Composer: William Babell, George Frideric Handel
Performer: Francesco Corti
Number of Discs: 2
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Arcana
Catalogue: A499
Release: 2022
Size: 3.15 GB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes
CD 01
Händel: Suite No. 1 in A Major, HWV 426
01. I. Prelude
02. II. Allemande
03. III. Courante
04. IV. Gigue
Händel: Rodelinda, HWV 19, Ouverture
05. [Largo] – Presto – Adagio (Arr. for Harpsichord)
06. Menuet (Arr. for Harpsichord)
Händel: Suite No. 2 in F Major, HWV 427
07. I. Adagio
08. II. Allegro
09. III. Adagio
10. IV. Allegro
Händel: Il pastor Fido, HWV 8, Overture
11. [Adagio] – Allegro – Adagio (Arr. for Harpsichord)
Händel: Suite No. 3 in D Minor, HWV 428
12. I. Prelude (Presto)
13. II. Allegro
14. III. Allemande
15. IV. Courante
16. V. Air
17. VI. Doubles
18. VII. Presto
Händel: Suite No. 4 in E minor, HWV 429
19. I. Allegro
20. II. Allemande
21. III. Courante
22. IV. Sarabande
23. V. Gigue
CD 02
01. Babell: First Set in F Major: Prelude (Presto)
Händel: Rinaldo, HWV 7, Ouverture:
02. Vivace – Allegro – Adagio (Arr. for Harpsichord by William Babell)
03. Giga (Presto) (Arr. for Harpsichord by William Babell)
04. Lascia ch’io pianga” (Adagio) (Arr. for Harpsichord by William Babell)
Händel: Suite No. 5 in E Major, HWV 430
05. I. Prelude
06. II. Allemande
07. III. Courante
08. IV. Air et Doubles
Händel: Radamisto, HWV 12, Ouverture
09. [Largo] – Allegro (Arr. for Harpsichord)
Händel: Suite No. 6 in F-Sharp Minor, HWV 431
10. I. Prelude
11. II. Largo
12. III. Allegro
13. IV. Gigue (Presto)
Händel: Teseo, HWV 9, Ouverture:
14. [Largo] – Allegro – Lentement (Arr. for Harpsichord)
15. Allegro (Arr. for Harpsichord)
Händel: Suite No. 7 in G minor, HWV 432
16. I. Ouverture (Largo – Presto – Lentement)
17. II. Andante
18. III. Allegro
19. IV. Sarabande
20. V. Gigue
21. VI. Passacaillle
Händel: Suite No. 8 in F Minor, HWV 433
22. I. Prelude (Adagio)
23. II. Allegro
24. III. Allemande
25. IV. Courante
26. V. Gigue
After a wonderful Bach album, harpsichordist Francesco Corti continues his collaboration with Arcana with a recording entirely dedicated to George Frideric Handel. At the center of the project are the eight “Great” suites. These masterpieces were the composer’s first published set, and are a clear testimony to his virtuosity at the keyboard. Their characteristically diversified styles reflect not only the “mélange” of national traditions assimilated by the young composer, but also his phenomenal improvisatory talent. Moreover, the attraction of these pieces lies in their melodic and rhythmic affinity to the world of singing and orchestral writing, Händel’s strongest interests.
Arrangements of Handel’s operatic overtures and arias started circulating early in his career in England, and in his later years he was known to perform his overtures on the keyboard himself. Corti designs a program showcasing the composer’s brilliant treatment of the instrument, choosing to complement the “Great” Suites with a selection of transcriptions from Händel’s own hand and from his close musical circle.