Or rather:
Carolyn Sampson (soprano)
Stephanie-Marie Degand (violin)
Alexandra Bellamy (oboe)
Jonathan Cohen (cello)
Lynda Sayce (theorbo)
Robert King (harpsichord, organ)
under the title of The King's Consort.
There we were sitting in the foyer of the hall when a couple arrived pushing a pram. Strange, I thought. I know that bloke from somewhere. "That bloke" was chatting to someone selling CDs and introduced Johannes, and said he had lain through all the rehearsal, and I suddenly realised that 'that bloke' was Robert King. Handy to be able to parade one's 'normality' when a court case is hanging over one. I do so like Robert as a conductor, or, as he was this evening, director from keyboard.
The programme is in the extended entry. All the 'titled' pieces are one or other of Handel's Nine German Arias, to texts by Barthold Heinrich Brockes. Rather nice texts, concerned with seeing the glory of God in nature. These were interspersed with three oboe sonatas, two of which had movements that seemed familiar...I suspect that I have or had recordings of them performed on recorder or flute.
Other than Messiah, Handel's music doesn't have a great emotional impact on me, but it is always delightful, and I keep going back for more. Carolyn's voice was as lovely as ever, fresh, sweet and engaging, and soaring, and with excellent phrasing and interpretation. I just adore her voice. There is due to be a CD of these works. It will certainly go on my wishlist but I'm not sure that the pieces grabbed me enough to make it a 'must buy on the day of release' piece.
I love the sound of a period oboe and enjoyed the playing of Alexandra Bellamy, especially in the coloratura bits...I expect I don't really mean 'coloratura' but it's a more impressive word than 'twiddly' and more succinct than saying passages of rapidly executed semi-quavers and demi-semi quavers.
Overall, a very pleasant evening. Not Handel's greatest works, but nevertheless, in accordance with that winning formula, and performed very well. We agreed that the highlight of the evening was a heartfelt and moving Lascia ch'io pianga, from Rinaldo (and from Harrods TV ads...).
Update Simon's review in MusicOMH
George Friderick Handel: Die ihr aus dunklen Grüften
George Friderick Handel: In den angenehmen Büschen
George Friderick Handel: Oboe Sonata in B flat HWV 357
George Friderick Handel: Künft'ger Zeiten eitler Kummer
George Friderick Handel: Süsse Stille sanfter Quelle
George Friderick Handel: Oboe Sonata in C minor HWV 366
George Friderick Handel: Singe Seele Gott zum Preise
George Friderick Handel: Süsser Blumen Ambraflocken
George Friderick Handel: Das zitternde Glänzen der spielenden Wellen
George Friderick Handel: Oboe Sonata in F HWV 363a
George Friderick Handel: Flammende Rose Zierde der Erden
George Friderick Handel: Meine Seele hört im Sehen
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