Bal 19.05.18 - Handel: Concerti a due cori

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

9.30
Building a Library: Handel's Concerti a due cori with Simon Heighes.
"For Handel a concerto was a means to an end, a tempting bonbon to entice an audience to the main event of the evening. His three Concerti a due cori (Concertos for two choruses) were specially written to help sell seats to his 1747 and 1748 Covent Garden oratorio seasons with Handel recycling highlights from his older choral works, stirringly re-scored for two orchestras with prominent wind and horn parts. Thus these concertos are an attractive proposition, packed full of Handel's 'greatest hits', one after another, whose qualities come over especially well in period instrument performances."


Available versions:-


Il Fondamento, Paul Dombrecht

Academy of Ancient Music, Christopher Hogwood

Freiburger Barockorchester, Gottfried von der Goltz, Petra Mullejans

Tafelmusik, Jeanne Lamon*

Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, Sir Neville Marriner

The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock (only 2)

English Chamber Orchestra, Karl Richter (only 2)*

August Wenzinger


* Download only

[Richard Barrett]

The Freiburg recording is quite new, I've listened to it once and loved it. Many years ago I used to have a record of the ECO with Raymond Leppard, I imagine I wouldn't find that so attractive these days.

[cloughie]

9.30
Building a Library: Handel's Concerti a due cori with Simon Heighes.
"For Handel a concerto was a means to an end, a tempting bonbon to entice an audience to the main event of the evening. His three Concerti a due cori (Concertos for two choruses) were specially written to help sell seats to his 1747 and 1748 Covent Garden oratorio seasons with Handel recycling highlights from his older choral works, stirringly re-scored for two orchestras with prominent wind and horn parts. Thus these concertos are an attractive proposition, packed full of Handel's 'greatest hits', one after another, whose qualities come over especially well in period instrument performances."


Available versions:-


Il Fondamento, Paul Dombrecht

Academy of Ancient Music, Christopher Hogwood

Freiburger Barockorchester, Gottfried von der Goltz, Petra Müllejans

Tafelmusik, Jeanne Lamon*

Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, Sir Neville Marriner

The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock (only 2)

English Chamber Orchestra, Karl Richter (only 2)*

August Wenzinger


* Download only

Are any of Mackerras' recordings still available?

[vinteuil]

.

... there's a rather undistinguished performance from the 1980s with Max Pommer / Neues Bachisches Collegium Musicum -

http://amzn.eu/2o43eoD

On the other hand, this looks as if it might be fun :

http://amzn.eu/jjHuIMX

Zefiro are usually superb; sadly this seems to be nla -

http://amzn.eu/a8d6wY5

.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Zefiro are usually superb; sadly this seems to be nla -

http://amzn.eu/a8d6wY5

Is this the same?:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Handel-Musick-Royal-Fireworks-Zefiro/dp/B00VW66YX8/

[Bryn]

Is this the same?:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Handel-Musi...dp/B00VW66YX8/

Is it not the same August 2006 recording re-licenced from DHM to Out There?

[MickyD]

I have the vintage Hogwood (which includes all 3 concerti) and I seem to have memories of it getting a pretty unflattering review in Gramophone at its time of release. It still sounds OK to me!

[Bryn]

I have the vintage Hogwood (which includes all 3 concerti) . . .

As does the Zefiro CD.

[verismissimo]

Are any of Mackerras' recordings still available?

Mackerras's pioneering recording of the F major from 1959 is on Testament, nla I presume.

[Bryn]

Mackerras's pioneering recording of the F major from 1959 is on Testament, nla I presume.

Youtube is the usual help here:

Others may be found with a little Googling.

[Mal]

I have it by Marriner in an 8 CD London box set, bought at bargain price many moons ago. You can hear snatches here:

https://www.allmusic.com/album/handel-orchestral-works-mw0001418318

[Mal]

I have the vintage Hogwood (which includes all 3 concerti) and I seem to have memories of it getting a pretty unflattering review in Gramophone at its time of release. It still sounds OK to me!

Third ear likes Hogwood's take, says it's "fruity" and comes in a "splendid omnibus bargain-priced set" and gives him a diamond. But there are a lot of diamonds thrown around so hopefully it will be a high quality BAL! He says Marriner is "smooth" and there's no diamond

[BBMmk2]

Must get the Freiburg recording, thank you RB. I do rather like this ensemble. I used to have the ECO/Leppard On LP. Very good this was. Played it quite a lot.

[Mal]

9.30

Available versions:-

Third Ear also mentions the following, not sure how available they are, and some may only have one or two concerti:

Leppard (Phillips box set 454363)
Camden (Naxos)
Hussu (Infinity)
Sarah Francis (Unicorn - Kachana) *
Marriner (Argo) Third Ear says "early prime... crying out for reissue." There is a box set "Marriner the Argo Years" that was released recently. Not sure if it's in there or not...
Marriner (Phillips) "smooth" I think this is the one in the London box set... smooth is good, yes?
Gardiner (Phillips)
Pinnock (DG)
Menuhin (EMI)
Leppard (MHS)
Pommer *

* Third Ear diamond...

[richardfinegold]

I have couple of recordings that always seemed to be used as filler for various Water and Fireworks recordings, along with the Queen of Sheba Music