Immerse yourself in the timeless elegance of George Frideric Handel's "Handel: The Organ Concertos," a masterful collection of 60 tracks that encapsulate the essence of Baroque brilliance. Released in 1984 under the prestigious Archiv Produktion label, this album spans an impressive 2 hours and 41 minutes, offering a comprehensive journey through Handel's most celebrated organ concertos.
The album features a stunning array of compositions, including the renowned Organ Concerto in G Minor, Op. 4 No. 1, HWV 289, and the enchanting Harp Concerto in B-Flat Major, Op. 4 No. 6, HWV 294. Each piece is a testament to Handel's unparalleled ability to blend intricate melodies with profound emotional depth, showcasing his genius in both choral and operatic genres.
Performed by the esteemed Simon Preston, The English Concert, and conducted by the acclaimed Trevor Pinnock, this recording is a triumph of historical performance practice. The ensemble's meticulous attention to detail and expressive nuance brings Handel's compositions to life, offering listeners an authentic and captivating experience.
From the lively Allegro movements to the serene Adagios, the album's diverse repertoire highlights Handel's versatility and innovation. The inclusion of the Organ Concerto in F Major, HWV 295 "Cuckoo and the Nightingale," adds a touch of whimsy and charm, showcasing Handel's playful side.
Whether you're a seasoned classical enthusiast or a newcomer to Baroque music, "Handel: The Organ Concertos" is a must-listen. This album is not just a collection of tracks; it's a celebration of Handel's enduring legacy and a testament to the timeless beauty of classical music.
Organ Concerto in G Minor, Op. 4 No. 1, HWV 289: I. Larghetto e staccatoGeorge Frideric Handel, Simon Preston, The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock
Organ Concerto in G Minor, Op. 4 No. 1, HWV 289: II. AllegroGeorge Frideric Handel, Simon Preston, The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock
Organ Concerto in G Minor, Op. 4 No. 1, HWV 289: III. AdagioGeorge Frideric Handel, Simon Preston, The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock
Organ Concerto in G Minor, Op. 4 No. 1, HWV 289: IV. AndanteGeorge Frideric Handel, Simon Preston, The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock
Organ Concerto in B-Flat Major, Op. 4 No. 2, HWV 290: I. A tempo ordinario e staccatoGeorge Frideric Handel, Simon Preston, The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock
Organ Concerto in B-Flat Major, Op. 4 No. 2, HWV 290: II. AllegroGeorge Frideric Handel, Simon Preston, The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock
Organ Concerto in B-Flat Major, Op. 4 No. 2, HWV 290: III. Adagio e staccatoGeorge Frideric Handel, Simon Preston, The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock
Organ Concerto in B-Flat Major, Op. 4 No. 2, HWV 290: IV. Allegro, ma non prestoGeorge Frideric Handel, Simon Preston, The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock
Organ Concerto in G Minor, Op. 4 No. 3, HWV 291: I. AdagioGeorge Frideric Handel, Simon Preston, Simon Standage, Anthony Pleeth, The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock
Organ Concerto in G Minor, Op. 4 No. 3, HWV 291: II. AllegroGeorge Frideric Handel, Simon Preston, Simon Standage, Anthony Pleeth, The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock
Organ Concerto in G Minor, Op. 4 No. 3, HWV 291: III. AdagioGeorge Frideric Handel, Simon Preston, Simon Standage, Anthony Pleeth, The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock
Organ Concerto in G Minor, Op. 4 No. 3, HWV 291: IV. Gavotte. AllegroGeorge Frideric Handel, Simon Preston, Simon Standage, Anthony Pleeth, The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock
Organ Concerto in F Major, Op. 4 No. 4, HWV 292: I. AllegroGeorge Frideric Handel, Simon Preston, The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock
Organ Concerto in F Major, Op. 4 No. 4, HWV 292: II. AndanteGeorge Frideric Handel, Simon Preston, The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock
Organ Concerto in F Major, Op. 4 No. 4, HWV 292: III. AdagioGeorge Frideric Handel, Simon Preston, The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock
Organ Concerto in F Major, Op. 4 No. 4, HWV 292: IV. Finale. AllegroGeorge Frideric Handel, Simon Preston, The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock
Organ Concerto in F Major, Op. 4 No. 5, HWV 293: I. LarghettoGeorge Frideric Handel, Simon Preston, The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock
Organ Concerto in F Major, Op. 4 No. 5, HWV 293: II. AllegroGeorge Frideric Handel, Simon Preston, The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock
Organ Concerto in F Major, Op. 4 No. 5, HWV 293: III. Alla sicilianaGeorge Frideric Handel, Simon Preston, The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock
Organ Concerto in F Major, Op. 4 No. 5, HWV 293: IV. PrestoGeorge Frideric Handel, Simon Preston, The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock
Harp Concerto in B-Flat Major, Op. 4 No. 6, HWV 294: I. Andante – AllegroGeorge Frideric Handel, Ursula Holliger, Trevor Pinnock, The English Concert
Harp Concerto in B-Flat Major, Op. 4 No. 6, HWV 294: II. LarghettoGeorge Frideric Handel, Ursula Holliger, Trevor Pinnock, The English Concert
