Concerto Grossi 9-12

1. Concerto Grosso in F major, Op.6/9, HWV 327
Composed by George Frideric Handel
Performed by Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields with John Constable , Lionel Handy , Jonathan Rees

2. Concerto Grosso in D minor, Op.6/10, HWV 328
Composed by George Frideric Handel
Performed by Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields with John Constable , Lionel Handy , Jonathan Rees

3. Concerto Grosso in A major, Op.6/11, HWV 329
Composed by George Frideric Handel
Performed by Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields with John Constable , Lionel Handy , Jonathan Rees

4. Concerto Grosso in B minor, Op.6/12, HWV 330
Composed by George Frideric Handel
Performed by Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields with John Constable , Lionel Handy , Jonathan Rees

Concerto Grossi 9-12,Handel,Hanssler Classics,Chamber Music & Recitals,Classical,Classical Composers,Classical Music

Average customer rating: Are there better? Not even close. Treat your ears right ! FANTASTIC HANDEL!! A good recording of this work but there are better A recording of the century...really!

Handel - Concerti grossi, op. 6 / AAM · Manze George Frideric Handel , Andrew Manze , and The Academy of Ancient Music Manufacturer: Harmonia Mundi Fr. ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Handel | Handel, George Frideric | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Concerto Grossi | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Academy of Ancient Music | ( A ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Classical | Imports | Stores | Music Blowout Box Sets | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 20% Off | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Handel, George Frideric | ( H ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Academy of Ancient Music | ( A ) | Performers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Instrumental | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Similar Items: Violin Sonatas Op 5 Complete Organ Concertos Handel: Concerti Grossi, Op. 3; Sonata a 5 Heinichen: Dresden Concerti Concert for the Prince of Poland ASIN: B00000C2A4 Release Date: 1998-09-08

Tracks:

1. Concerti Grossi, Op. 6: (No Marking)
2. Concerti Grossi, Op. 6: Allegro
3. Concerti Grossi, Op. 6: Presto
4. Concerti Grossi, Op. 6: Largo
5. Concerti Grossi, Op. 6: Allegro
6. Concerti Grossi, Op. 6: Menuet
7. Concerti Grossi, Op. 6: A tempo giusto
8. Concerti Grossi, Op. 6: Allegro
9. Concerti Grossi, Op. 6: Adagio
10. Concerti Grossi, Op. 6: Allegro
11. Concerti Grossi, Op. 6: Allegro
12. Concerti Grossi, Op. 6: Andante larghetto
13. Concerti Grossi, Op. 6: Allegro
14. Concerti Grossi, Op. 6: Largo
15. Concerti Grossi, Op. 6: Allegro, ma non troppo
16. Concerti Grossi, Op. 6: Larghetto
17. Concerti Grossi, Op. 6: Andante
18. Concerti Grossi, Op. 6: Allegro
19. Concerti Grossi, Op. 6: Polonaise
20. Concerti Grossi, Op. 6: Allegro, ma non troppo
21. Concerti Grossi, Op. 6: Ouverture
22. Concerti Grossi, Op. 6: Allegro
23. Concerti Grossi, Op. 6: Lento
24. Concerti Grossi, Op. 6: Allegro
25. Concerti Grossi, Op. 6: Allegro
26. Concerti Grossi, Op. 6: Allegro moderato
27. Concerti Grossi, Op. 6: Andante larghetto, e staccato
28. Concerti Grossi, Op. 6: Allegro
29. Concerti Grossi, Op. 6: Largo, e staccato
30. Concerti Grossi, Op. 6: Andante
31. Concerti Grossi, Op. 6: Allegro

Tracks:

1. Concerti Grossi, Op. 6: Largo
2. Concerti Grossi, Op. 6: Allegro
3. Concerti Grossi, Op. 6: Largo, e piano
4. Concerti Grossi, Op. 6: Andante
5. Concerti Grossi, Op. 6: Hornpipe
6. Concerti Grossi, Op. 6: Larghetto e affettuoso
7. Concerti Grossi, Op. 6: Allegro, ma non troppo
8. Concerti Grossi, Op. 6: Musette
9. Concerti Grossi, Op. 6: Allegro
10. Concerti Grossi, Op. 6: Allegro
11. Concerti Grossi, Op. 6: Larghetto affettuoso
12. Concerti Grossi, Op. 6: Allegro
13. Concerti Grossi, Op. 6: Largo, e piano
14. Concerti Grossi, Op. 6: Allegro
15. Concerti Grossi, Op. 6: Largo
16. Concerti Grossi, Op. 6: Allegro
17. Concerti Grossi, Op. 6: Larghetto
18. Concerti Grossi, Op. 6: Allegro
19. Concerti Grossi, Op. 6: Menuet
20. Concerti Grossi, Op. 6: Gigue
21. Concerti Grossi, Op. 6: Allemande
22. Concerti Grossi, Op. 6: Grave
23. Concerti Grossi, Op. 6: Andante allegro
24. Concerti Grossi, Op. 6: Adagio
25. Concerti Grossi, Op. 6: Siciliana
26. Concerti Grossi, Op. 6: Allegro
27. Concerti Grossi, Op. 6: Largo
28. Concerti Grossi, Op. 6: Allegro
29. Concerti Grossi, Op. 6: Larghetto, e piano
30. Concerti Grossi, Op. 6: Largo
31. Concerti Grossi, Op. 6: Allegro

Amazon.com essential recording

From the onset of the historical performances movement some years back, listeners have been subjected to a great many historically correct yet musically limp, passive and rudderless performances. So conductor Andrew Manze deserves real credit for the marvelous job he does here with the Academy of Ancient Music in the twelve Concerti Grossi, Opus 6, of George Frideric Handel. With great warmth as well as vigor he lets these felicitous, robust works come to life. What we hear is more color, more meat and more life than we are likely to get from a typical early music ensemble. Manze is a great musician. --Gwendolyn Freed

Customer Reviews:

Are there better? Not even close........2005-12-19

I have devoured many recordings of the Op.6 as well as the Op.3 Concerti Grossi for the last 30 odd years. Marriner, Leppard, Hogwood, etc. (I don't count the Germans, apparently Handel eludes them). I thought I knew these works completely, like I know my wife's body. After hearing Andrew Manze's recreation of them it is as if the previous recordings had held back some divine secret that Manze finally reveals to the world. Treasures of unimaginable wealth are sprayed out like gemstone machine guns. Movements that I had previously thought, in my ignorance, to be somewhat longish, I now crave with an addicts lust. This recording, finally, hammers the coffin shut on all the other composers, the dabblers of the concerto grosso form. Yes, even the exalted noodler himself, Bach, is blown into the weeds. Handel's humanity, drama, sex, epiphanous grandeur and just plain a**-kicking compositional chops gush forth from Manze's 13 strings and two continuo players with an "INCOMPARABLE" dash, musicianship, élan, oh hell, they are as tight as a frog's bu** cheeks. And I mean that in a good way.

