Handel: Ode for St. Cecilia's Day; Organ Concerto No. 13; Zakok the Priest (2009)

performed by Duilio Galfetti (violin), Francesco Cera (organ), I Barocchisti, Jeremy Ovenden (tenor), Julia Gooding (soprano), Swiss Radio Choir (choir, chorus), Diego Fasolis (conductor)
composed by George Frederick Handel

Brisk and bracing, the incisive performances of I Barocchisti are the main attraction of this hybrid SACD, which owes its success to this group's period instrumentation and historically informed methods, perhaps more than to any other aspect. Granted, Handel's jubilant Ode for St. Cecilia's Day, the Organ Concerto No. 13, and the coronation anthem Zadok the Priest already commend themselves, if not for being among his greatest masterpieces, then as essential secondary works. Furthermore, the idiomatic vocal performances by ... Read More

Brisk and bracing, the incisive performances of I Barocchisti are the main attraction of this hybrid SACD, which owes its success to this group's period instrumentation and historically informed methods, perhaps more than to any other aspect. Granted, Handel's jubilant Ode for St. Cecilia's Day, the Organ Concerto No. 13, and the coronation anthem Zadok the Priest already commend themselves, if not for being among his greatest masterpieces, then as essential secondary works. Furthermore, the idiomatic vocal performances by soprano Julia Gooding, tenor Jeremy Ovenden, and the Swiss Radio Choir are certainly attractive, though not out of the ordinary in this repertoire. But it's I Barocchisti's brilliant sonorities and crisp articulation on authentic instruments that give this album its zest, and the quality of the program would be seriously diminished if any of these wonderful sounds were lacking. Directed by Diego Fasolis, a master of early music techniques and styles, this Swiss orchestra is one of... Read Less