Martin Pearlman, Banchetto Musicale - George Frideric Handel: L'Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato (1985)
EAC | FLAC | Image (Cue & Log) ~ 541 Mb | Total time: 63:30+60:18 | Scans included
Classical | Label: Arabesque Recordings | # Z6554-2 | Recorded: 1986
EAC | FLAC | Image (Cue & Log) ~ 541 Mb | Total time: 63:30+60:18 | Scans included
Classical | Label: Arabesque Recordings | # Z6554-2 | Recorded: 1986
American ensemble, Banchetto Musicale, under the direction of Martin Pearlman, recorded Handel's ''Allegro, Il Penseroso, ed il Moderato,'' (Arabesque 6554-2, two LP's) set to two poems by the young John Milton with a third, markedly less distinguished, text by Charles Jennens rounding out the work. Banchetto Musicale is a Boston-based group that plays early music on original instruments. Their playing is stylish, if occasionally a little too self-consciously ''correct'' and considered for this taste; the Puritan spirit dies hard. The recording is distinguished by the contributions of some bright young soloists - the sopranos Nancy Armstrong and Sharon Baker, the mezzo-soprano Mary Westbrook-Geha, the tenor Frank Kelley and the baritone James Maddalena; Mr. Pearlman has provided succinct, intelligent notes.