Handel, G.F.: Solo Cantatas, Hwv 110, 113, 142, 173
12/1/2008, 24 Tracks, 1:07:23
Featuring
Dame Emma Kirkby
Ingrid Seifert
Richard Gwilt
Charles Medlam
Terence Charlston
London Baroque
George Frideric Handel
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Composer Biography
Handel, a talented but stylistically 'incomplete' composer, traveled to Italy to expand and perfect his compositional skills, especially in vocal music.
Composition History
The cantata Agrippina condotta a morire served as a preliminary study for Handel's opera Agrippina, which established his reputation.
Compositional Technique
Handel used cantatas as a testing ground for compositional elements like freer modulation and key associations before incorporating them into larger works.
Performer Biography
London Baroque, formed in 1978, is considered a leading exponent of baroque chamber music, performing around 50 concerts annually.
Performer Biography
Emma Kirkby, the soprano on this recording, initially had no professional singing ambitions, starting as a classics student and schoolteacher.
Composer Biography
Handel initially gained a reputation as an organist and harpsichord player, even competing with Domenico Scarlatti, which led to a deep friendship.
Composer Biography
During his three-year stay in Italy, Handel met leading Italian musicians like Alessandro and Domenico Scarlatti, Corelli, Vivaldi, and Albinoni.
