A common feature of the concertos on this album is the use of 'small flutes,' which refers to recorders in the descant register, such as the 'sixth flute' (in D) and 'fifth flute' (in C).
Historical Context
London was a central hub for the recorder in the first half of the 18th century, boasting virtuosos, instrument makers like Stanesby père and fils, and a thriving publishing scene.
Composer's Artistic Vision
The concertos by Babell and Woodcock show a strong affinity for George Frideric Handel's musical idiom, at times even directly quoting his opera arias or concerti grossi.
Composition History
These concertos likely served as entr'acte music during opera and oratorio performances, similar to how Handel's organ concertos were used.
Composition History
The concertos on this album, by William Babell, Robert Woodcock, and John Baston, were all published by John Walsh in London between 1726 and 1729.
Performer Biography
Michael Schneider, the recorder soloist and conductor, was a prizewinner at the ARD Music Competition in Munich in 1978 and has recorded nearly the entire recorder repertoire.
Performer Biography
Michael Schneider founded two internationally renowned ensembles: Camerata Köln in 1979 and La Stagione Frankfurt in 1988, with whom he has released numerous award-winning CDs.
You might also enjoy...
Pastorale
100 Best of Vivaldi
London circa 1740: Handel's musicians
Telemann / Fontana / Castello: Recorder Chamber Music
Collegium Aureum-Edition
Musik aus Schweizer Klöstern mit Tromba Marina
Officina Romana: A Wonder Lab at the Dawn of the 18th Century
Total Eclipse: Music for Handel's Tenor
Italian Baroque: The Instrumental Edition, Vol. 1
Dos Estrellas le Siguen
Les grandes eaux musicales 2007 du Château de Versailles
Telemann from the Estonian Baroque Soloists / Grigori Maltizov
Laurenzi: La finta savia, Arias
Accademia dell' Arcadia - Musica Restituta: Cantatas and Motets
