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Handel: Ode for St Cecilias Day on CD

Handel: Ode for St Cecilias Day, G.F. Handel (composer) Palmer / Rolfe Johnson / Concuntus Musicus Wien. It is really remarkable how modern Harnoncourt's account of this celebratory work sounds even today, over thirty years after it's recording. The Concentus Musicus Wien was in the forefront of authentic Baroque performances with neat, sprung rhythms in the more propulsive sections and admirably poised dignity in the reflective passages. Individual instrumental lines emerge clearly and allow one to hear, in particular, Harnoncourt's own expressive cello obbligato accompaniment. Vibrato is minimal but the string tone never wheezes or groans. Dryden's text is enunciated with great precision and clarity by both the Swedish choir and the two superb soloists, Felicity Palmer and the late Anthony Rolfe Johnson.