Harp Concerto in B-Flat Major, Op. 4 No. 6, HWV 294: III. Allegro moderatoGeorge Frideric Handel, Ursula Holliger, Trevor Pinnock, The English Concert
Organ Concerto in B-Flat Major, Op. 7 No. 1, HWV 306: I. AndanteGeorge Frideric Handel, Simon Preston, The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock
Organ Concerto in B-Flat Major, Op. 7 No. 1, HWV 306: II. AndanteGeorge Frideric Handel, Simon Preston, The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock
Organ Concerto in B-Flat Major, Op. 7 No. 1, HWV 306: III. Largo e pianoGeorge Frideric Handel, Simon Preston, The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock
Organ Concerto in B-Flat Major, Op. 7 No. 1, HWV 306: IV. Fuga. AllegroGeorge Frideric Handel, Simon Preston, The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock
Organ Concerto in B-Flat Major, Op. 7 No. 1, HWV 306: IVa. Organo ad libitum. AdagioGeorge Frideric Handel, Simon Preston
Organ Concerto in B-Flat Major, Op. 7 No. 1, HWV 306: V. BourréeGeorge Frideric Handel, Simon Preston, The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock
Organ Concerto in A Major, Op. 7 No. 2, HWV 307: I. OuvertureGeorge Frideric Handel, Simon Preston, The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock
Organ Concerto in A Major, Op. 7 No. 2, HWV 307: II. A tempo ordinarioGeorge Frideric Handel, Simon Preston, The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock
Organ Concerto in A Major, Op. 7 No. 2, HWV 307: III. Organo ad libitum. LarghettoGeorge Frideric Handel, Simon Preston
Organ Concerto in A Major, Op. 7 No. 2, HWV 307: IV. AllegroGeorge Frideric Handel, Simon Preston, The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock
Organ Concerto in B-Flat Major, Op. 7 No. 3, HWV 308: I. AllegroGeorge Frideric Handel, Simon Preston, The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock
Organ Concerto in B-Flat Major, Op. 7 No. 3, HWV 308: II. Organo ad libitum. Adagio – FugaGeorge Frideric Handel, Simon Preston
Organ Concerto in B-Flat Major, Op. 7 No. 3, HWV 308: III. SpiritosoGeorge Frideric Handel, Simon Preston, The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock
Organ Concerto in B-Flat Major, Op. 7 No. 3, HWV 308: IV. MenuetGeorge Frideric Handel, Simon Preston, The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock
Organ Concerto in D Minor, Op. 7 No. 4, HWV 309: I. AdagioGeorge Frideric Handel, Simon Preston, Anthony Pleeth, Richard Webb, Alastair Mitchell, Felix Warnock, The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock
Organ Concerto in D Minor, Op. 7 No. 4, HWV 309: II. AllegroGeorge Frideric Handel, Simon Preston, Anthony Pleeth, Richard Webb, Alastair Mitchell, Felix Warnock, The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock
Organ Concerto in D Minor, Op. 7 No. 4, HWV 309: III. Organo ad libitum. Fuga. LarghettoGeorge Frideric Handel, Simon Preston
Organ Concerto in D Minor, Op. 7 No. 4, HWV 309: IV. AllegroGeorge Frideric Handel, Simon Preston, Anthony Pleeth, Richard Webb, Alastair Mitchell, Felix Warnock, The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock
Organ Concerto in G Minor, Op. 7 No. 5, HWV 310: I. Allegro ma non troppo e staccatoGeorge Frideric Handel, Simon Preston, The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock
Organ Concerto in G Minor, Op. 7 No. 5, HWV 310: III. Andante larghetto e staccatoGeorge Frideric Handel, Simon Preston, The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock
Organ Concerto in G Minor, Op. 7 No. 5, HWV 310: III. MenuetGeorge Frideric Handel, Simon Preston, The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock
Organ Concerto in G Minor, Op. 7 No. 5, HWV 310: IV. GavotteGeorge Frideric Handel, Simon Preston, The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock
Organ Concerto in B-Flat Major, Op. 7 No. 6, HWV 311: I. PomposoGeorge Frideric Handel, Simon Preston, The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock
Organ Concerto in B-Flat Major, Op. 7 No. 6, HWV 311: II. Organo ad libitum. Air. LentementGeorge Frideric Handel, Simon Preston
Organ Concerto in B-Flat Major, Op. 7 No. 6, HWV 311: III. A tempo ordinarioGeorge Frideric Handel, Simon Preston, The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock
Organ Concerto in F Major, HWV 295 "Cuckoo and the Nightingale": I. LarghettoGeorge Frideric Handel, Simon Preston, The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock
Organ Concerto in F Major, HWV 295 "Cuckoo and the Nightingale": II. AllegroGeorge Frideric Handel, Simon Preston, The English Concert, Trevor Pinnock
George Frideric Handel, born in 1685 in Halle, Germany, is one of the most celebrated composers of the Baroque era, renowned for his enduring influence on classical music. His prolific career spanned various genres, including operas, oratorios, anthems, and concerti grossi. Handel's compositions, such as the iconic 'Water Music' and 'Music for the Royal Fireworks', continue to captivate audiences today. After settling in London in 1712, he became a prominent figure in British musical life, leaving an indelible mark on the country's cultural landscape. Handel's works are celebrated for their grandeur and emotional depth, making him a cornerstone of the Baroque period and a symbol of European musical heritage. His final resting place is in the south transept of Westminster Abbey, a testament to his enduring legacy.