Treat your ears right !.......2005-07-29

Bold ! Robust ! Vibrant ! Exhilarating ! Brilliant ! Blow the grit out of your ears and listen to this. This is how Handel was meant to be played ! Do your ears a favor, go buy this CD.
Handel's Op. 6 + Manze = Heaven

FANTASTIC HANDEL!!.......2003-06-27

THIS CD IS JUST GREAT, BECAUSE THE MUSIC FLOWS LIKE A RIVER TO THE SEA, IN OTHER WORDS YOU BETCHA HEAR IT, DAMN GREAT!!
THE FIRST CD IS A "MUST" AND THE VIOLINS SOUND SO SMOOTH.... I CAN'T EXPLAIN THE FEELINGS YOU SHOULD TRY IT, AND OF COURSE BUY ONE 'CAUSE THIS CD IS 4EVER.

A good recording of this work but there are better.......2001-11-08

The playing is admirable and beautiful(especially the outstanding stylish playing from Manze and his soloist), and the use of period instruments is wonderful. But this recording is slightly bland in some movements(certain movements could be taken faster)if you want a recording with more passion I would opt for either the version from the Orpheus CO on DG or the one's from Iona Brown on Hanssler or Philips(I have listening to these recordings thousands of times and I warmly recommend them with 5 stars)

A recording of the century...really!.......2001-04-09

Manze has outdone himself, as have the Academy of Ancient Music.

There is life, there is magic, there is some beautiful playing, there is everything you could possibly want in a recording of this wonderful score. Even if you forego period instruments, you should really try these guys out! Forget Orpheus's attempt, and please ignore the bizarre recommendation for I Musici de Montreal on Chandos (great sound and cold playing). This recording really puts all those to shame.

To top it all off, not only do you have wonderful music-making, but you also get intelligent and delightful notes that are humorous too.

A first-class production. Maybe the classical music recording industry isn't dead quite yet!

Average customer rating: A little known treasure Sparkling Music Manfredini is 'da MAN! So Underrated his works are!!! Vivaldi with a touch of Mozart Unsung Baroque Master

Manfredini: CONCERTI GROSSI OP. 3 Nos. 1-12 Manufacturer: Naxos ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music CDs Under $7 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music 4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Locatelli: Concerti Grossi, Op. 1, Nos. 1-6 Locatelli: Concerti Grossi, Op. 1, Nos. 7-12 Geminiani: Concerti Grossi Vol. 1 Muffat: Concerti Grossi, Nos. 1-6 Muffat: Concerti Grossi, Nos. 7-12 ASIN: B000026CWI Release Date: 1999-10-26

Tracks:

1. Con in F, Op.3, No.1: Allegro Assai-Adagio
2. Con in F, Op.3, No.1: Presto
3. Con in F, Op.3, No.1: Allegro
4. Con in a, Op.3, No.2: Presto-Adagio
5. Con in a, Op.3, No.2: Allegro
6. Con in a, Op.3, No.2: Allegro
7. Con in e, Op.3, No.3: Allegro
8. Con in e, Op.3, No.3: Largo
9. Con in e, Op.3, No.3: Presto
10. Con in e, Op.3, No.3: Presto
11. Con in B flat, Op.3, No.4: Allegro
12. Con in B flat, Op.3, No.4: Adagio
13. Con in B flat, Op.3, No.4: Presto
14. Con in B flat, Op.3, No.4: Allegro
15. Con in d, Op.3, No.5: Adagio
16. Con in d, Op.3, No.5: Allegro
17. Con in d, Op.3, No.5: Andante E Piano Sempre-Adagio
18. Con in d, Op.3, No.5: Allegro
19. Con in D, Op.3, No.6: Allegro
20. Con in D, Op.3, No.6: Adagio-Presto-Adagio
21. Con in D, Op.3, No.6: Allegro
22. Con in G, Op.3, No.7: Allegro
23. Con in G, Op.3, No.7: Adagio
24. Con in G, Op.3, No.7: Presto
25. Con in F, Op.8, No.8: Grave-Allegro
26. Con in F, Op.8, No.8: Adagio
27. Con in F, Op.8, No.8: Presto-Adagio
28. Con in F, Op.8, No.8: Presto
29. Con in D, Op.3, No.9: Adagio
30. Con in D, Op.3, No.9: Presto
31. Con in D, Op.3, No.9: Largo
32. Con in D, Op.3, No.9: Allegro
33. Con in g, Op.3, No.10: Adagio
34. Con in g, Op.3, No.10: Allegro
35. Con in g, Op.3, No.10: Largo
36. Con in g, Op.3, No.10: Presto
37. Con in c, Op.3, No.11: Allegro
38. Con in c, Op.3, No.11: Adagio
39. Con in c, Op.3, No.11: Allegro
40. Con in C, Op.3, No.12 (Con Grosso Per Il Santissimo Natale): Pastorale: Largo
41. Con in C, Op.3, No.12 (Con Grosso Per Il Santissimo Natale): Largo
42. Con in C, Op.3, No.12 (Con Grosso Per Il Santissimo Natale): Allegro

Customer Reviews:

A little known treasure.......2007-06-08

I really enjoy the Capella Istropolitana. They have such a wonderful and bright sound. I find the works on this CD to be well played and the tempo selection for each movement very good. I listen to Baroque on my daily commute to and from work. I have a particular affinity for Italian Baroque and Manfredini does not disappoint me. He has nice melodic Concerti Grossi. This is a very pleasant and uplifting CD.

