Posted by John Rasmussen on October 19, 19102 at 18:35:02:

In Reply to: Re: George Frideric Handel posted by Stephen Walsh on October 12, 19102 at 00:27:07:

: What is your opinion on the period instruments/modern instruments issue? Do you find you can only listen to period performances after you have heard them?

I agree that period instruments are the best. But great performances are possible on non-period instruments as well.

Real trouble comes when you mix period and non-period instruments. I have a Bach Brandenburg set in which a single harpsichord and two recorders are pitted against a full modern string section; the poor keyboard is utterly swamped, and the recorders are barely heard! Thus, my feeling is that, if you can't get a whole orchestra of period instruments, don't use any, even a harpsichord. And at least try to get the right style!

I agree with you about vibrato vs. ornamentation: Most Handel performances need much less vibrato and much more ornamentation. The Academy of Ancient Music's otherwise magnificent performance suffers from lack of "graces". I wonder if they've done more recent, less restrained recordings?

P.S. I should warn you that I am not partial to Handel over J.S. Bach.

P.P.S. I've also read the Handel/Cuzzoni story, related to give the impression that he was actually holding her out the window when he addressed her!

Follow Ups:

• Re: George Frideric Handel Stephen Walsh 06:43:07 10/20/102 (3)
  • Re: George Frideric Handel REbecca Dixon 00:31:58 6/08/103 (2)
    • Re: George Frideric Handel Jack Kelso 06:23:25 7/29/103 (0)
    • Re: George Frideric Handel Jack Kelso 06:21:45 7/29/103 (0)

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