Emma Kirkby, London Baroque - Handel: Sacred Cantatas (2001)

Emma Kirkby is so well-known, at least among fans of historically informed performance practice, that it is hardly necessary to describe here her immaculate vibratoless soprano. Her voice has, of course, matured over the years, and on this 1999 recording she no longer sounds as girlish as on her early recordings with the Academy of Ancient Music - this is the experienced voice of a devoted early music singer who, while growing older and, presumably, wiser, has remained faithful to her ideals: clarity, musicality, authenticity and beauty. These nouns will probably go through the mind of anyone who listens to this wonderful BIS recording on which the "divine" Ms. Kirkby is accompanied by four equally devoted "HIPP" musicians who ensure that the musical textures remain absolutely transparent. In this they are supported by BIS's usual impeccable engineering. Only two of the five pieces on this CD are heard regularly, so even Handel connoisseurs may find new delights here (the "cantatas" [?] or solo motets were composed during Handel's stay in Rome 1707/08, the "Laudate Pueri" may in fact date back to Handel's teenage years in Halle; the trio sonata is not taken from Handel's later Op. 2 or 5 but from a manuscript kept in the Saxon State Library at Dresden). In the booklet there is a brief introduction to the music by Charles Medlam, and the Latin texts are printed with Medlam's own translations - on occasion he seems to have been "inspired" to depart from the Latin grammar and translate rather freely. - The all paper Disc Box Slider packaging that here replaces a jewel box is a fine example of how even the music industry can save energy and protect the environment.