Bernard Coutaz
President and founder of harmonia mundi

50 years of Harmonia Mundi

2008 marks the 50th anniversary of the foundation of Harmonia Mundi. To help them celebrate, we are offering one 'Golden CD' from the Harmonia Mundi catalogue each week (starting Mondays) throughout 2008, at 50% off its normal price.

This week's Golden CD

Handel: Concerti grossi, Op. 6

Academy of Ancient Music, Andrew Manze

Considered among the finest examples of Baroque orchestral music, Handel’s Concerti Grossi, Op.6, completed in 1739 over a mere four weeks, surpass the work of other outstanding composers of the form, such as Vivaldi, Scarlatti, and Corelli. Conceived as a grand cycle rather than as individual compositions, these 12 pieces demonstrate Handel’s facility blending a variety of styles and devices with seemingly endless melodic beauty.

Andrew Manze leads The Academy of Ancient Music in a vivid and vibrant performance.

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Handel: Concerti grossi Op. 6 Nos. 1-12 HMV319-330

Handel: Concerti grossi Op. 6 Nos. 1-12 HMV319-330

Academy of Ancient Music, Andrew Manze

Harmonia Mundi Golden CD

Click here for full details

Harmonia Mundi - HMU907228/29

(CD - 2 discs)

Normally: £19.99 (£17.01 ex. VAT)

Special: £9.99 (£8.50 ex. VAT)

In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day.

Press comments:

"...[Manze's] peerless judgment which, together with the impeccable ensemble playing of the Academy of Ancient Music and a beautifully focused recording, makes this a first choice, regardless of whether one favours a traditional or 'authentic' approach." The Scotsman

"Manze and his players give virtuosic, high energy performances of these exuberant works, in a crystal clear recording." The Observer

"Manze is irrepressible. His imagination, puckish wit and total absorption in the spirit of Handel is enthralling...He plays constantly to the limits but, to my mind, never beyond them. So the final Allegro of Concerto No. 11 is manically energetic; the pianissimo episodes in the angular fugue of Concerto No. 2 are lovingly caressed; ornaments sound spontaneous and are often breathtakingly virtuosic." BBC Music Magazine

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