Catalogue

Summary:

Editor’s Choice “…we can hardly blame Tatty Theo for wanting to appropriate music as good as Handel’s recorder sonatas for her instrument, and neither can we feel that Handel would have disapproved. The supposition is even more easily made on hearing these spirited performances, which render the novel concept of Handel cello sonatas totally convincing. Baroque cellists, rush for these arrangements – it’s your lucky day!” – Lindsay Kemp, Gramophone

“… Theo and Gibley play their transcriptions with impeccable style and with a warm rapport for the music. Slow movements come off especially well and, in one or two instances… the sustaining power of a bowed string instrument has an advantage over a recorder…” ★★★★ – Nicholas Anderson, BBC Music magazine

“The Brook Street Band are a lively ensemble of period instrumentalists, always stylish, occasionally daring in their expressive response to this glorious music.” – The Sunday Times

“…The enterprising Brook Street Band… the infectious enthusiasm of these all-female virtuosi seems likely to bring them another Classic FM hit.” – Anthony Holden, The Observer

“Bags of charm on this disc of transcribed recorder sonatas. Theo’s Baroque cello plays mostly high where the tone is dry and appealing.” ★★★★ – Classic FM Magazine

“…These performances have a powerful stamp of authority about them… Theo’s beautiful sense of line and utterly natural phrasing. Perhaps the most striking thing about these performances is the sense of total unity between both players. These are two musicians coalesced into a single entity, dancing with a wonderful unanimity of purpose… Handel himself would have found real cause for celebration.” – International Record Review

“…a rave review… so convincing are Tatty Theo and Carolyn Gibley’s accounts of them… all beautifully balanced… please do enjoy this unusual and unexpected delight!” – Early Music Review

“…vivacious and ardent music making… a thoroughly enjoyable and expertly played CD” – Goldberg Magazine

“…the playing of the two-person Brook Street Band is expressive and lively… the impact made by this music and its persuasive and technically brilliant advocates here… This CD is recommended… The whole is pleasing, very pleasing.” – Mark Sealey, MusicWebInternational.com

Handel Cello Sonatas? As Handel didn’t write any, that may raise a few eyebrows. Then again, period-instrument ensemble The Brook Street Band have been doing just that since their debut recording of Handel’s “Oxford” Water Music (AV 0028), a chamber version of the orchestral evergreen, which earned the all-girl baroque band a Gramophone Editor’s Choice. Tapping into the ubiquitous 18th-century technique of recycling tunes by transposing or arranging for different instruments, The Brook Street Band – named after Handel’s London address – here take the set of recorder sonatas variously known as Op. 1, assigning the solo line to the cello, an instrument which with Handel had obvious affinity. The Brook Street Band’s second disc, Handel’s Op. 5 Trio Sonatas, became a favourite on Classic FM. This, their third release, is acclaimed and popular in equal measure.

Tracklist:

GEORGE FRIDERIC HANDEL (1685–1759)
Sonatas for Cello (trans. from the Recorder Sonatas by Carolyn Gibley)

Sonata in G Major (orig. C Major), HWV365, Op. 1, No. 7
1. I. Larghetto (2:17)
2. II. Allegro (2:07)
3. III. Larghetto (1:54)
4. IV. A tempo di Gavotti (1:23)
5. V. Allegro (2:34)

Sonata in A Minor (orig. D Minor), HWV367a, Op. 1, No. 9, “Fitzwilliam”
6. I. Largo (1:56)
7. II. Vivace (2:52)
8. III. Presto (2:27)
9. IV. Adagio (1:13)
10. V. Alla Breve (1:44)
11. VI. Andante (2:10)
12. VII. A tempo di Minuet (1:38)

Sonata in C Major (orig. F Major), HWV369, Op. 1, No. 11
13. I. Larghetto (1:50)
14. II. Allegro (2:20)
15. III. Siciliana (1:17)
16. IV. Allegro (2:00)

Sonata in D Minor (orig. A Minor), HWV362, Op. 1, No. 4
17. I. Larghetto (2:35)
18. II. Allegro (2:42)
19. III. Adagio (1:58)
20. IV. Allegro (3:22)

Sonata in F Major (orig. B flat Major), HWV377, “Fitzwilliam”
21. I. Allegro (2:23)
22. II. Adagio (1:15)
23. III. Allegro (2:25)

Sonata in D Minor (orig. G Minor), HWV360, Op. 1, No. 2
24. I. Larghetto (1:50)
25. II. Andante (2:58)
26. III. Adagio (0:49)
27. IV. Presto (1:56)

Total Duration: 55:58

Recorded at Raveningham Church, Raveningham, Norfolk, 14–17 July 2006
Recording producer and Balance Engineer: Simon Fox-Gal
Editing: Sebastian Schubert