Sparkling Music.......2007-03-15

In the 1990s the Capella Istropolitana recorded for Naxos all, or nearly all,the concerti grossi of Corelli, Geminiani, Locatelli and Manfredini. The Corelli was pretty good, you used to hear it on classic music radio, the Geminiana and Locatelli recordings were less so, but all were good enough to interest me so that in later years I bought better recordings of all of them. This CD, the Manfredini, was the most successful of them. The recording is of the twelve concerti grossi of his opus 3, just about all of his surviving work. Each of the twelve is a little gem, tuneful, joyful music that sparkles like the morning sun on dew. The performance is unprentious, but precise and articulate, and the first and only ( ? )recording of this music. If my memory is correct the CD won a Rosette from Penguin. It is well worth 5 stars, and at Naxos's bargain price is a steal, please buy it, it may spur your interest in the wonderful world of Baroque music.

Manfredini is 'da MAN! So Underrated his works are!!!.......2004-11-18

WOW WOW WOW!

I love rhythmic baroque music. Such as Vivaldi's presto's and Telemann's Sinfonia Spritiuosa. But we've all heard of Viv and Tele, and Bach etc... Then I hapt across (thank to the internet) this dude named Francesco Onofrio MANFREDINI! This guy is awesome. The strings bounce and move with rhythmic strength and joy from end to end of this steller 18th century master.

I hope I'm not missing out on any other Baroque composer's at this level. After all I just hapt across the one, the only, the MAN! Manfredini and this groovin' Concerti Grossi, Op.3!!! Hmm now to search for opus 1,2,4,....

And did I mention it was $7 bucks! Absolutely hilarious they want $17.00 for the latest brittney spears CD and only $7 for this timeless masterwork of sonic beauty by Manfredini.

Vivaldi with a touch of Mozart.......2003-06-25

How Manfredini could remain unknown after composing music this beautiful is both a mystery and a shame. The concerti are very reminiscent of Vivaldi, but with a melodic refinement and sensitivity that belong to a later era. The performance is outstanding, and the recording is crystal clear. Highly recommended for any music lover, and note that [Amazon.com's]sample tracks are just a foretaste - the best numbers are later in the CD.

Unsung Baroque Master.......1999-10-21

Manfredini is one of the unsung masters of the Italian Baroque. This recording is the first commitment of his complete and enchanting Opus 3 to CD. The concertos are energetic and polished and showcase the considerable melodic gifts of this fine composer. The 12th concerto will be familiar to many as the "Christmas" concerto which is a fine and beautifully crafted finale to the opus. Let us hope more of Manfredini's music will soon make its way into recordings.

Average customer rating: One of my favorites! Conerti Grossi Op 6 I think that this is a wonderfull compolation of music! Beautiful, fresh, intense, serene.

Corelli: Concerti Grossi, Op.6 Manufacturer: Decca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Corelli | Corelli, Arcangelo | ( C ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Concerto Grossi | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Marriner, Sir Neville | ( M ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Violin Sonatas Op 5 Albinoni: The Complete Concertos Op. 9; Adagio For Organ And Strings Corelli: 12 Concerti grossi, op. 6 Telemann: The Six Paris Quartets Locatelli: Concerti Grossi, Op. 1, Nos. 7-12 ASIN: B00000425R Release Date: 1995-05-16

Tracks:

1. Concerto No 1 In D Major: Largo - Allegro
2. Concerto No 1 In D Major: Largo - Allegro
3. Concerto No 1 In D Major: Largo - Allegro
4. Concerto No 1 In D Major: Allegro
5. Concerto No 2 In F Major: Vivace - Allegro - Adagio - Vivace - Allegro - Largo andante
6. Concerto No 2 In F Major: Allegro
7. Concerto No 2 In F Major: Grave - Andante Largo - Allegro
8. Concerto No 3 In C Minor: Largo - Allegro
9. Concerto No 3 In C Minor: Grave - Vivace
10. Concerto No 3 In C Minor: Allegro
11. Concerto No. 4 In D Major: Adagio - Allegro
12. Concerto No. 4 In D Major: Adagio - Vivace
13. Concerto No. 4 In D Major: Allegro - Allegro
14. Concerto No. 5 In B Flat Major: Adagio - Allegro - Adagio
15. Concerto No. 5 In B Flat Major: Allegro
16. Concerto No. 5 In B Flat Major: Largo - Allegro
17. Concerto No. 6 In F Major: Adagio - Allegro
18. Concerto No. 6 In F Major: Largo - Vivace
19. Concerto No. 6 In F Major: Allegro

Tracks:

1. Concerto No 7 In D Major: Vivace - Allegro - Adagio
2. Concerto No 7 In D Major: Allegro
3. Concerto No 7 In D Major: Andante Largo - Allegro
4. Concerto No 7 In D Major: Vivace
5. Concerto No 8 In G Minor: Vivace - Allegro - Adagio
6. Concerto No 8 In G Minor: Adagio - Allegro - Adagio
7. Concerto No 8 In G Minor: Vivace
8. Concerto No 8 In G Minor: Allegro
9. Concerto No 8 In G Minor: Largo (Pastorale ad libitum)
10. Concerto No. 9 In F major: Preludio: Largo
11. Concerto No. 9 In F major: Allemanda: Allegro
12. Concerto No. 9 In F major: Corrente: Vivace
13. Concerto No. 9 In F major: Gavotta: Allegro
14. Concerto No. 9 In F major: Adagio - Minuetto: Vivace
15. Concerto No. 10 In C Major: Preludio: Largo
16. Concerto No. 10 In C Major: Allemanda: Allegro
17. Concerto No. 10 In C Major: Adagio - Corrente: Vivace
18. Concerto No. 10 In C Major: Allegro
19. Concerto No. 10 In C Major: Minuetto: Vivace
20. Concerto No. 11 In B Flat Major: Preludio: Andante Largo
21. Concerto No. 11 In B Flat Major: Allemanda: Allegro
22. Concerto No. 11 In B Flat Major: Adagio - Andante Largo - Sarabanda: Largo
23. Concerto No. 11 In B Flat Major: Giga: Vivace
24. Concerto No. 12 In F Major: Preludio: Adagio
25. Concerto No. 12 In F Major: Allegro
26. Concerto No. 12 In F Major: Adagio - Sarabanda: Vivace
27. Concerto No. 12 In F Major: Giga: Vivace

Customer Reviews:

One of my favorites!.......2001-06-21

I purchased this CD when I was looking for an addition to my library in the Baroque section. This music is an example of the very finest in Baroque composition and is well interpreted by St Martin in the Field. Number one of the two CD's that I received was stolen along with my portable player. I was so impressed by the music that I ordered another package even though it resulted in a duplicate of #2. As I write this I am listening to the CD and can only be amazed by both the beauty of the music and the deliciously rich presentation by the orchestral strings.

Conerti Grossi Op 6.......2000-10-27

There are many ways to enjoy the music on this CD. As with many recordings from the Baroque era this one makes great wallpaper. I find that hearing it while I do other things brightens my day without being intrusive. Although ambient music is usually credited as a product of the twentieth century, I find that this music also creates a delightful ambience. On the level of musical history, Arcangelo Corelli (1653-1713) is an interesting composer. Handel and Locatelli are some of his more famous students. The Brandenburg Concertos reveal that Bach also was influenced by his music. Timothy A. Smith identifies Corelli as a "critical link in the evolution of the Baroque concerto grosso and sonata formats." He is credited as a master of the trio sonata which became the source of the Classical era symphonic form. A pioneer of violin technique and originator of synchronized bowing in an orchestra, he was hailed as the greatest virtuoso of the violin in his time because of his technical mastery. In modern vernacular, he was a "Rock Star". Corelli's place in history makes this music interesting to me, knowing that he was held in high esteem by great composers. This is not to suggest that the music is uninteresting. I find that when I pay attention, I am amply rewarded. C.#3 in C minor has an arresting beginning with sustained chords which remind me of some of Haydn's symphonies. C.#10 in C major breaks with tradition as it contains five movements. This may not seem scandalous to us three centuries removed, however, these types of details provoked prolonged and acrimonious dispute, according Christopher Hogwood who wrote the notes. He writes that a notorious scandal erupted when, in one of Corelli's Opus 2 trios, it was suspected he had used consecutive fifths. Both the Preludio and Adagio are grand and the Allegro approaches a frenetic pace. C#9 in F major introduces the Adagio with a lilting melody on a theorbo (lute). All of the Concerti are great, even so, these are the ones I enjoy the most. You may find others which you enjoy. If you are interested in one of the greatest composers of the Baroque period or in music which is pleasent, this CD will be interesting to you.

I think that this is a wonderfull compolation of music!.......1999-02-04

I think that this recording is great! I enjoy playing many of these same works in the orchestra that I am in! I strongly recomend it to anyone!

Beautiful, fresh, intense, serene........1998-11-28

I'm not really educated when it comes to classical music. I just know what I like. This recording of Arcangelo Corelli is absolutely astounding! Each and every piece on both disks is superb. It's soothing and yet alive.

#10 Grave - Andante Largo is oh so short, but soulfully melodious and intricate.

The violeins in #14 Allemanda: Allegro are crisp and clean.

#15 Corrente: Vivace is elegant.

If you like Vivaldi and Scarlatti you will like these two disk. Well worth every penny.

Average customer rating: 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 Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Mendelssohn: Complete Symphonies Leif Ove Andsnes ~ Haydn - Piano Sonatas Concert for the Prince of Poland Handel: Complete Violin Sonatas Haydn: The London Symphonies, Vol. 2 ASIN: B00006IQFK Release Date: 2002-09-10

Customer Reviews:

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.

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!

Average customer rating: Excellent and economical

Handel: Water Music; Music for the Royal Fireworks; Concerti Grossi (Box Set) Manufacturer: Brilliant Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Handel | Handel, George Frideric | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Concerto Grossi | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Academy of St. Martin in the Fields | ( A ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Brilliant Classics | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: Haydn: The London Symphonies, Vol. 1 Haydn: The London Symphonies, Vol. 2 Nikolai Miaskovsky: Cello Concerto; Cello Sonatas 1 & 2 Handel: Concerti Grossi, Op 3 /Tafelmusik * Lamon Wagner: Extracts from the operas ASIN: B0000D1FCR Release Date: 2003-09-30

Customer Reviews:

Excellent and economical.......2007-05-30

I was very pleased with this box set from Brilliant Classics. The sound quality is excellent and the performances are also very fine. Note to potential buyers - this is not a period-instrument performance. I am not a particular fan of those, so this set was ideal for my tastes.

Average customer rating: relaxing classical music NOT Wonderfull Baroque Corelli and his interpreters go for the real thing Manze stretches period performance - but not enough

Geminiani: Concerti Grossi (after Corelli Op 5) /AAM * Manze Francesco Geminiani , Arcangelo Corelli , Andrew Manze , Richard Egarr , The Academy of Ancient Music , David Watkins , and Rachel Podger Manufacturer: Harmonia Mundi Fr. ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Corelli | Corelli, Arcangelo | ( C ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Geminiani | Geminiani, Francesco | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Concerto Grossi | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music | Requiems Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Classical | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: Albinoni - 12 Concertos, op. 9 / Manze, de Bruine, AAM, Hogwood Pandolfi: Complete Violin Sonatas Uccellini - Sonatas / Romanesca - Manze · North · Toll Violin Sonatas Op 5 Handel - Concerti grossi, op. 6 / AAM · Manze ASIN: B00004UFDB Release Date: 2000-09-12

Tracks:

1. I Grave/Allegro/Adagio
2. II Allegro
3. III Largo
4. IV Allegro
5. I Grave
6. II Allegro
7. III Vivace
8. IV Adagio
9. V Vivace
10. I Adagio
11. II Allegro
12. III Adagio
13. IV Allegro
14. I Adagio
15. II Allegro
16. III Vivace
17. IV Adagio
18. V Allegro
19. I Adagio
20. II Vivace
21. III Adagio
22. IV Allegro
23. I Adagio
24. II Allegro
25. III Adagio
26. IV Allegro
27. I Preludio - David Watkin
28. II Giga - David Watkin
29. III Adagio - David Watkin
30. IV Tempo Di Gavotta - David Watkin

