Bach & Handel with Organ

J. S. BACH

Trio Sonatas for Organ nos 1- 6

Reine-Marie Verhagen (recorder) Tini Mathot (keyboards)

Challenge Records CHL 72314

These are pleasant arrangements (as it is supposed Bach might have done).

Without the tension generated by two hands and two feet to get round this not-easy music, the results here are a tad cool to my taste. Mathot alternates chamber organ and harpsichord sonata by sonata, which gives a little textural relief. The notes give endorsement of the project by Ton Koopman

[hear samples at http://www.classicsonline.com/catalogue/product.aspx?pid=730125]

HANDEL
Organ Concertos, Op. 4

Concerto in G minor op. 4 no. 3 HMV 291
Concerto in B Flat major op. 4 no. 2 HMV 290
Concerto in G minor op. 4 no. 1 HMV 289
Concerto in F major op. 4 no. 5 HMV 293
Concerto in B-flat major op. 4 no. 6 HMV 294
Concerto in F major op. 4 no. 4 HMV 292

Accademia Bizantina/Ottavio Dantone, solo organ & conductor

Decca 4781465

In contrast with the disc reviewed above, this one sparkles with the delight that made Handel's performances of these concertos during oratorio intervals the hit of the day.

Recycling was not anathema, and some of the movements will be familiar in other guises (No 5 is a reworking of the recorder sonata op 1/11).

The chamber organ in Dresden sounds ideal, especially for those of us who remember some of Handel's concertos being given at the Albert Hall with full sonority.

Recommended for sophisticated entertainment; we have been enjoying them with our meals.

Peter Grahame Woolf