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An uncommonly fresh Handel disc in live recording from Cleveland. This American group has vitality without overdoing "energy" as their chief mark of identity, which sometimes becomes tiring with some top European early music groups. The numbers are smallish,with a choir of under 40 (Handel had 50 singers and about 160 instrumentalists for Zadok the Priest !) and fresh, eager soloists. There is a sense of air around the musicians which lightens the whole effect, and the programme is carefully chosen for contrast. The annotation (in good sized print, black on glossy white) is by director, harpsichordist & organist Jeanette Sorrell, and it leaves me keen to hear her Messiah and Vespers 1610, works which have been duplicated on disc too often... Peter Grahame Woolf |
