Immerse yourself in the timeless elegance of George Frideric Handel's masterful compositions with this exquisite collection, set to release on April 21, 2025, under Warner Classics. This album is a comprehensive journey through some of Handel's most celebrated works, showcasing his unparalleled ability to blend choral, orchestral, and operatic elements into a cohesive and captivating musical experience.
The album opens with Handel's Double Concertos "A due cori," featuring the Concerto No. 1 in B-Flat Major, HWV 332, and Concerto No. 3 in F Major, HWV 334. These concertos are a testament to Handel's innovative use of dual choirs, creating a rich, layered sound that is both dynamic and deeply expressive. The performances are brought to life by the renowned Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, known for their precision and emotional depth.
Following the concertos, the album delves into Handel's iconic "Water Music," presenting all three suites in their entirety. Suite No. 1 in F Major, HWV 348, Suite No. 2 in D Major, HWV 349, and Suite No. 3 in G Major, HWV 350, are each a delightful exploration of Baroque dance forms and orchestral textures. The suites are filled with lively movements such as minuets, bourrées, and hornpipes, offering a lively and engaging listen.
The album concludes with overtures from two of Handel's most famous operas, "Agrippina" and "Arianna in Creta." These overtures provide a dramatic and energetic finale, showcasing Handel's ability to set the stage for the operatic spectacles that follow.
With a total runtime of 1 hour and 36 minutes, this album is a substantial and rewarding listen for both casual fans and seasoned enthusiasts of classical music. Handel's compositions, performed with the utmost skill and artistry by the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, offer a profound and enriching musical experience that highlights the enduring genius of one of history's greatest composers.
Handel: Concerto a due cori No. 1 in B-Flat Major, HWV 332: I. OvertureGeorge Frideric Handel, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Handel: Concerto a due cori No. 1 in B-Flat Major, HWV 332: II. Allegro ma non troppoGeorge Frideric Handel, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Handel: Concerto a due cori No. 1 in B-Flat Major, HWV 332: III. AllegroGeorge Frideric Handel, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Handel: Concerto a due cori No. 1 in B-Flat Major, HWV 332: IV LentoGeorge Frideric Handel, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Handel: Concerto a due cori No. 1 in B-Flat Major, HWV 332: V. A tempo ordinarioGeorge Frideric Handel, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Handel: Concerto a due cori No. 1 in B-Flat Major, HWV 332: VI. Alla breve moderatoGeorge Frideric Handel, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Handel: Concerto a due cori No. 1 in B-Flat Major, HWV 332: VII. MinuettoGeorge Frideric Handel, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Handel: Concerto a due cori No. 3 in F Major, HWV 334: I. Overture. GraveGeorge Frideric Handel, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Handel: Concerto a due cori No. 3 in F Major, HWV 334: II. AllegroGeorge Frideric Handel, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Handel: Concerto a due cori No. 3 in F Major, HWV 334: III. Allegro ma non troppoGeorge Frideric Handel, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Handel: Concerto a due cori No. 3 in F Major, HWV 334: IV. AdagioGeorge Frideric Handel, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Handel: Concerto a due cori No. 3 in F Major, HWV 334: V. Andante larghettoGeorge Frideric Handel, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Handel: Concerto a due cori No. 3 in F Major, HWV 334: VI. AllegroGeorge Frideric Handel, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Handel: Water Music, Suite No. 1 in F Major, HWV 348: I. OvertureGeorge Frideric Handel, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Handel: Water Music, Suite No. 1 in F Major, HWV 348: II. Adagio e staccatoGeorge Frideric Handel, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Handel: Water Music, Suite No. 1 in F Major, HWV 348: III. AllegroGeorge Frideric Handel, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Handel: Water Music, Suite No. 1 in F Major, HWV 348: IV. AndanteGeorge Frideric Handel, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Handel: Water Music, Suite No. 1 in F Major, HWV 348: V. Allegro da capoGeorge Frideric Handel, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Handel: Water Music, Suite No. 1 in F Major, HWV 348: VI. MinuetGeorge Frideric Handel, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Handel: Water Music, Suite No. 1 in F Major, HWV 348: VII. AirGeorge Frideric Handel, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Handel: Water Music, Suite No. 1 in F Major, HWV 348: VIII. MinuetGeorge Frideric Handel, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Handel: Water Music, Suite No. 1 in F Major, HWV 348: IX. BourréeGeorge Frideric Handel, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Handel: Water Music, Suite No. 1 in F Major, HWV 348: X. HornpipeGeorge Frideric Handel, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Handel: Water Music, Suite No. 1 in F Major, HWV 348: XI. AllegroGeorge Frideric Handel, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Handel: Water Music, Suite No. 2 in D Major, HWV 349: I. AllegroGeorge Frideric Handel, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Handel: Water Music, Suite No. 2 in D Major, HWV 349: II. Alla HornpipeGeorge Frideric Handel, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Handel: Water Music, Suite No. 2 in D Major, HWV 349: III. MenuetGeorge Frideric Handel, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Handel: Water Music, Suite No. 2 in D Major, HWV 349: IV. LentementGeorge Frideric Handel, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Handel: Water Music, Suite No. 2 in D Major, HWV 349: V. BourréeGeorge Frideric Handel, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Handel: Water Music, Suite No. 3 in G Major, HWV 350: I. Menuet IGeorge Frideric Handel, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Handel: Water Music, Suite No. 3 in G Major, HWV 350: II. Rigaudons I & IIGeorge Frideric Handel, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Handel: Water Music, Suite No. 3 in G Major, HWV 350: III. Menuets II & IIIGeorge Frideric Handel, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Handel: Water Music, Suite No. 3 in G Major, HWV 350: IV. Gigues I & IIGeorge Frideric Handel, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Handel: Agrippina, HWV 6: OvertureGeorge Frideric Handel, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Handel: Arianna in Creta, HWV 32: OvertureGeorge Frideric Handel, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields