Handel - Concerti Grossi, Op. 6 / Orpheus Chamber Orchestra

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Orpheus plays without a conductor, but their performances lack neither precision nor the necessary flexibility. As far as modern instrument versions of these lovely concertos go, these rank with the best. Particularly gratifying is the discreet continuo, played in the background, as it should be. Too many performances turn these pieces into unintentional harpsichord concertos. Best of all, DG offers this set at a special price (three discs for the price of two). --David Hurwitz

Handel - Concerti Grossi, Op. 6 / Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, Music, George Frideric Handel, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, Classical, Classical Composers, Classical Music, Concerto, Concerto Grosso
Concerti Grossi / Water Music / Royal Fireworks
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • How wonderful
  • Delightful.
 Concerti Grossi / Water Music / Royal Fireworks
George Frideric Handel , and Orpheus Chamber Orchestra
Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Chamber MusicChamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
Deutsche Grammophon: MusicDeutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music
Similar Items:
  1. Mendelssohn: Complete Symphonies
  2. Leif Ove Andsnes ~ Haydn - Piano Sonatas
  3. Concert for the Prince of Poland
  4. Handel: Complete Violin Sonatas
  5. Haydn: The London Symphonies, Vol. 2

ASIN: B00006IQFK
Release Date: 2002-09-10

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars How wonderful.......2006-08-18

This has been one of our best classical music purchases. We are purchasing classical music after a nearly 25 year hiatus. We forgot how much we love the music and how wonderful it is to listen to and forget the cares of working in a crazy world.

5 out of 5 stars Delightful........2004-02-18

These three bargain priced CDs offer really distinguished performances, both "historically aware" and warmly expressive: the only thing about which a period-instrument lover could quarrel, is the far richer and sweeter tone (and better intonation) of modern instruments. As for the performances, they are flawless from a philological standpoint, and convey the beauty of this music much more than many others (of any other I have heard).
In short, if you are interested in the SOUND of ancient instruments, this set is not for you; if instead you want to hear how beautiful this music is, and how subtly (AND truthfully) it can be performed by one of the world's very best chamber orchestras, look no further. This set is both delightful and a steal!
Handel - Concerti Grossi, Op. 6 / Orpheus Chamber Orchestra
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • People who hate baroque music should listen to these CDs
  • A great version of Handel's Op. 6 . . .
  • Orpheus delivers Eurydice after all
  • Sensitive, clean,enthusiastic, and brilliant playing
 Handel - Concerti Grossi, Op. 6 / Orpheus Chamber Orchestra
George Frideric Handel , and Orpheus Chamber Orchestra
Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

All Works by HandelAll Works by Handel | Handel, George Frideric | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
Concerto GrossiConcerto Grossi | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
Deutsche Grammophon: MusicDeutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music
Similar Items:
  1. George Frideric Handel: Concerti Grossi Opus 3
  2. Vivaldi: L'estro Armonico
  3. Corelli: 12 Concerti grossi, op. 6
  4. Berlioz: Complete Orchestral Works
  5. Mozart: Violin Concertos

ASIN: B000001GR7
Release Date: 1996-08-13

Tracks:

  1. Concerto No. 1 In G Major HWV 319: A tempo giusto
  2. Concerto No. 1 In G Major HWV 319: Allegro e forte
  3. Concerto No. 1 In G Major HWV 319: Adagio
  4. Concerto No. 1 In G Major HWV 319: Allegro
  5. Concerto No. 1 In G Major HWV 319: Allegro
  6. Concerto No. 2 In F Major: Andante larghetto
  7. Concerto No. 2 In F Major: Allegro
  8. Concerto No. 2 In F Major: Largo - Adagio - Larghetto andante, e piano
  9. Concerto No. 2 In F Major: Allegro, ma non troppo
  10. Concerto No. 3 In E Minor: Larghetto
  11. Concerto No. 3 In E Minor: Andante
  12. Concerto No. 3 In E Minor: Allegro
  13. Concerto No. 3 In E Minor: Polonaise: Andante
  14. Concerto No. 3 In E Minor: Allegro, ma non troppo
  15. Concerto No. 4 In A Minor: Larghetto affecttuoso
  16. Concerto No. 4 In A Minor: Allegro
  17. Concerto No. 4 In A Minor: Largo e piano
  18. Concerto No. 4 In A Minor: Allegro

Tracks:

  1. Concerto No. 5 In D Major: (Larghetto e staccato)
  2. Concerto No. 5 In D Major: Allegro
  3. Concerto No. 5 In D Major: Presto
  4. Concerto No. 5 In D Major: Largo
  5. Concerto No. 5 In D Major: Allegro
  6. Concerto No. 5 In D Major: Menuet: Un poco larghetto
  7. Concerto No. 6 In G Minor: Larghetto affettuoso
  8. Concerto No. 6 In G Minor: A tempo giusto
  9. Concerto No. 6 In G Minor: Musette: Larghetto
  10. Concerto No. 6 In G Minor: Allegro
  11. Concerto No. 6 In G Minor: Allegro
  12. Concerto No. 7 In B Flat Major: Largo
  13. Concerto No. 7 In B Flat Major: Allegro
  14. Concerto No. 7 In B Flat Major: Largo e piano
  15. Concerto No. 7 In B Flat Major: Andante
  16. Concerto No. 7 In B Flat Major: Hornpipe
  17. Concerto No. 8 In C Minor: Allemande
  18. Concerto No. 8 In C Minor: Grave
  19. Concerto No. 8 In C Minor: Andante allegro
  20. Concerto No. 8 In C Minor: Adagio
  21. Concerto No. 8 In C Minor: Siciliana: Andante
  22. Concerto No. 8 In C Minor: Allegro

