Haendel Concerti Grossi op 3 Alte Music Berlin

Even if this selection of 'Concertos' was most likely compiled by Handel's publisher rather than by the composer himself, the overall quality and colourful nature of the music contained do make it a powerful 'opus'. With their historically-informed and lively playing, the Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin and concertmaster Georg Kallweit demonstrate why many consider them the best Baroque ensemble of today.

The Concerti Grossi Opus 3 by George Frideric Handel are probably the most famous and most frequently performed work of the composer. And although these pieces are so often presented, the ensemble Silete Venti! conducted by Corrado Rovaris, develope from the six Concerti something unique thanx to their Italian heritage.

Handel’s Twelve Grand Concertos, Op. 6, represent one of the twin peaks of the late Baroque orchestral repertoire – Bach’s Brandenburgs are, of course, the other. Like all the greatest art they are susceptible to an almost infinite variety of interpretation and, for the same reason, there is something interesting and of value in each. The Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, playing modern instruments, favours a sprightly, crisply delivered, no-nonsense approach.

Handel’s Twelve Grand Concertos, Op. 6, represent one of the twin peaks of the late Baroque orchestral repertoire – Bach’s Brandenburgs are, of course, the other. Like all the greatest art they are susceptible to an almost infinite variety of interpretation and, for the same reason, there is something interesting and of value in each. The Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, playing modern instruments, favours a sprightly, crisply delivered, no-nonsense approach.

George Frideric Handel - Concerti Grossi Op.3
English Baroque Soloists / Sir John Eliot Gardiner
EAC+LOG+CUE | FLAC: 322 MB | Full Artwork | 5% Recovery Info
Label/Cat#: Apex, Erato # 0927 48682 2 | Country/Year: UK 2002, 1981
Genre: Classical | Style: Baroque

…But what stands out is the overall sound, the brightness and energy of the ensemble, the often rapid yet appropriate tempi. All that depends on a conductor who truly understands the music. This memorable recording is a must for lovers of Handel’s instrumental music. This bargain re-release makes it even more attractive - this is a disc to snap up right away.

What we know as ‘Handel’s Opus 3’ is most likely little more than a brazen attempt by the London publisher John Walsh to make some quick money.

G.F. Handel - Concerti grossi, Op. 3, Sonata a 5
Academy Of Ancient Music / Richard Egarr
EAC+LOG+CUE | WV: 336 MB | Full Artwork | 5% Recovery Info
Label/Cat#: Harmonia Mundi # HMU 907415 | Country/Year: Europe 2007
Genre: Classical | Style: Baroque

…and the whole production is superbly engineered and presented with Harmonia Mundi's usual care for every detail of production. It doesn't get any better.

Georg Friedrich Händel - Six Concerti Grossi, Op.3
Kammerorchester Basel & Julia Schröder
EAC+LOG+CUE | FLAC: 296 MB | Full Artwork: 113 MB | 5% Recovery Info
Label/Cat#: Deutsche Harmonia Mundi # 88697575202 | Country/Year: Germany 2009
Genre: Classical | Style: Baroque

The chamber orchestra Kammerorchester Basel was founded in Basel, Switzerland, in 1984. In the tradition of Paul Sacher's Basler Kammerorchester, its focus is on both early music and contemporary music. Concertmaster and frequently the conductor is Julia Schröder, as of 2013…