Handel wrote the solo sonatas of Opus 1 for the professional musicians of his London opera orchestra.They demand considerable skill and stamina both from the soloist and the continuo. Prominent bass parts give the sonatas a contrapuntal strength and vitality, and Handel keeps the elements of display and purely musical argument in admirable balance in these works. For this reason, they are among the most attractive Baroque solo sonatas and deserve their lasting popularity. Played here by members of the Academy of Ancient Music under the leadership of Richard Egarr, Handel's delightful sonatas are shown to be true masterpieces written by a composer at the height of his powers.