Seven Trio Sonatas Op 5

Here of late, I have been enjoying a great deal of Handle's instrumental compositions that he wrote for small instrumental combinations (aka chamber music). This superb recording of his Trio Sonatas Opus 5 has certainly been a highlight for me mainly because the playing of the performers, The Brook Street Band, is so very good. Playing these four (4) and five (5) movements delightful compositions on "original" instruments, the aforesaid group's playing is so rhythmic and tuneful. I can just see people in 17th century drag sitting around small candle-lit rooms listening to the dance movements (Gavottes, Gigues, Burrees, Minutes, etc. along with andante, larghetto, and allegro movements. This recording is so atmospheric capturing, to me, the era splendidly. I really enjoyed dear George's works played so very well.

The Brook Street Band are fine musicians in every respect. However, I find their approach to the baroque sound not at all to my taste. The violins especially give forth a thin, to me irritating sound. After buying both of their Handel Trio Sonata CDs, I went and ordered the London Handel Players recordings of the same. I find their warmer sound enticing to my ears and they are equally fine musicians. I am selling off the Brook Street CDs to someone who will more greatly appreciate them.

Lesser known Handel works performed beautifully. Calming and inspiring!

Lovely sweet music!

After getting the first Handel CD, I had to get more because it was something the whole family could enjoy

For those who do not know, the Brook Street Bank consists of four British women who specialize in baroque music. The op. 5 set by Handel is peculiar in many ways. Some of the "trio sonatas" are really five and six-movement suites and not trio sonatas at all as we have come to know them via other composers. Additionally, music in Handel's day was usually sold in sets of three and six so how did op. 5 comes to have seven sonatas? The answer is discussed in the notes. The music is all recycled from many of Handel's earlier works. This, in no way, diminishes the CD.The BSB play with a sparkle and shimmer that would have made old Handel do a dance himself, if he could. The sense of ensemble is outstanding on these period instruments tuned down to a=415. Intonation is impeccable throughout and the notes, written by the group's cellist, are informative and interesting.If you have any interest at all in baroque music , get this set. These ladies really rock!

I am absolutely in love with this recording. However much or little it costs get it! I have another recording of this same music in a box set and though all the notes are all there it sounds like a computer sequencer - like Bach in fact.But here the period instruments and the feeling of the performance gives the music a quirkiness and humanity that is fabulous.This is proof ( if needed) that Handel was infinitely superior to Bach. Handel was the cosmopolitan master of French Italian and English music whereas Bach was some provincial German organist. Back never wrote an opera. And there are enough tunes on this record to furnish another 200 Handel operas!! It is fantastic. Buy it!Peter de Moncey-Co0neglianoComposer

This is getting a lot of air play with me. Beautifully produced sound

Lovely music, well played

音源も良く、盤面もきれいで、大変満足しました。スムースに予定の期間内に届けられました。