Composer: Georg Friedrich Handel
Performer: Alessandro Tampieri
Orchestra: Accademia Bizantina
Conductor: Ottavio Dantone
Number of Discs: 3
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: HDB Sonus
Catalogue: HDB-AB-ST-002
Release: 2022
Size: 2.71 GB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes
CD 01
Concert No. 1 in G Major, Op. 6, HWV 319
01. I. A tempo giusto
02. II. Allegro e forte
03. III. Adagio
04. IV. Allegro
05. V. Allegro
Concert No. 2 in F Major, Op. 6, HWV 320
06. I. Andante larghetto
07. II. Allegro
08. III. Largo
09. IV. Allegro ma non troppo
Concert No. 3 in E Minor, Op. 6, HWV 321
10. I. Larghetto
11. II. Andante
12. III. Allegro
13. IV. Polonoise. Andante
14. V. Allegro ma non troppo
Concert No. 4 in A Minor, Op. 6, HWV 322
15. I. Larghetto affettuoso
16. II. Allegro
17. III. Largo e piano
18. IV. Allegro
CD 02
Concert No. 5 in D Major, Op. 6, HWV 323
01. I. Larghetto e staccato
02. II. Allegro
03. III. Presto
04. IV. Largo
05. V. Allegro
06. VI. Menuet. Un poco larghetto
Concert No. 6 in G Minor, Op. 6, HWV 324
07. I. Largo affettuoso
08. II. A tempo giusto
09. III. Musette. Larghetto
10. IV. Allegro
11. V. Gavotte
12. VI. Allegro
Concert No. 7 in B-Flat Major, Op. 6, HWV 325
13. I. Largo
14. II. Allegro
15. III. Largo e piano
16. IV. Andante
17. V. Hornpipe
Concert No. 8 in C Minor, Op. 6, HWV 326
18. I. Allemande
19. II. Grave
20. III. Andante allegro
21. IV. Adagio
22. V. Siciliana andante
23. VI. Allegro
CD 03
Concert No. 9 in F Major, Op. 6, HWV 327
01. I. Largo
02. II. Allegro
03. III. Larghetto
04. IV. Allegro
05. V. Menuet
06. VI. Gigue. Allegro
Concert No. 10 in D Minor, Op. 6, HWV 328
07. I. Ouverture
08. II. Allegro
09. III. Air. Lentement
10. IV. Allegro
11. V. Allegro
12. VI. Allegro moderato
Concert No. 11 in A Major, Op. 6, HWV 329
13. I. Andante larghetto e staccato
14. II. Allegro
15. III. Andante
16. IV. Allegro
Concert No. 12 in B Minor, Op. 6, HWV 330
17. I. Largo
18. II. Allegro
19. III. Aria. Larghetto e piano
20. IV. Largo
21. V. Allegro
The vigour and richness of the Concerto grossi, Op. 6, which Handel based on Corelli’s model, seems to have dictated this full-bodied and highly structured performance by the Accademia Bizantina (directed by Ottavio Dantone). Their vision isn’t some long, quiet road; rather, the listener is taken on a journey, discovering varied landscapes as they travel an often arid and meandering path.
The Italian baroque conductor and harpsichordist has been delighting musicophiles during his time as head of the Accademia Bizantina, founded in Ravenna, for over thirty years. Alongside a number of others, he’s contributed to many musical discoveries and to a standard of interpretation which today’s music lovers have become accustomed to. Always looking to uncover new scores, Ottavio Dantone maintains contact with European libraries through his appointed musicologist, Bernardo Ticci, whom he claims is ‘a real truffle hunter’.
His in-depth knowledge of Handel’s operas led him to examine the Concerto grossi, Op. 6, in great detail. He says that these ‘extraordinary pages are dear to my heart, and I have approached them with all the meticulousness I’m known for’. This diligence is perceptible throughout the twelve Concerti grossi, which display a skilful blend of Nordic earnestness and Mediterranean joy.