V. Allegro moderato
53. Concerto Grosso in A Minor, Op. 6 No. 4, HWV 322: I. Larghetto affettuoso
54. Concerto Grosso in A Minor, Op. 6 No. 4, HWV 322: II. Allegro
55. Concerto Grosso in A Minor, Op. 6 No. 4, HWV 322: III. Largo e piano
56. Concerto Grosso in A Minor, Op. 6 No. 4, HWV 322: IV. Allegro
57. Concerto Grosso in A Major, Op. 6 No. 11, HWV 329: I. Andante larghetto e staccato
58. Concerto Grosso in A Major, Op. 6 No. 11, HWV 329: II. Allegro
59. Concerto Grosso in A Major, Op. 6 No. 11, HWV 329: III. Largo
60. Concerto Grosso in A Major, Op. 6 No. 11, HWV 329: IV. Andante
61. Concerto Grosso in A Major, Op. 6 No. 11, HWV 329: V. Allegro

Looking at the cover of the ABC Classics album depicting a platform diver, the Op. 6 Concerti Grossi of Handel may be the furthest thing from your mind. Harpsichordist and director of the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra Paul Dyer explains this choice as an "invitation to immerse yourself in the beauty of Handel's Concerti Grossi." Cheesy analogies aside, the performances contained within the album itself are indeed quite inviting. Written originally as entr'acte pieces for his popular oratorios, these are masterpieces perfectly capable of standing on their own in performance. The influence off Corelli and his set of Op. 6 Concertos is clear, yet Handel's contributions show the clear, individualistic voice of the mature, seasoned composer. Dyer and his orchestra perform these jewels on period instruments, but (fortunately) do not treat them as dusty, fragile pieces of music. Their playing is extremely vigorous, pushing instruments, tempos, and dynamics to the extreme without ever crossing the line into mere showmanship. In fact, their performance decisions are clearly within the parameters of period playing, but with so much more gusto and enthusiasm than can be found on virtually any other recording. Beyond the excitement, the players deliver a technically polished, marvelously in-tune, and nicely balanced performance. The concertino may, at times, be a little bit subdued in volume, but is still clearly audible throughout. ABC's sound is rich and sonorous, even given the orchestra's small numbers. So go ahead and dive in.

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