I Zefirelli - Mr. Handel in the Pub - Baroque Meets Folk

With 'Mr Handel in the Pub', the ensemble I Zefirelli explores the grey area between so-called serious music and light music and, in the best London tradition, juxtaposes baroque and folk music. Georg Frideric Handel, with his Sonata � Flauto e Cembalo (HWV 367a) and the folk-style Hornpipe (HWV 367a), represents this typically English balancing act between art and folklore.Similarly, Henry Purcell's serious Sonata VIII � 3 is also contrasted with a merry, folk-inspired hornpipe from his incidental music to William Congreve's play The Old Bachlor.Furthermore, this CD contains sets of folk dances from an anthology of dances called The Dancing Master and Scot Tunes after William McGibbon and Francesco Barsanti.One of the highlights of this CD is I Zefirellis virtuosic interpretation of Arcangelo Corelli's genius La Folia.

A Handel Sonata � Flauto e Cembalo played by Luise Catenhusen and Tilmann Albrecht is exquisite [�]. Corelli's La Folia is a treat, violinist Maria Carrasco Gil making sparks fly near the close, and the Ground after Scotch Humour by one Nicola Mattheis is joyous. History and entertainment in a handy package, with excellent sleeve notes and fun cover art � highly recommended. � The Arts Desk

Half the fun is in the titles; who wouldn't want to hear Mr Lane's Magot or The Mad Buckgoat? I Zefirelli really convince in the popular numbers, with some flamboyant baroque guitar and percussion contributions from Tobias Tietze and Jeroen Finke, whose extended solo after the final medley is worth the disc price alone. - � The Arts Desk