Vladimir Spivakov abandons his violin for the podium and conducts the Moscow Virtuosi in performances which acknowledge many of the stylistic developments which have taken place in baroque performance over the past 25 years or so. Repeats—and that includes those related to each of the two parts of the French overtures—are scrupulously observed, tempos are lively, continuo support light-footed... Spivakov's sensibility to the music is unmistakable- he never tramples over it and never over-inflates it. The menuets and bourrees of the C major Suite are articulated with great delicacy and played with finesse. The Forlane, too, is poised and agreeably leisurely making one feel inclined to take to the floor... Tobias Carron (flute) gives an engaging account of the B minor Suite and the brass and timpani in the Third and Fourth Suites are splendidly resonant... Good recorded sound and interesting notes. Well worth considering.
