Album: Handel, Solo Sonatas Opus 1 – AoAM/Egarr, (Harmonia Mundi)

Richard Egarr posits a pragmatic solution to the riddle of Handel's twice- published Opus 1 Solo Sonatas in the Academy of Ancient Music's delightful double-disc set.

With violinist Pavlo Beznosiuk, oboist Frank de Bruine and flautist/recorder player Rachel Brown, he includes the 1732 versions of Sonatas X and XII alongside those from the 1722 edition. Minus bowed bass, Egarr's harpsichord accompaniment is free and expressive. The soloists slide easily from austerity to opulence, and Brown's dewy-toned recorder is enchanting.