On their latest project for Pan Classics, the Amsterdam-based Ensemble Odyssee presents the Concertos op. 3 for “sixth flute” (a soprano recorder in D) of William Babell, mostly known (in his day and now) for his demanding arrangements for harpsichord of arias of his contemporary, George Frideric Handel. The works included on this release were probably performed by members of Handel’s orchestra, and often clearly take their inspiration from the master’s music. Also included is the first recording of a Sinfonia for strings and solo harpsichord, probably the first concerto ever written for this instrument. Anna Stegmann on recorder, Andrea Friggi on harpsichord and the always exquisite Ensemble Odysee render a first-rate performance of a very rare, unjustly neglected repertoire.
