Philharmonia Baroque, Nicholas Mcgegan

Although La resurrezione, composed in Rome in 1708, pre-dates Handel’s more familiar English oratorios by many years, it’s a tremendously vibrant and dramatically compelling score that deserves much wider currency. Certainly Nicholas McGegan’s energetically delivered and beautifully sung performance serves the music to its best advantage.

Sparkling performances of Mozart's piano concertos No.18 and No.19 by keyboard virtuoso Melvyn Tan, "that princeling among fortepianists" (San Francisco Examiner). "Nimble, thoughtful musicianship… a sweet, crystalline tone" - San Francisco Chronicle "Two of the most seductive Mozart performances available" - Chicago Tribune

Sparkling performances of Mozart's piano concertos No.18 and No.19 by keyboard virtuoso Melvyn Tan, "that princeling among fortepianists" (San Francisco Examiner). "Nimble, thoughtful musicianship… a sweet, crystalline tone" - San Francisco Chronicle "Two of the most seductive Mozart performances available" - Chicago Tribune

San Francisco’s Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra celebrates its 30th Anniversary Season in 2010-11. Led by Music Director Nicholas McGegan since 1985, Philharmonia Baroque is recognised as one of the finest chamber orchestras, as well as one of the most exciting period instrument ensembles, in the country. This trio of Haydn symphonies displays the remarkably consistent quality and inventiveness of the composer’s output: from the clever and concise symphony No.88 to the humorous ‘Clock’ to the dazzling and sonorous Symphony No.104 (Haydn’s swan song to the genre), this superb collection bears eloquent witness to Haydn’s consummate mastery.

McGegan's recording is of considerable documentary interest in that a separate section at the conclusion of each of the three parts of Messiah - there are three discs accordingly - is reserved for the many alternative versions of arias, accompanied recitatives and choruses which Handel himself used or at least approved in performances during the 1740s and 1750s. In this way, the booklet explains, the listener can select which version of the work he/she wants to listen to at any given time. About six versions are possible from the 18 alternative tracks provided on the three CDs. By following a table printed in the back of the booklet (a few minutes' mental gymnastics are initially required) you can programme your CD player to replace particular arias with others.

Arcangelo Corelli (February 17, 1653 - January 8, 1713) was a composer, pivotal figure of the Baroque period, and one of the most influential violinists of all time. Born in Fusignano, he studied in nearby Bologna and after 1675 lived in Rome. There, his patrons included Queen Christina of Sweden and, after 1690, the art patron Cardinal Pietro Ottoboni. Corelli was the most widely published and reprinted composer before the Franz Joseph Haydn, he was also the first composer to gain an international reputation solely on the basis of his instrumental music. Many elements of his style became commonplace in the 18th century, and his works are early examples of the newly evolved system of major and minor tonality. As the preeminent violin virtuoso of the day, he taught many leading violinist-composers of the 18th century.