Reviewed by Dave Massey

Where would 18th century Europe have been without Handel? It would have been like 20th century Britain without Andrew Lloyd Webber (sarcastic comments on a postcard please...only joking!). Well, here are two works that have been running non stop to audiences for the last 250 years and are still going strong. Handel had a penchant for the big occasion and knew how to stir souls to worship or awe or contemplation. The Slovak Chamber Orchestra give the works a slightly more romantic flavour than I like, but with admirable style and energy. If you can't wait until November the 5th to listen to the Fireworks music at full blast while the roman candle splutters to an untimely end in the garden, then I can recommend sitting in front of a freshly poured glass of Alka Seltzer with the afore mentioned music, and watching the bubbles zing skywards.