London Handel Players – Total Eclipse: Handel at Home, Vol. 2 (2023) [Official Digital Download 24bit/96kHz]

London Handel Players – Total Eclipse: Handel at Home, Vol. 2 (2023)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 01:15:30 minutes | 1,38 GB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © SOMM Recordings

…“full of the most delicious music you could ask to hear, and the players give every indication of loving every note they play” was how one enthusiastic reviewer described the first volume of aria arrangements on SOMM, of “Handel at Home” (SOMMCD 055) with the London Handel Players in Pan Magazine.

Indeed, it is an attestation of Handel’s power to speak to the very depths of one’s soul, to touch the heart and to rouse the spirit that after many years performing the repertoire, the London Handel Players present here “Handel at Home” Vol 2. A second selection of popular operatic arias either in contemporary settings or their own arrangements inspired by the original luscious scoring.

In the 18th century, the demand for such arrangements was high, since they provided a gratifying means of revisiting theatrical highlights in the domestic environment. Handel’s publisher, John Walsh, made numerous arrangements of various overtures and Handel himself may well have reworked the solo keyboard version/rendition of Ombra cara from Radamisto. Babell’s florid embellishment of the ever popular Lascia ch’io pianga from Rinaldo demonstrates a free interpretation adorned with extravagant Italianate ornamentation.

The beautiful rendition of the Overture to Samson for solo flute with continuo is taken from Walsh’s extensive publication and LHP have reinstated the string accompaniment in Total Eclipse and Thus when the Sun for added drama. The lyrical arias from Rinaldo, Giulio Cesare and The Choice of Hercules proved irresistible and they made their own arrangements!

“The London Handel Players often capture the elusive dramatic and orchestral context of the arias in these chamber arrangements. Their consummate musicianship is consistently delightful: sparkling violin-playing (often with two players in perfect unison) and superb continuo contributions are just as impressive as Rachel Brown’s poetic flute solos.” David Vickers, Gramophone – Handel at Home.

Tracklist:
1-01. London Handel Players – Rinaldo, HWV 7: Overture (Arr. for Chamber Ensemble by Rachel Brown) (05:37)
1-02. London Handel Players – Rinaldo, HWV 7: Sinfonia – Cara sposa, amante cara, dove sei? (Arr. for Chamber Ensemble by Rachel Brown) (10:16)
1-03. London Handel Players – Rinaldo, HWV 7: Il vostro maggio (Arr. for Chamber Ensemble by Rachel Brown) (02:21)
1-04. London Handel Players – Rinaldo, HWV 7: Lascia ch’io pianga (Arr. for Harpsichord by Silas Wollston) (04:44)
1-05. London Handel Players – Concerto in B-Flat Major, HWV 288 (Arr. for Chamber Ensemble by Adrian Butterfield): I. Andante (03:35)
1-06. London Handel Players – Concerto in B-Flat Major, HWV 288 (Arr. for Chamber Ensemble by Adrian Butterfield): II. Adagio (01:28)
1-07. London Handel Players – Concerto in B-Flat Major, HWV 288 (Arr. for Chamber Ensemble by Adrian Butterfield): III. Allegro (03:40)
1-08. London Handel Players – Samson, HWV 57: Overture (Arr. for Chamber Ensemble by John Walsh) (05:32)
1-09. London Handel Players – Samson, HWV 57: Total Eclipse (Arr. for Chamber Ensemble by John Walsh & Rachel Brown) (04:02)
1-10. London Handel Players – Samson, HWV 57: Thus When the Sun (Arr. for Chamber Ensemble by John Walsh & Rachel Brown) (04:28)
1-11. London Handel Players – Radamisto, HWV 12: Ombra cara (Version for Harpsichord) (06:58)
1-12. London Handel Players – Giulio Cesare in Egitto, HWV 17: Overture (Arr. for Chamber Ensemble by Adrian Butterfield) (02:53)
1-13. London Handel Players – Giulio Cesare in Egitto, HWV 17: Se pietà (Arr. for Chamber Ensemble by Rachel Brown) (09:25)
1-14. London Handel Players – Giulio Cesare in Egitto, HWV 17: Da tempeste (Arr. for Chamber Ensemble by Rachel Brown) (06:22)
1-15. London Handel Players – The Choice of Hercules, HWV 69: Yet, Can I Hear That Dulcet Lay (Arr. for Chamber Ensemble by Rachel Brown) (04:02)

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