The Akademie fÃ¼r Alte Musik Berlin continue their Handel trilogy with this recording of the last six concerti grossi of the composer's Op. 6. Originally designed as attractive interludes to English oratorio performances, Handel's concerti grossi soon gained fame as some of the most appealing orchestral music of the baroque era. With these pieces, written in London towards the end of his career, Handel paid tribute to the immensely popular concerti grossi of Corelli while simultaneously proving his mastery, incorporating all musical styles of his times into his work. The players of the Akademie fÃ¼r Alte Musik Berlin, led by their concertmaster Bernhard Forck, demonstrate why many consider them the best baroque ensemble of today. The concerti grossi Op. 6 are concluded with this second instalment, and a recording of the concerti grossi Op. 3 will complete the trilogy. 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".

Tracklist:

Concerto Grosso In B-Flat Major, Op. 6 No. 7, Hwv 325: I. Largo
Concerto Grosso In B-Flat Major, Op. 6 No. 7, Hwv 325: II. Allegro
Concerto Grosso In B-Flat Major, Op. 6 No. 7, Hwv 325: III. Largo
Concerto Grosso In B-Flat Major, Op. 6 No. 7, Hwv 325: IV. Andante
Concerto Grosso In B-Flat Major, Op. 6 No. 7, Hwv 325: V. Hornpipe
Concerto Grosso In C Minor, Op. 6 No. 8, Hwv 326: I. Allemande
Concerto Grosso In C Minor, Op. 6 No. 8, Hwv 326: II. Grave
Concerto Grosso In C Minor, Op. 6 No. 8, Hwv 326: III. Andante Allegro
Concerto Grosso In C Minor, Op. 6 No. 8, Hwv 326: IV. Adagio
Concerto Grosso In C Minor, Op. 6 No. 8, Hwv 326: V. Siciliana. Andante
Concerto Grosso In C Minor, Op. 6 No. 8, Hwv 326: VI. Allegro
Concerto Grosso In F Major, Op. 6 No. 9, Hwv 327: I. Largo
Concerto Grosso In F Major, Op. 6 No. 9, Hwv 327: II. Allegro
Concerto Grosso In F Major, Op. 6 No. 9, Hwv 327: III. Larghetto
Concerto Grosso In F Major, Op. 6 No. 9, Hwv 327: IV. Allegro
Concerto Grosso In F Major, Op. 6 No. 9, Hwv 327: V. Menuet
Concerto Grosso In F Major, Op. 6 No. 9, Hwv 327: VI. Gigue. Allegro
Concerto Grosso In D Minor, Op. 6 No. 10, Hwv 328: I. Ouverture
Concerto Grosso In D Minor, Op. 6 No. 10, Hwv 328: II. Air. Lentement
Concerto Grosso In D Minor, Op. 6 No. 10, Hwv 328: III. Allegro
Concerto Grosso In D Minor, Op. 6 No. 10, Hwv 328: IV. Allegro
Concerto Grosso In D Minor, Op. 6 No. 10, Hwv 328: V. Allegro Moderato
Concerto Grosso In A Major, Op. 6 No. 11, Hwv 329: I. Andante Larghetto E Staccato
Concerto Grosso In A Major, Op. 6 No. 11, Hwv 329: II. Allegro
Concerto Grosso In A Major, Op. 6 No. 11, Hwv 329: III. Largo E Staccato
Concerto Grosso In A Major, Op. 6 No. 11, Hwv 329: IV. Andante
Concerto Grosso In A Major, Op. 6 No. 11, Hwv 329: V. Allegro
Concerto Grosso In B Minor, Op. 6 No. 12, Hwv 330: I. Largo
Concerto Grosso In B Minor, Op. 6 No. 12, Hwv 330: II. Allegro
Concerto Grosso In B Minor, Op. 6 No. 12, Hwv 330: III. Aria. Larghetto E Piano
Concerto Grosso In B Minor, Op. 6 No. 12, Hwv 330: IV. Largo
Concerto Grosso In B Minor, Op. 6 No. 12, Hwv 330: V. Allegro

UPC: 827949073861
Label: Pentatone
Release Date: 1.17.20
Format: CD

Handel / Akademie Fur Alte Musik Berlin / Forck - Concerti Grossi 6 (7-12) (CD)