Handel's Recorder Ruth Wilkinson

• George Frideric Handel (1685-1759): The Musick for the Royal Fireworks
• 1I. Overture01:53
• 2II. Allegro05:30
• 3III. Bourree01:04
• 4IV. Largo alla Siciliana02:54
• 5V. Allegro01:22
• 6VI. Menuet I00:36
• 7VII. Menuet II00:45
• Sonata No. 2 in G minor, HWV360 - (Solos for a German Flute, a hoboy or violin with a thorough bass for the harpsichord or bass violin composed by Mr Handel)
• 8I. Larghetto01:46
• 9II. Andante03:06
• 10III. Adagio00:38
• 11IV. Presto02:06
• Sonata No. 4 in A minor, HWV362 - (Solos for a German Flute, a hoboy or violin with a thorough bass for the harpsichord or bass violin composed by Mr Handel)
• 12I. Larghetto02:22
• 13II. Allegro02:37
• 14III. Adagio01:45
• 15IV. Allegro03:33
• Sonata No. 7 in C major, HWV365 - (Solos for a German Flute, a hoboy or violin with a thorough bass for the harpsichord or bass violin composed by Mr Handel)
• 16I. Larghetto02:10
• 17II. Allegro02:12
• 18III. Larghetto01:46
• 19IV. A tempo di gavotta02:03
• 20V. Allegro01:37
• Sonata No. 11 in F major, HWV369 - (Solos for a German Flute, a hoboy or violin with a thorough bass for the harpsichord or bass violin composed by Mr Handel)
• 21I. Larghetto01:48
• 22II. Allegro02:12
• 23III. Alla siciliana01:06
• 24IV. Allegro02:04
• Total Runtime48:55

Info for Handel's Recorder

Three of Australia’s leading early-music specialists recorded this album in collaboration with Australian Broadcasting Corporation. It contains four of Handel’s famed recorder sonatas in the early John Walsh edition, in exemplary performances.

The major and most unusual work on the album is the John Walsh edition from the 1740s of the Music for the Royal Fireworks in a chamber version, arranged here for recorder and viola da gamba with harpsichord continuo. It was one of many variations of the work which were popular before the full orchestral version became the ‘norm’ at a much later date. While of short duration this is a program that is complete and has full integrity as a concert program.

“I do not have a great enthusiasm for the sound of the recorder . So it came as an agreeable surprise to discover that I enjoyed and appreciated every bar of this latest CD of recorder and continuo music from Divine Art. Every detail and nuance of [the Fireworks music] is well-defined and consistently fresh and exploits the unique character of each instrument. I am equally enthusiastic about the four Sonatas for recorder and basso continuo presented on this disc. This is an excellent disc and will be in demand for all Handel enthusiasts. It is stunningly played and beautifully presented.” (John France, MusicWeb)

This album is pretty well what it implies: Handel, played on recorder. It's a pleasant album and the pieces convey mood well.” (Jeremy Condliffe, The Chronicle)

Ruth Wilkinson, recorder
Miriam Morris, viola da gamba
John O’Donnell, harpsichord

Recorded between 9-24 November 2010 by ABC Classic FM at the Iwaki Auditorium, Melbourne
Engineered by Alex Stinson
Produced by Haig Burnell

No biography found.

Booklet for Handel's Recorder