Handel: Keyboard Suites, Vol. 1

George Frederick Handel (Composer), Andrei Gavrilov (Performer), Sviatoslav Richter (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Andrei Gavrilov, Sviatoslav Richter
• Composer: George Frederick Handel
• Audio CD (May 24, 2005)
• SPARS Code: ADD
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: EMI Classics
• ASIN: B0007RO57U
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #34,898 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Collector's Item! Richter and Gavrilov play Handel's Keyboard Suites, August 8, 2007

By 

dv_forever (Michigan, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Handel: Keyboard Suites, Vol. 1 (Audio CD)

This used to be available in EMI's double forte series. It went out of print but is now thankfully available in EMI's super cheap Gemini series. This Gemini series has some really great finds and this Handel set is no exception. Buy both 2CD sets and you'll get the whole of Handel's keyboard suites and they've never been realized better than here.

It's strange that someone with the stature of Richter would go after this particular repertoire. There is no truly great music here, it's a bit out of the way but a wonderful counterpart to some of Handel's richer works. Richter partnered with the ,( at the time ), young Gavrilov.

Gavrilov's playing is so rich and imaginative that just as Richter himself noted, people couldn't tell the difference which suite was played by old man Richter or young gun Gavrilov when they listened to this recording. ( Don't worry, the credits are marked in the liner notes for all to see. ) I would say this set is a winner on all counts. Buy this and the other volume as well.

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Handel's magic, September 18, 2009

By 

Orpheus "a wayfarer" (on the road) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Handel: Keyboard Suites, Vol. 1 (Audio CD)

This double cd is part of an integral recording of Handel's keyboard suites on piano by the legendary Sviatoslav Richter and renowned Andrei Gavrilov.

Andrei Gavrilov was still a littleknown and young pianist, when these life performances were recorded. Since then, he slowly built up an impressive set of recordings of which his Bach and Prokoffief are perhaps most notable. Sadly he seems to have ceased recording. As is obvious from these performances, the young Gavrilov does not pale in comparison with the epic presence of the great Sviatoslav Richter. The legend even noted, that most people could not tell the difference between the two pianists playing the Handel piano Canon integrally: taking turns every two suites.

As for the music: one of the mysteries of baroque music is surely the sparse recordings of this marvelous music. Keyboard music from the baroque era is automatically compared to that of Bach, as his prodigious and without exception iconic output has eclipsed anything else from that period. Handel though, is a master in his own right. While Bach has influenced the music on the continent, Handel is even greater on the British Isles. Mainly because of his Oratoria and Operas, which in a way are reflected into keyboard suites who share the same intense lyrical quality.

This music is more relaxed, intimate and sunny compared to Bach's suites. Handel's language is characterized by a poetic, yet expansive quality, sometimes reminiscent of Beethoven's late piano sonates = which were heavily influenced by Handel. When listening to these recordings, it's obvious that the music is rendered with understanding and love...The soul of these pieces is purveyed with a delicacy and urgency that shines in comparison with the many baroque piano recordings that have followed since then. The recording has a very spontaneous and almost improvisational feel to it, that's very appealing. Like Bach, this music clears my mind and lifts me up, yet seems more personal and playful...

Richter and Gavrilov have succeeded in bringing the warmth and joy of Handel's to the surface, combined with his virtuosity and unique style that seems to capture many unknown pearls of wisdom... I cannot but highly recommend this music and this version to anyone who loves piano and baroque music.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Love this music, December 28, 2009

By 

L. Polgar (Laguna Beach, CA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Handel: Keyboard Suites, Vol. 1 (Audio CD)

Almost did not buy this CD as one reviewer poo pooed it for some reason (sound quality? sneezing during live performance?) I found none of that and love it as much as the other CD by same composer and with same artists. I play them over and over again. Quite wonderful recordings. Glad I own them.