George Frideric HANDEL (1685 - 1759)
Théâtre intime
Sonata for recorder and bc in d minor (HWV 367) [14:58]
Son d'Egitto, aria for voice and bc (HWV deest) [1:18]
Suite for harpsichord in F (HWV 427):
adagio (instr) [2:28]
Sonata for recorder and bc in a minor (HWV 369) [11:57]
Pensieri notturni di Filli (Nel dolce dell'oblio) (HWV 134)
[6:40]
Sonata for recorder and bc in B flat (HWV 377) [6:02]
Non posso dir di più (HWV deest) [3:54]
Sonata for recorder and bc in C (HWV 365) [11:50]
Les Lunes du Cousin Jacques
(Aurore Bucher (soprano), Benoît Toïgo (recorder), Annabelle Brey (cello),
Diego Salamanca (theorbo), Frédéric Hernandez (harpsichord))
rec. 5-8 November 2012, Temple Réformée, Dieppe, France. DDD
No texts and translations
HORTUS 101 [59:18]
George Frideric Handel was every inch a man of the theatre. That not only
comes to the fore in his operas and oratorios but also in his vocal and instrumental
chamber music. It is not therefore surprising that there are many connections
between the various genres to which Handel contributed. Thematic material
from one composition often turns up in other works and even complete movements
from instrumental pieces are reused in vocal works or vice versa. The title
of this disc, 'Intimate theatre', is well chosen.
The largest part of the programme comprises sonatas for recorder and basso
continuo. Handel's output in the sonata genre causes considerable problems
because of the various scorings, Handel's own re-workings and often
less than scrupulous editions by publishers who wanted to profit from the
popularity of the composer's music. The four sonatas recorded here
are established as authentic pieces for the recorder. As the liner-notes explain
several of the movements are known in other scorings: operas, concerti grossi
and organ concertos. Benoît Toïgo is a fine player: I was pleasantly struck
by his relaxed style of playing and his beautiful tone. The most interesting
aspect of his performance is the addition of ornaments which is very differentiated
and imaginative, although some pieces are a bit overloaded. The cadenza in
the alla breve of the Sonata in d minor is a little exaggerated.
Fortunately extremely fast tempi are avoided. That is a great relief as I
have heard some horrible examples of outrageous tempi recently.
However, one aspect is disappointing: the lack of drama. Considering the title
of this disc that is rather surprising. Handel's chamber music has
strongly theatrical traits but these are hardly explored. In the fast movements
there is a lack of dynamic accenting, and the dramatic moments are not really
conveyed. The furioso from the sonata I just mentioned is too feeble.
Handel composed just one cantata with an obbligato part for the recorder.
It is best known as Nel dolce dell'oblio which is the title
used in the track-list. In his liner-notes Toïgo only mentions the original
title Pensieri notturni di Filli which is a little confusing for
those who don't know that he refers to the same work. The performance
by Aurore Bucher is not really convincing, I'm afraid. She seems to
have a good feeling for theatrical music, but the intimacy of this chamber
cantata is lost on her. Her singing is too loud, especially in relation to
the recorder and is marred by an incessant and pretty wide vibrato.
That is also a problem in the two arias. The liner-notes are rather short
on their identity. The work-list in New Grove and the one on the
site GFHandel.org don't mention
either of them. On the Karadar
site they are listed as "probably authentic". According to Toïgo
Son d'Egitto is an expression of "the intense inner torment
of the heroine". We have to take his word for it; the omission of the
lyrics in the booklet makes it impossible to assess this aria or Ms Bucher's
treatment of the text. Non posso dir di più seems a more intimate
piece, and is performed with theorbo and cello. Ms Bucher sings at a lower
volume, and that works out very well. Her vibrato is less obtrusive, and the
balance between the voice and the instruments is better than in the cantata.
On balance this disc is rather inconsistent. It has various virtues but also
some serious shortcomings. Handelians probably won't want to miss it
because of the two arias which seem not to have been recorded before. For
a more general audience this disc has little to offer which is not already
available on disc.
Johan van Veen
http://www.musica-dei-donum.org
https://twitter.com/johanvanveen
A disc with various virtues but also some serious shortcomings.
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