From Handel’s Home
Works by Handel, Babell, Telemann, J Stanley, Roseingrave and D Scarlatti
Julian Perkins (keyboards)
Delphian DCD34314 71 mins
This recording provides an aural snapshot of the kinds of instruments that Handel interacted with during his time living at 25 Brook Street. Thus writes Olwen Foulkes, assistant curator of London’s Handel Hendrix House. A fascinating snapshot it is, too, featuring a single-manual and two double-manual harpsichords, a spinet, a single-manual organ and a bureau organ, so called on account of its small desk-like case.
This colourful keyboard spectrum is matched by a rewardingly varied roster of composers, led by Handel and including Telemann, his lifelong buddy William Babell, the blind organist and composer John Stanley, Thomas Roseingrave, Domenico Scarlatti and Rhian Samuel, a Welsh composer of our present time.
Julian Perkins has given careful thought to compiling his programme. As already implied, there are splendid contrasts of colour – but also of style, with juxtapositions that provide food for thought. Each piece carries the identity of the instrument on which it is played and producer and engineer deserve praise for the fine sound quality. I found the bright sound of John Snetzler’s bureau organ especially delightful.
Among a wealth of diverse musical sounds and ideas is a C minor Suite by Handel. Though a single harpsichord part has survived, Perkins and Carole Cerasi, who joins him here, have created their own two-harpsichord version, inspired by reconstructions by Thurston Dart, Donald Burrows and David Vine. Each player indulges in frequent part-swapping to provide an intriguing additional dimension.
Last but by no means least, this handsomely presented disc is dedicated to the memory of
Mark Ransom, to whom countless harpsichordists owe a huge debt of gratitude. Nicholas Anderson PERFORMANCE
RECORDING