Tracks:

1. I Preludio
2. II Corrente
3. III Sarabanda
4. IV Giga
5. I Preludio
6. II Allemanda
7. III Sarabanda
8. IV Giga
9. I Preludio
10. II Giga
11. III Adagio
12. IV Tempo Di Gavotta
13. I Preludio
14. II Allemanda
15. III Sarabanda
16. IV Gavotta
17. V Giga
18. I Preludio
19. II Allegro
20. II Adagio
21. IV Vivace
22. V Gavotta
23. Theme & Variations 1-8
24. Variations 9-14
25. Variations 15-25
26. I Andante
27. II Presto
28. III Adagio
29. IV Allegro

Amazon.com

Francesco Geminiani (born 1687 in Lucca, Italy; died 1762 in Dublin), a pupil of Corelli and one of the greatest violinists of his day, wrote a lot of music for his instrument, as well as a treatise on playing it. He made the orchestration of these 12 sonatas in tribute to his teacher, who would certainly have been proud if he had lived to hear them. Going far beyond mere arrangements, they seem to explore and reveal latent or unrealized intentions, adding sonorities and contrapuntal voices, enhancing character and expression. The most striking example is the famous "La Follia," where the usually hidden drama is suddenly released with a tumultuous virtuosity that foreshadows Liszt's orchestral version of Schubert's Wanderer Fantasy. The playing is stunning. Tuned a half-tone down, the strings have a lovely, pure, transparent sound that supports and surrounds the soloist with a warm shimmer; the long notes float, the fast movements are crisp and light, the rhythm and counterpoint are clear. Andrew Manze, who also writes informative, entertaining program notes, plays with spectacular virtuosity, a beautiful tone, and all-out expressive abandon and imagination, letting loose cascades of infinitely varied, inventive ornamentation. The second disc features the easier, more familiar sonatas, loved by all violin students, but transformed here into brilliant concertos. One of them is added to the first disc in Geminiani's ornamented version for violin and cello, while a cello sonata by Geminiani himself closes the program, perhaps a miscalculation, since the music is distinctly inferior to Corelli's. --Edith Eisler

Customer Reviews:

relaxing classical music NOT.......2007-02-23

in london on that cold rainey tuesday night i saw andrew play some of these selections
he brought the house down or i should say the wren church
like a rock star in a way
he was covered in sweat
i love music
all music played with passion
i have fantasies
a young music group
outside the local classical music station
all relaxing all the time
they call the press those young musicians
we are so very passionate declares the young violinist
themes and variations 25
from geminiani's remiz of corelli
and they play their heart out
and maybe the tv station has a music lover
he loves jimmi at woodstock playing the national anthem
the smiths how soon is now
U2 playing sunday bloody sunday sunday live in dublin
its the last story the only in san francisco story
and its played to its fullest
and the young players really show it off
that young vioinest really plays
and that sweat and passion
he even makes a woop
during the most passionate part
impresses the station manager who loves jimmi at woodstock
and morrisey
and U2 in dublin
wow

Wonderfull Baroque.......2007-02-01

As I heartily agree with Dan Grunfeld's review I can be brief. Corelli's opus 5, 12 sonatas for violin, with harpsichord or cello, set the standard for violin composition and playing for 100 years; his pupil and loving disciple, Geminiani, has carefully orchestrated and developed them into 12 concerti grossi, which doubles our pleasure, in no way does it make the original sonatas obsolete. Although I have sone reservations with some of Andrew Manze's recordings of Vivaldi and Bach violin concertos,he does a superb job in this recording. His recording of Handel's Opus 6, Mr Handels's Twelve Grand Concertos, more concerti grossi, is also excellent.

Corelli and his interpreters.......2006-05-10

As the reader may already know, the opus 5 violin sonatas of Corelli were the inspiration for this orchestral interpretation of them by Geminiani. As related by Manze in his album notes, Corelli chose the significant year 1700 to publish opus 5, and according to Manze, this represents a landmark in Italian baroque, for every composer who came after has had to reckon with these sonatas, and somehow find a way to equal (but not surpass) them in invention and creativity. Vivaldi composed his own version of "La Follia" (Sonata XII), arguably better than Corelli's; but many another of Vivaldi's sonatas, magnificent though they are, simply do not have the clarity, spirituality, grace, and lyricism of the Corelli opus 5. Geminiani, a student of Corelli, and arguably one of the greatest baroque violinists of his day, crafted these orchestral versions of the opus 5 as a tribute to his master. Manze rightly observes that these concertos are not simply orchestrations of opus 5, but actually extensions of it; they are variations to some extent, creative expansions and magnificent glosses on the originals. New points of emphasis are added, some phrasings are given a different turn, new counterpoint is introduced at various places in the score to enhance the subtle beauty of the originals. If you love the Italian baroque, you will not want to be without this gem. But as others have observed, don't neglect the original sonatas themselves. Manze has recorded his own inimitable version on Harmonia Mundi, and I strongly recommend it. But there are others as well. Elizabeth Wallfisch on the Hyperion Label has her own recording, slightly more subdued yet also smoother than Manze's. I strongly recommend that you buy as many versions of the opus 5 as you have the budget for (well, at least three!), starting with these orchestrations by Geminiani. They will teach you to love the originals. Look at them as perhaps a point of entrance into what many consider the greatest violin sonatas ever written.

go for the real thing.......2003-01-13

geminiani wrote some fine concerti in his career, but buyers should be aware that these 12 concerti grossi are actually geminiani's transcriptions for chamber orchestra of the 12 sonatas for violin and continuo, op.5, by his teacher, the roman composer archangelo corelli. (this explains the inclusion of two of the original corelli sonatas on the disc.) i am a great fan of both corelli and geminiani, and their mellifluous, elegant and sophisticated style of baroque music sounds great in any format ... but you may enjoy these sonatas more performed in their original versions.

Manze stretches period performance - but not enough.......2002-08-24

I am a dissident about "authentic instrument performance". I respect the commitment and skills of many of the practioners of this style of play. But I suggest that playing to audiences that have been dead for 250 years is an intellectual, not a musical idea.

