Catalogue

Summary:

“Matthew Halls begins this with a fabulous flourish on the organ before Sonnerie launch in, setting the pace for the rest of this lively and engaging disc. Halls, using a fascinating Dutch chamber organ which is perfect for the intimately balanced ensemble, plays the solos in Concerto No 6 (the ‘harp’ concerto) with admirable delicacy and affection. The bouncy finale of Concerto No 5 is a model of zesty vivaciousness … Inspiring interpretations that are a joy from beginning to end” – Gramophone

Monica Huggett and her ensemble Sonnerie scored a hit on Avie with their recording of Handel’s Trio Sonatas, Op. 2 (AV 0033). They continue their traversal of Handel’s chamber works with the Organ Concertos, Op. 4. Matthew Halls is the brilliant soloist who spins out Handel’s endlessly tuneful works with an improvisatory flair that the composer – himself a virtuoso organist – would surely have approved. Halls was Assistant Organist at New College, Oxford and Director of Music at the University Church before playing harpsichord with the European Union Baroque Orchestra in 1998. Since then he has played with many of Europe’s leading period instrument ensembles, including Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra with Tom Koopman, English Baroque Soloists with Sir John Eliot Gardiner, and the King’s Consort. As a member of Sonnerie, he has appeared at the Wigmore Hall and at Festivals throughout Europe. Matthew is also active as a conductor and is currently assistant musical director of New Chamber Opera. On this recording, he plays a replica of a Baroque style chamber organ, built by Jaap Fama and Henk Klop, and owned by the Dutch Bach Society.

Tracklist:

GEORGE FRIDERIC HANDEL (1685–1759)

Organ Concerto No. 4 in F Major, HWV 292
1. I. Allegro (3:59)
2. II. Andante (5:28)
3. III. Adagio (1:20)
4. IV. Allegro (3:41)

Organ Concerto No. 2 in B Flat Major, HWV 290
5. I. Sinfonia (0:55)
6. II. Allegro (4:31)
7. III. Adagio e staccato (0:44)
8. IV. Allegro ma non presto (3:58)

Organ Concerto No. 3 in G Minor, HWV 291
9. I. Adagio (3:23)
10. II. Allegro (4:06)
11. III. Adagio (0:47)
12. IV. Gavotte (2:22)

Organ Concerto No. 6 in B Flat Major, HWV 294
13. I. Andante allegro (5:59)
14. II. Larghetto – Adagio (3:47)
15. III. Allegro moderato (2:37)

Organ Concerto No. 5 in F Major, HWV 293
16. I. Larghetto (2:01)
17. II. Allegro (2:19)
18. III. Alla Siciliana (1:39)
19. IV. Presto (2:15)

Organ Concerto No. 1 in G Minor, HWV 289
20. I. Larghetto e staccato – Adagio (5:50)
21. II. Allegro (5:30)
22. III. Adagio (1:24)
23. IV. Andante (3:38)

Total duration: 72:25

Matthew Halls, organ
Sonnerie | Monica Huggett, director

Recorded 16 – 18 July 2003, at Saint Silas Church, Kentish Town, London
Recording Producer and Balance Engineer: François Eckert