Handel: Oboe Concertos

This album presents the corpus of oboe concertos by George Frideric Handel (1685-1759), of which unfortunately few original works have survived. The composer, however, was particularly fond of this instrument and learned to play it from his teacher, the organist Friedrich Zachow. He gave it many solos in oratorios, operas, concerti grossi and sonatas, and is reported to have said of his early works for oboe: "I used to write like the D-v [Devil] in those days, but chiefly for the oboe, which was my favourite instrument."

The Oboe Concerto in G minor is his best known, furthermore we hear two Concerto-Pasticcio's for Oboe and Strings, a Concerto a Cinque in C minor, a Concerto in C minor and the adaptation of the Concerto grosso Op. 3 No. 3 for oboe and strings.

Excellent performances by Andrius Puskunigis and the Klaipėda Chamber Orchestra, following the principals of Historically Informed Performance Practice while playing modern instruments. Puskunigis' earlier recording of Bach Oboe Concertos (BC 94991) and Telemann received excellent reviews, praising his vitality, flexibility and "Spielfreude".