Why turn our back on the glorious string tone evolved since 1700? Refitting instruments and using gut strings reduces a fine violin's projection capacity to that of a $500 student violin. This is progress? throughout history composers sought to maximize the impact of their music on audiences. They quickly adapted instrumental improvements as they became available. Did Beethoven frequently break hammers of his "Hammerklavier" because he was satisfied with the volume he was producing? Then why on earth abandon a resonant, responsive Steinway grand and play Beethoven sonatas on a pitiful fortepiano? It makes no esthetic sense. It is an insult to relegate a Vivaldi who electrified his audiences with bold new effects and dramatic flights of inspiration to the "ancient music" ghetto.

OK, back to Manze. Manze is technically gifted, and emotionally probably more in tune with Italian than English temperament. He allows greater expression than the quaint, contrived and mannered styles of the Keuken brothers or the Camerata Koln - but I still bet that if Antonio Vivaldi came back, heard Solisti Italiani playing his works in a tasteful but full-blooded "living tradition style" letting his inspiration be realized for the new age, and then heard Manze, he might well do a Peter Townshend and smash Manze's violin for him.

Average customer rating:

Locatelli: Concerti Grossi, Op. 1, Nos. 7-12 Manufacturer: Naxos ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Locatelli, Pietro Antonio | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Concerto Grossi | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music CDs Under $7 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music 4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Locatelli: Concerti Grossi, Op. 1, Nos. 1-6 Manfredini: CONCERTI GROSSI OP. 3 Nos. 1-12 Geminiani: Concerti Grossi Vol. 1 Muffat: Concerti Grossi, Nos. 1-6 Muffat: Concerti Grossi, Nos. 7-12 ASIN: B00000148T Release Date: 1996-11-05

Tracks:

1. Concert Grosso No. 7 In F Major: Allegro
2. Concert Grosso No. 7 In F Major: Largo
3. Concert Grosso No. 7 In F Major: Allegro
4. Concerto Grosso No. 8 In F Minor: Largo - Grave - Vivace
5. Concerto Grosso No. 8 In F Minor: Grave
6. Concerto Grosso No. 8 In F Minor: Largo - Andante
7. Concerto Grosso No. 8 In F Minor: Andante
8. Concerto Grosso No. 8 In F Minor: Pastorale
9. Concerto Grosso No. 9 In D Major: Allegro
10. Concerto Grosso No. 9 In D Major: Largo
11. Concerto Grosso No. 9 In D Major: Allemanda: Allegro
12. Concerto Grosso No. 9 In D Major: Sarabanda: Largo
13. Concerto Grosso No. 9 In D Major: Allegro
14. Concerto Grosso No. 10 In C Major: Largo
15. Concerto Grosso No. 10 In C Major: Allemanda: Allegro
16. Concerto Grosso No. 10 In C Major: Largo - Andante
17. Concerto Grosso No. 10 In C Major: Vivace
18. Concerto Grosso No. 11 In C Minor: Largo
19. Concerto Grosso No. 11 In C Minor: Allemanda: Allegro
20. Concerto Grosso No. 11 In C Minor: Sarabanda: Largo
21. Concerto Grosso No. 11 In C Minor: Gigue: Allegro
22. Concerto Grosso No. 12 In G Minor: Largo
23. Concerto Grosso No. 12 In G Minor: Allemanda
24. Concerto Grosso No. 12 In G Minor: Sarabanda
25. Concerto Grosso No. 12 In G Minor: Presto
26. Concerto Grosso No. 12 In G Minor: Gavotta

Average customer rating: Bright, energetic and lively Baroque Volume 2 of Corelli Concerti Grossi, Op.6 as fine as Volume 1!!! My high praise for Volume 1 applies here too! baroque beauty

Corelli: Concerti Grossi Op. 6, Nos. 7-12 Manufacturer: Naxos ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Corelli | Corelli, Arcangelo | ( C ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Concerto Grossi | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music 4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Corelli: Concerti Grossi Op. 6, Nos. 1 - 6 Manfredini: CONCERTI GROSSI OP. 3 Nos. 1-12 Geminiani: Concerti Grossi Vol. 1 Locatelli: Concerti Grossi, Op. 1, Nos. 1-6 Locatelli: Concerti Grossi, Op. 1, Nos. 7-12 ASIN: B00002604A Release Date: 1994-02-15

Tracks:

1. Vivace - Allegro
2. Concerto No. 7 In D Major: Adagio
3. Concerto No. 7 In D Major: Allegro
4. Concerto No. 7 In D Major: Andante largo
5. Concerto No. 7 In D Major: Allegro
6. Concerto No. 7 In D Major: Vivace
7. Concerto No. 8 In G Minor 'Christmas Concerto': Vivace - Grave
8. Concerto No. 8 In G Minor 'Christmas Concerto': Allegro
9. Concerto No. 8 In G Minor 'Christmas Concerto': Adagio - Allegro - Adagio
10. Concerto No. 8 In G Minor 'Christmas Concerto': Vivace
11. Concerto No. 8 In G Minor 'Christmas Concerto': Allegro
12. Concerto No. 8 In G Minor 'Christmas Concerto': Pastorale ad Libiturn: Largo
13. Concerto No. 9 In F major: Preludio: Largo
14. Concerto No. 9 In F major: Allemanda: Allegro
15. Concerto No. 9 In F major: Corrente: Vivace
16. Concerto No. 9 In F major: Gavotta: Allegro
17. Concerto No. 9 In F major: Adagio
18. Concerto No. 9 In F major: Minuetto: Vivace
19. Concerto No. 10 In C Major: Preludio: Andante largo
20. Concerto No. 10 In C Major: Allemanda: Allegro
21. Concerto No. 10 In C Major: Adagio
22. Concerto No. 10 In C Major: Corrente: Vivace
23. Concerto No. 10 In C Major: Allegro
24. Concerto No. 10 In C Major: Minuetto: Vivace
25. Concerto No. 11 In B Flat Major: Preludio: Andante largo
26. Concerto No. 11 In B Flat Major: Allemanda: Allegro
27. Concerto No. 11 In B Flat Major: Adagio
28. Concerto No. 11 In B Flat Major: Andante largo
29. Concerto No. 11 In B Flat Major: Sarabanda: Largo
30. Concerto No. 11 In B Flat Major: Giga: Vivace
31. Concerto No. 12 In F Major: Preludio: Adagio
32. Concerto No. 12 In F Major: Allegro
33. Concerto No. 12 In F Major: Adagio
34. Concerto No. 12 In F Major: Sarabanda: Vivace
35. Concerto No. 12 In F Major: Giga: Allegro

Customer Reviews:

Bright, energetic and lively Baroque.......2007-06-08

I really enjoy the Capella Istropolitana. They have such a wonderful and bright sound. I find the works on this CD to be well played and the tempo selection for each movement very good. I listen to Baroque on my daily commute to and from work. I have a particular affinity for Italian Baroque, so I very much enjoy listening to the man who influenced so many other composers of the period. Great CD and an invaluable addition to your Italian Baroque collection.

