Reviewed by Simon Carpenter

A seemingly unbeatable combination of Mackerras, the ECO and Handel that sounds as good as it looks on paper. The "Fireworks Music" needs no introduction, but the Concerti A Due Core are perhaps less well known. The exact circumstances of their composition are uncertain, but there is little doubt that they were first heard during the first performances of the three new oratorios that Handel introduced in his Lenten seasons at Covent Garden Theatre in 1747 and 1748; each premiere was advertised as including a "New Concerto". In each case the concerto was probably played before the third act of the associated oratorio. Handel drew heavily upon earlier compositions when composing the concertos, making particular use of oratorio choruses - listen out for the familiar sound of "And The Glory Of The Lord" early on in Concerto No 1. All in all, fine music beautifully performed.

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