Sonatas for Violin and Basso Continuo

The Brook Street Bands enthusiasm for the music of George Frideric Handel shines through on this recording of the nine Violin Sonatas by- or attributed to- the Baroque composer. The ensembles 10th release for Avie compliments its critically acclaimed and award-winning discography of a wide variety of Handels chamber music and vocal works. Combining consummate artistry with characteristic research, The Brook Street Band- posing the question how many violin sonatas did Handel actually compose?- offers nine works composed over a span of 40 years, from the German-born Handels early years honing his style in Italy to his later years as a leading light in London. He composed some and his name has been variously ascribed to others, depending on which publisher was cashing in, perhaps in cahoots with the commercially-minded composer. But who really knows and one could say who cares, with music of such color performed with such passion. These performances have a powerful stamp of authority Handel himself would have found real cause for celebration. (International Record Review on The Brook Street Bands album of Handel Cello Sonatas)