Tracks:

  1. Concerto No. 9 In F major: Largo
  2. Concerto No. 9 In F major: Allegro
  3. Concerto No. 9 In F major: Larghetto
  4. Concerto No. 9 In F major: Allegro
  5. Concerto No. 9 In F major: Menuet
  6. Concerto No. 9 In F major: Gigue: Allegro
  7. Concerto No. 10 In D Minor: Ouverture - Allegro
  8. Concerto No. 10 In D Minor: Air: Lentement
  9. Concerto No. 10 In D Minor: Allegro
  10. Concerto No. 10 In D Minor: Allegro
  11. Concerto No. 10 In D Minor: Allegro moderato
  12. Concerto No. 11 In A Major: Andante larghetto e staccato
  13. Concerto No. 11 In A Major: Allegro
  14. Concerto No. 11 In A Major: Largo e staccato
  15. Concerto No. 11 In A Major: Andante
  16. Concerto No. 11 In A Major: Allegro
  17. Concerto No. 12 In B Minor: Largo
  18. Concerto No. 12 In B Minor: Allegro
  19. Concerto No. 12 In B Minor: Aria: Larghetto e piano
  20. Concerto No. 12 In B Minor: Largo
  21. Concerto No. 12 In B Minor: Allegro

Amazon.com

Orpheus plays without a conductor, but their performances lack neither precision nor the necessary flexibility. As far as modern instrument versions of these lovely concertos go, these rank with the best. Particularly gratifying is the discreet continuo, played in the background, as it should be. Too many performances turn these pieces into unintentional harpsichord concertos. Best of all, DG offers this set at a special price (three discs for the price of two). --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars People who hate baroque music should listen to these CDs.......2003-11-06

This is a very very good rendition of Handel's Opus 6, made all the more remarkable by the fact that the OCO performs on modern instruments. Certainly, period instruments have become the rage these days, especially when it comes to the baroque period, but (echoing another reviewer) the OCO manages to make this seem irrelevant.

The baroque style is probably the one musical style for which I have the least enthusiasm. If, for example, I never hear Vivaldi's "Four Seasons" ever again, I won't particularly miss it. Probably this is due to the fact that a lot of baroque music just is very badly & ineptly performed, with great frequency. The music looks deceptively simple; many people who have no business recording their performances are given a false sense of confidence, with often wretched results.

Such is definitely not the case here. The tempi & dynamics demonstrate the wonderful discipline & control that the OCO is known for, and the end product is a wonderfully nuanced performance. Any music lover, even one who doesn't care for baroque music, should find this collection to be thoroughly enjoyable. It doesn't hurt that this is a relatively affordable 3-CD set, either.

5 out of 5 stars A great version of Handel's Op. 6 . . ........2002-02-15

The Orpheus Chamber Orchestra (OCO) comes through again with another fine recording, this time of Handel's Op. 6. It's an expensive set (but with 3 discs, it comes out to a little over $.../disc). It's hard to believe that OCO performs without a conductor. Their playing is crisp, clear, and always cohesive. They have never disappointed me, and Handel's great concerti grossi sound fantastic here. Along with his Watermusic, Op. 6 is considered one of Handel's great contributions to the Baroque period. And in the hands of OCO, Handel's massive opus receives the respect it so justly deserves.

5 out of 5 stars Orpheus delivers Eurydice after all.......2000-06-27

I first heard the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra in a 1992 recording of Handel's Water Music/Royal Fireworks. I found the initial tempo of the Water Music overture absurdly fast compared to other recordings I had heard. But it stuck with me for some reason. Repeated hearings have found it growing on me more and more up to the present where all I hear in the Orpheus's Water Music is joy and celebration. This recording of Handel's concerti grossi had the same effect on me, but immediately. Technically it captures good interpreting and performing in a good recording. But what inspired me to write is that there is something magical in Orpheus's playing of Handel. This recording, as does their Water Music, communicates a spirit that makes the period/modern instruments debate irrelevant. I am sure we've all heard recordings every now and then that speak to us for reasons that cannot quite be explained; they just capture something. Orpheus performances of Handel capture the joy of being alive. You know those days that come now and again when you think to yourself, "There's no place I'd rather be than right here at this moment"? This is music that creates that feeling. It dissolves irony and restores a sense of awe in the face of beauty. And yes, I do know how cheesy this all sounds, but sometimes that's just the way it is.

5 out of 5 stars Sensitive, clean,enthusiastic, and brilliant playing.......1998-11-22

This CD keeps me company everywhere: Good perpetual motion for driving and enough contemplative movements for quiet listening, too. It would be excellent for the classical music novice, also.

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