Sonata HWV 399, Op.5/4 [Orchestra version from Alcina]

Sonata HWV 399, Op.5/4 [Orchestra version from Alcina] [1739]1. Allegro (1st movement in the Sonata)2. Sarabande (Alcina) 3. Il Ballo (Alcina) 4. Menuet (Sonata & Alcina)5. Gigue (Sonata & Alcina) 6. Passacaille (Sonata) This performance does what Handel himself used to do, namely borrowing orchestrated versions of movements from the Trio Sonata HWV 399 and dances from the opera Alcina. The original Trio Sonata HWV 399 was itself a break with tradition with its 5 movements that included cheerful, operatic style dances. The original five movements were themselves borrowed from several operas including Athalia, Parnasson in festa, Radamisto and Alcina, so today’s performance takes this process a step further.