Recordings of Handel's chamber
music have to be judged on two levels: 1) have the performers used a good
edition of the music, so that they play the right notes, and even the right
works? 2) do they play them well, with a proper sense of baroque style?
On both counts this recording is
a triumph. However, Handel wrote only two original sonatas for the transverse
flute, HWV 378 (c.1707) and HWV 379 (c.1728). In 1731-2 the London music
publisher John Walsh produced his "Opus 1" set of Handel sonatas, and this
included three more sonatas which had been composed for other instruments in
other keys, but were transposed by Walsh into suitable keys for the flute,
presumably in order to improve the sales potential of the edition. These
arrangements were HWV 359b, 363b, and 367b. There is no harm in continuing to
play these works as flute sonatas, as long as everyone is aware of their
history.
The liner notes, by Annette
Landgraf, give accurate information based on the latest research, and the
players have used a good edition (although two rogue Walsh readings, one in
HWV 363b and one in HWV 359b, have slipped in); so full marks here.
The playing is also of the finest
quality. The sound of Konrad Hünteler's Denner flute of c.1720, played with
great expression and fullness of tone, is ravishing, and he uses a sensible
ornamentation where it is required. Harpsichordist Carsten Lohff accompanies
unobtrusively, and Rainer Zipperling plays both cello and viola da gamba
(although the use of the latter, in HWV 367b and 363b, is not shown on the
disc or on the case, only in the booklet) with considerable virtuosity and a
fine sense of balance. The sonatas are all first-rate Handel, and the
recording matches this quality in all respects. Highly recommended.
