Handel: Trio Sonatas, Op. 5. (London Baroque)

The re-issue of CRD'S anthology of Handel's chamber music on CD deserves a warm welcom: the recordings were reviewed successively in Early music, xiii/1, xiv/1, xv/1 (Feb 1985, Feb 1986, Feb 1987) on their original appearance. The musical contents have been somewhat rearranged for the re-issue, and sadly the Ouverture for two clarinets and horn (HWV424) appears to have fallen out in the process. But otherwise this issue provides an acceptably complete account of Handel's chamber music repertory: the solo sonatas are allocated to plausibly correct instruments and sensible decisions have been made about works of dubious authenticity--for example, the |Hallenser' flute sonatas are included but not the trio sonatas HWV380-85.

The positive qualities of L'Ecole d' Orphee's anthology remain impressive: these are musicianly …