Taverner Consort / Parrott - Canon & Gigue/Arrival of the Q - Music & Performance - CD

A BAROQUE FESTIVAL is a nice collection of Baroque music by various composers, performed skillfully by the Taverner Players under the direction of Andrew Parrott. Henry Purcell represents the earliest period with his fascinating 'Three Parts upon a Ground.' Also from the early Baroque we have the famous Canon in D by Pachelbel in its more traditional setting, quicker and lighter with a smaller ensemble, where it makes a unique and specific impression. The Harp Concerto of Handel is a wonderful piece played well by harpist Andrew Lawrence-King, and as well we find several Sinfonias of Bach, written to precede his choral cantatas. These are lesser-heard pieces and it is satisfying to find them here in their full sound and stately strength on a CD full of well-played pieces.