HANDEL: Sonatas for Violin and Continuo

Handel’s violin sonatas, familiar to violinists and chamber audiences, have been inexplicably neglected on disc. These intimate, inviting sonatas show the seldom-heard side of Handel’s genius.

The violin sonatas span Handel’s long career, from the early, Corelli-inspired G Major Sonata, HWV358 (c. 1706-8) to the exciting Sonata in D major (c. 1750). On the CD, the works are sequenced for a pleasing progression of key relationships and mood changes.

The album opens and closes with sonatas that are authentically Handel’s and written expressly for violin: the Sonata in A Major (HWV371), notable for its virtuosic treatment of violin and continuo parts and its noble melodic lines. Handel’s last violin sonata, it’s widely considered his masterpiece in the genre.

Scholars agree that some sonatas were erroneously attributed to Handel. Three of these are included in the program (HWV368, 370, and 372). "Regardless of authorship, they are very beautiful and well worth playing and hearing," cellist Rozendaal writes in the CD booklet. Another, the Sonata in E major (HWV373) is excluded, "not because of its questionable authorship but because of its inferior quality," he adds.

The program also includes several fine (and authentic) pieces from the 1724-26 period: the Sonatas in d-minor (HWV359a) and g-minor (HWV364a), the a-minor Andante (HWV412) and the c-minor Allegro (HWV408)

These performances are "historically informed," employing a combination of 18th-century and modern practices and equipment. Ms. Barton Pine plays a 1617 Amati violin, in "modern" condition with steel strings. Mr. Rozendaal plays a 1740 cello in restored Baroque condition with gut strings. The bows used are reproductions of 18th-century models. Mr. Schrader plays a 1983 US-built harpsichord based on one in the museum of the Conservatoire National de Paris.

"[Rachel Barton] uses a baroque bow with her modernized 17th-Century violin, making a wonderfully warm yet still focused sound, and her passage work is brilliant yet lyrical - much like the cascades of a coloratura - and her ornamentation is both thoughtful and virtuosic. This is a wonderful recording."

American Record Guide

"A spritely partnership between violin and cello, with deft rhythmic accompaniment on harpsichord… The music’s virtuosic character is rendered with superb, resonant double and triple stopping and de-emphasized dance motion in the allegros. Barton lets the music’s raw, improvised feeling hang out a little, giving the recording a refreshing zest."

ClassicalNet.com

"[Rachel Barton] is one of the rare mainstream performers with a total grasp of Baroque style and embellishment, and the whole disc is a delight… The exhilarating bravura of her incisive articulation and sharply pointed rhythms is matched by Barton’s singing line in her poised and elegant lyrical movements. Superb continuo players David Schrader and John Mark Rozendaal contribute to the real sense of ensemble teamwork."

Fanfare

"Few non-specialists have gotten inside this procedure [of ornamentation] as convincingly as violinist Rachel Barton. Her playing is splendid on all levels - lovely tone, wonderfully expressive phrasing, secure technique, and strong involvement with the music. But the most unusual aspect of Barton’s Handel is the convincing and imaginative way she embellishes the repeats in the music - adding runs, ornaments, and flourishes that give a different aspect to a phrase we’ve just recently heard… They help to enliven a cherishable disc."

Classical Pulse

"The exuberance of Barton’s ornamentation, the naturalness of her lyricism in these consummately melodic Sonatas, and her technical command in general (and of nuanced and fleet bowings and clean intonation in particular) are complemented by the skill and energy of the continuo support, which never diverts attention from the soloist’s starring role... Recommended. Period."

Fantare

"Violinist Rachel Barton triumphs in her first release for the Cedille label… Indeed, Rachel Barton’s wonderfully vital Handel performances bring us some of the most refreshing, life-enhancing Baroque playing heard in years."

Chicago Tribune

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HANDEL: Sonatas for Violin and Continuo

David Schrader

John Mark Rozendaal

Rachel Barton Pine

Chamber

HANDEL: Sonatas for Violin and Continuo

GEORGE FRIDERIC HANDEL

Violin Sonata No. 3 in A major, Op. 1, No. 3, HWV 361

Violin Sonata in D minor, Op. 1, No. 1, HWV 359a

Violin Sonata No. 6 in F major, Op. 1, No. 12, HWV 370

Violin Sonata in G major, HWV 358

Violin Sonata in G minor, HWV 364b

Allegro in C minor, HWV 408

Violin Sonata No. 8 in A major, Op. 1, No. 14, HWV 372

Andante in A minor, HWV 412

Violin Sonata No. 5 in G minor, Op. 1, No. 10, HWV 368

Violin Sonata No. 7 in D major, Op. 1, No. 13, HWV 371