The Akademie fÃ¼r Alte Musik Berlin complete their Handel trilogy with this recording of the Op. 3 concerti grossi. Even if this selection of concertos was most likely compiled by Handel's publisher rather than by the composer himself, the overall quality and colorful nature of the music contained do make it a powerful "opus". With their historically-informed and lively playing, the Akademie fÃ¼r Alte Musik Berlin and concertmaster Georg Kallweit demonstrate why many consider them the best baroque ensemble of today. The ensemble's first PENTATONE album, Cantata (2018) with countertenor Bejun Mehta, won a Diapason d'or. Their 2019 recording of the first six Op. 6 concerti grossi was hailed as "immaculately played... free of fashionable eccentricities" by The Sunday Times, while Klassik praised the ensemble's playing as "eloquent". Their following release with the remainder of the Op. 6 concertos (2020) was singled out by Music Web International for it's unprecedented "lightness" and "brightness".

Tracklist:

Concerto Grosso In B-Flat Major, Op. 3 No. 1, Hwv 312: I. Allegro
Concerto Grosso In B-Flat Major, Op. 3 No. 1, Hwv 312: II. Largo
Concerto Grosso In B-Flat Major, Op. 3 No. 1, Hwv 312: III. Allegro
Concerto Grosso In B-Flat Major, Op. 3 No. 2, Hwv 313: I. Vivace
Concerto Grosso In B-Flat Major, Op. 3 No. 2, Hwv 313: II. Largo
Concerto Grosso In B-Flat Major, Op. 3 No. 2, Hwv 313: III. Allegro
Concerto Grosso In B-Flat Major, Op. 3 No. 2, Hwv 313: IV. Menuet
Concerto Grosso In B-Flat Major, Op. 3 No. 2, Hwv 313: V. Gavotte
Concerto Grosso In G Major, Op. 3 No. 3, Hwv 314: Ia. Largo E Staccato
Concerto Grosso In G Major, Op. 3 No. 3, Hwv 314: Ib. Allegro
Concerto Grosso In G Major, Op. 3 No. 3, Hwv 314: II. Adagio
Concerto Grosso In G Major, Op. 3 No. 3, Hwv 314: III. Allegro
Concerto Grosso In F Major, Op. 3 No. 4b, Hwv 315 "Orchestra": I. Andante - Allegro - Lentement
Concerto Grosso In F Major, Op. 3 No. 4b, Hwv 315 "Orchestra": II. Andante
Concerto Grosso In F Major, Op. 3 No. 4b, Hwv 315 "Orchestra": III. Allegro
Concerto Grosso In F Major, Op. 3 No. 4b, Hwv 315 "Orchestra": IV. Minuetto Alternativo
Concerto Grosso In D Minor, Op. 3 No. 5, Hwv 316: I. Grave
Concerto Grosso In D Minor, Op. 3 No. 5, Hwv 316: II. Allegro
Concerto Grosso In D Minor, Op. 3 No. 5, Hwv 316: III. Adagio
Concerto Grosso In D Minor, Op. 3 No. 5, Hwv 316: IV. Allegro Ma Non Troppo
Concerto Grosso In D Minor, Op. 3 No. 5, Hwv 316: V. Allegro
Concerto Grosso In D Major, Op. 3 No. 6, Hwv 317: I. Vivace
Concerto Grosso In D Major, Op. 3 No. 6, Hwv 317: II. Allegro

UPC: 827949077661
Label: Pentatone
Release Date: 8.14.20
Format: CD

Handel / Kallweit - Concerti Grossi 3 (CD)