Pamela Thorby & Richard Egarr – G.F. Handel: Recorder Sonatas (2004) MCH SACD ISO + DSF DSD64 + Hi-Res FLAC

Pamela Thorby has an international reputation as one of the most versatile and stylish recorder players of her generation. Her virtuoso playing can be heard on numerous recordings, ranging from the medieval period to the present day. Richard Egarr began their musical partnership as students together at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, leading to acclaimed duo recitals at the Purcell Room and the Wigmore Hall in London. They have appeared in concert and on disc together on many occasions as their respective careers progressed, but this is the first time that they have recorded together as a duo. This is their second solo album and a second Gramophone ‘Choice’ accolade which was widely acclaimed as a benchmark recording.

These sonatas, all-too-familiar staple of amateur recorder players, are transformed almost beyond recognition by this heaven-sent duo. Significantly, they play from facsimiles of Handel’s autograph, and the performances thus reflect a spontaneity free from editorial interference. This shows most clearly in their ornamentation, doubtless partly prepared, and restrained enough never to obscure Handel’s initial intentions, yet its seemingly extempore exuberance is a constant surprise and delight. Nor are they distracted by cello/gamba reinforcement, so their ensemble is intensely focused – every nuance generates a matching response. Richard Egarr uses a harpsichord for three sonatas (with a bonus ‘Harmonious Blacksmith’ Suite halfway through the programme). His command of tone and texture is astonishing – sweeps of sustained sound, dazzling virtuosity, quasi-fortepiano simplicity. On the chamber organ, his distinctive off-the-keys touch creates a remarkable transparency through which the recorder can speak freely. The converted church of York’s National Centre for Early Music makes an ideal recording venue.

Pamela Thorby’s tone is silvery, alert and superbly recorded. Her intonation is impeccable despite the familiar recorder-players’ hazard of volume influencing pitch, while compromise harpsichord-tuning adds zest to the distant key of B major during the Suite. In all, I can’t for the life of me imagine how this glorious recording could be bettered.

Tracklist:

01. Sonata in D minor HWV 367a – Largo
02. Sonata in D minor HWV 367a – Vivace
03. Sonata in D minor HWV 367a – Furioso
04. Sonata in D minor HWV 367a – Adagio
05. Sonata in D minor HWV 367a – Alla breve
06. Sonata in D minor HWV 367a – Untitled
07. Sonata in D minor HWV 367a – A tempo di menuet
08. Sonata in B flat major HWV 377 – Untitled
09. Sonata in B flat major HWV 377 – Adagio
10. Sonata in B flat major HWV 377 – Allegro
11. Sonata in C major HWV 365 – Larghetto
12. Sonata in C major HWV 365 – Allegro
13. Sonata in C major HWV 365 – Larghetto
14. Sonata in C major HWV 365 – A tempo di gavotta
15. Sonata in C major HWV 365 – Allegro
16. Harpsichord Suite in E major HWV 430 – Prelude
17. Harpsichord Suite in E major HWV 430 – Allemande
18. Harpsichord Suite in E major HWV 430 – Courante
19. Harpsichord Suite in E major HWV 430 – Air with Doubles
20. Sonata in F major HWV 369 – Grave
21. Sonata in F major HWV 369 – Allegro
22. Sonata in F major HWV 369 – Alla Siciliana
23. Sonata in F major HWV 369 – Allegro
24. Sonata in A minor HWV 362 – Larghetto
25. Sonata in A minor HWV 362 – Allegro
26. Sonata in A minor HWV 362 – Adagio
27. Sonata in A minor HWV 362 – Allegro
28. Sonata in G minor HWV 360 – Larghetto
29. Sonata in G minor HWV 360 – Andante
30. Sonata in G minor HWV 360 – Adagio
31. Sonata in G minor HWV 360 – Presto