Volume 2 of Corelli Concerti Grossi, Op.6 as fine as Volume 1!!!.......2005-12-26

As I wrote in my review of Volume 1, Corelli's Concerti Grossi, Op.6 created a sensation when they were written, influenced composers like Handel in the composition of his Concerti Grossi, Op.6, and have won raves up until today.

The performances Corelli's Concerti Grossi, Opus 6, nos. 7-12, by the Capella Istropolitana under conductor Krchek, are as fine as their performances of the first six Corelli Concerti Grossi. These performances, which are played on modern instruments, are the ones I personally prefer: They are incisively and beautifully played, follow performance practice, are very rich and warm sounding. Whether you opt for modern or period instruments is a matter of taste. (I own two recordings of period performances of the Corelli Opus 6 Concerti Grossi which are very fine: Pinnock/English Concert, and Goodman/Brandenburg Consort.) This is glorious, wonderfully affecting music I wouldn't want to be without. I choose to leave the modern versus authentic instrument debate to others.

My high praise for Volume 1 applies here too!.......2005-11-29

My high praise for Volume 1 of Capella Istropolitana/Jaroslav Krechek of Corelli's Opus 6 Concerti grossi applies here, too.
For details, check out my review of Volume 1. I recommend interested listeners who like Corelli to get both volumes, as sound and playing are excellent.

You can't go wrong with this: highly recommended!

baroque beauty.......2004-03-21

This is seamless, glorious baroque music in a splendid performance; The melodies are lovely, and the way the instruments are combined is a thing of constant beauty. As it is stated in the liner notes, "The surviving compositions of Arcangelo Corelli (1653-1713) are relatively few in number but disproportionately far-reaching in influence", proving once again that it is quality not quantity that matters, and his 12 Concerti Grossi Op. 6, are some of the most exquisite pieces from that time period, and ones that were to inspire the music of future generations.

The Capella Istropolitana are musicians from the Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra, that started as a chamber group in 1983, and now have grown in size to perform and record the Mozart and Haydn symphonies, Vivaldi, Bach, and much more.
Jaroslav Krecek is an award-winning composer as well as conductor, and has led the Capella for many years.
Recorded in 1990, the sound is clear and crisp, and total playing time 65'45.

Average customer rating: 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 Handel | Handel, George Frideric | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Concerto Grossi | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: George Frideric Handel: Concerti Grossi Opus 3 Vivaldi: L'estro Armonico Corelli: 12 Concerti grossi, op. 6 Berlioz: Complete Orchestral Works 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:

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.

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.

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.

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.

Average customer rating: buy the dyad version on Hyperion 2 for the price of one Moves in the wrong direction Hitherto unknown to me A Fine Baroque Release (from a relatively unknown composer) great

Avison: 12 Concerti Grossi after Sonatas by Domenico Scarlatti (English Orpheus, Vol 28) /The Brandenburg Consort * Goodman Charles Avison , Roy Goodman , and The Brandenburg Consort Manufacturer: Hyperion ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Harpsichord | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Classical | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: Charles Avison: Twelve Concertos, Op. 6 ASIN: B000002ZYA Release Date: 1995-01-17

Tracks:

1. Con No.1 in A: Adagio
2. Con No.1 in A: Allegro
3. Con No.1 in A: Amoroso
4. Con No.1 in A: Allegro
5. Con No. 2 in G: Largo
6. Con No. 2 in G: Allegro
7. Con No.2 in G: Andante
8. Con No.2 in G: Vivace
9. Con No.3 in d: Largo Andante
10. Con No.3 in d: Allegro Spiritoso
11. Con No.3 in d: Vivace
12. Con No.3 in d: Allegro
13. Con No.4 in a: Andante
14. Con No.4 in a: Allegro
15. Con No.4 in a: Largo
16. Con No.4 in a: Vivace
17. Con No.5 in d: Largo
18. Con No.5 in d: Allegro
19. Con No.5 in d: Andante Moderato
20. Con No.5 in d: Allegro
21. Con No.6 in D: Largo (Unknown)
22. Con No.6 in D: Con Furia
23. Con No.6 in D: Adagio
24. Con No.6 in D: Vivacemente

Tracks:

1. Con No.7 in g: Adagio
2. Con No.7 in g: Allegro
3. Con No.7 in g: Adagio
4. Con No.7 in g: Allegro Affettuoso
5. Con No.8 in e: Adagio
6. Con No.8 in e: Allegro
7. Con No.8 in e: Amoroso
8. Con No.8 in e: Vivace
9. Con No.9 in C: Largo
10. Con No.9 in C: con Spirito/Andante
11. Con No.9 in C: Siciliana
12. Con No.9 in C: Allegro
13. Con No.10 in D: Grazioso
14. Con No.10 in D: Allegro
15. Con No.10 in D: Adagio
16. Con No.10 in D: Giga (Allegro)
17. Con No.1: in G: Con Affetto
18. Con No.11 in G: Allegro
19. Con No.11 in G: Andante Moderato
20. Con No.11 in G: Vivacemente
21. Con No.12 in D: Grave temporegiato
22. Con No.12 in D: Largo Tempo Giusto
23. Con No.12 in D: Allegro Spiritoso
24. Con No.12 in D: Lentemente
25. Con No.12 in D: Temporegiato
26. Con No.12 in D: Allegro

Amazon.com

In the days before composers were protected by copyright laws, publishers, players, and other composers could steal whatever music they liked and pass it off as their own. Some of them, however, were slightly more honest, and others, like Avison, both honest and commercially astute. Scarlatti's 30 keyboard sonatas created a sensation when they were published in England. So Avison took them and arranged them as concertos for strings, thereby bringing the music to a wider public. In making these arrangements, Avison completely recomposed much of the music, adding his own ideas where necessary to create a balanced concerto form. The result is a fresh, entertaining collection, vivaciously performed here on "authentic" instruments. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

buy the dyad version on Hyperion 2 for the price of one.......2007-01-21

this is a great recording, and now it's coming on the dyad 2X1 on Hyperion, so wait a little bit and get it for $20.

