Babell

After the album Bach, Little Books , harpsichordist Francesco Corti continues his collaboration with Arcana with a 2-CD recording entirely dedicated to George Frideric Handel. At the center of the project are the eight “Great” suites. These masterpieces were the composer’s first published set, and are a clear testimony to his virtuosity at the keyboard. Their characteristically diversified styles reflect not only the mélange of national traditions assimilated by the young composer, but also his phenomenal improvisatory talent. Moreover, the attraction of these pieces lies in their melodic and rhythmic affinity to the world of singing and orchestral writing, Händel’s strongest interests.

Following collections of virtuosic German and Italian Baroque recorder concertos Michael Schneider now turns to Baroque England. In respect to number and quality of performers and superior instrument construction, London can be termed the world capital of the recorder in this epoch. Mr. Schneider endeavors for the greatest possible tonal variety and highest quality of the individual pieces within this repertoire. The concertos, based on anthologies by William Babell, Robert Woodcock, and John Baston, have in common the use of ‘small flutes’, that is, recorders in the descant register.