Recording
Title: Harpsichord Works (Volumes 1,2 and 3)
Performer: Sophie Yates
Year: 1998
Length: 3 hours 30 minutes
Review
This is a really good three CD collection of Handel's Harpsichord works. These aren't particularly famous pieces, but they are still some really good stuff, you can clearly see the influence from the great French composers for the instrument, particularly the livelier Rameau.
In fact the similarities to Rameau's harpsichord works are striking and that brings the value of these works down a notch, because even though they mimic some of Rameau's work they are not as good.
Still, this is a superbly played collection of what is a pretty exciting work for the harpsichord, Handel doesn't let the virtuosity down at any time through these recordings, and even if at times they might sound like "show off" pieces they are quite uniformly good.
Final Grade
8/10
Trivia
From Wikipedia:
Handel displayed considerable musical talent at an early age; by the age of seven he was a skillful performer on the harpsichord and pipe organ, and at nine he began to compose music. However, his father, an eminent barber-surgeon who served as valet and barber to the Courts of Saxony and Brandenburg, and a distinguished citizen of Halle, was opposed to his son's wish to pursue a musical career, preferring him to study law; by contrast, Handel's mother, Dorothea, encouraged his musical aspirations.
Harmonious Blacksmith from Suite No.5 In E Major:
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