Moves in the wrong direction.......2005-05-07

Sure, Avison was a nice guy to credit Domenico Scarlatti as the source for his arrangements--or else callously exploitative--there was no copyright in the 18th century. But Avison's concerti are definitely arrangements of, not original compositions based on, Scarlatti's sonatas. This is not Stravinsky-Pergolesi but Mussorgsky-Ravel, only with a much less talented version of Ravel.

Avison's arrangements smooth out (dumb down) the rhythmic and harmonic originality of the originals. Avison's versions make nice background music, but anyone interested in the ragged edges of the most original composer of the 18th century should listen to any solo keyboard rendition (say Pieter-Jan Belder's) of Scarlatti's K. 26 and compare it to the insipid version of Davison's Concerto #1, movement 4.

Avison's quest to make things too easy for the listener is only half of what I criticise. Another reviewer noted that Bach transcribed or took themes from his contemporaries. Think hard: how many of Bach's transcriptions or Fugues based on Vivaldi or Albinoni or Reinken can you remember? They are student works, steppingstones on the way to great original music like the Italian Concerto.

Sometimes a tight transcription of a work to a more restricted medium is good. The best performance I've ever heard of Mozart's Seranade in G, K 525 (Eine Kleine Nachtmusik) is that by the Guarneri Quartet with Bassist Julius Levine--one to a part! It's tight in a way no orchestra can ever achieve. But imagine Beethoven's C major Rasoumovsky Quartet IV, or whatever YOUR favorite quartet movement might be. Now imagine it played by a symphony string section. No matter if the conductor is Furtwaengler or whoever, the orchestra can never achieve the precision of one to a part.

Scarlatti wrote these sonatas for a solo keyboard player. They exploit the possibilities of the instruments (both harpsichord and Florentine piano) and the precision a single player can provide (yeah, listen again to Avison #1, IV--he calls it "Allegro" but Scarlatti called for "Presto").

So why do I give this recording 4 stars? The performance is excellent. I'd pay to hear that violinist do SOLO arrangements of Scarlatti sonatas that kept that solo edge. If you like well-shaped baroque string orchestral music with distinctive themes, this performance is excellent. But if you want to get with the most original genius of the generation of 1685, listen instead to a solo performance by piano, guitar, harpsichord that can recreate Scarlattispace.

Hitherto unknown to me.......2002-03-05

I am especially fond of baroque style classical. Avison was, prior to my Christmas purchase of this set, unknown to me. I like these very much.

More than Bach? Mozart? Telemann? Hard to say, inasmuch as I have decades of familiarity with them. As well? Absolutely.

A Fine Baroque Release (from a relatively unknown composer).......2002-02-12

Hyperion is a great label for unearthing little-known Baroque gems, and Roy Goodman (with his Brandenburg Consort) comes through again with their recording of Charles Avison's 12 Concerti Grossi (1744).

Avison, a fine English composer, based his concertos on sonatas by Domenico Scarlatti (another Baroque composer). But Avison was by no means a plagerist. It wasn't uncommon for Baroque composers to build upon or rearrange the works of their contemporaries (Bach did this with some of Vivaldi's compositions). Here, Avison took Scarlatti's musical ideas and 'ran with them,' so to speak. The result: beautiful music that embodies the Baroque period.

These 12 concertos are stately and elegant, and rank right up there with the works of Bach, Handel, and Vivaldi. Unfortunately, this 2-disc set is also expensive, so unless you love Baroque music, I'd focus on Bach, Vivaldi, etc., before purchasing these discs. But if you're interested in rounding out your Baroque collection, I would definitely recommend this exceptional recording.

great.......2001-04-23

What makes this recording by the Brandenburg Consort wonderfully unique is the fact that the pieces are played on period-instruments versus more modern strings. This attention to detail gives this reading of Charles Avisons'works a wonderful resonance; indeed, Goodman's version had much life to it, as the faster movements are played with great spirit. The drawback of the recording, to some, is that some of the slower movements come across as a quite choppy. I personally do not feel that way, taking into consideration that Avison's linear writing style inherently makes the slower movements not as smooth as the faster movements. It does not detract from the overall feel from this fine recording.

Meant more for the purists who would rather hear authentic period instruments, this cd is still highly recommended for those seeking out great Baroque period works. A wonderful disc.

Track Listings:

1. Cowell: Persian Set/Goeb: Symphony No.3/Weber: Blake Symphony
2. Daniel-Lesur: Andrea del Sarto; Constant: Essays for Orchestra...
3. de Leeuw: ANTIGONE
4. Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau Sings Bach (BWV. Nos. 56 & 82)
5. Edgar Allan Poe Suite: Horror Express [Soundtrack]
6. Elgar: Pomp & circumstance marches Nos. 1-5; Froissart; Cockaigne
7. Elgar: Symphony No. 2 / Cockaigne Overture / Dream Children No. 1
8. Extraordinary Vistas: Words and Music of The MacDowell Colony
9. Four Full Flutes - Flute Works
10. Giant of Thunder Mountain [Soundtrack]

Track Listings

track listings

Track Listings

18 Monkeys On A Dead Man's Chest

Charles Dickens: Oliver Twist [Box set]

Chicago Blues, Vol. 1

Vanity of Venus

Club Gabardino

Christina Millian [Import]

Duets II

Bizet: L'Arlesienne Suites 1 & 2/Carmen Suites 1 & 2

Common Sense

Compact Jazz: Stan Getz With Strings

Dream Mixes, Vol. 4

Extended Versions [Live]

Cyber Trance Presents Executive Trance [Import]

Give Him the Glory

Ugetsu