Handel’s harpsichord music may have languished in the shadow of Bach’s more famed mastery of the instrument, but as these new recordings and scholarly notes by Michael Borgstede show, such comparisons are invidious. Handel was known as a superb keyboard player, and these dance suites exploit the expressive and technical resources of his instrument with no less mastery than that of his Leipzig counterpart, and with a joie de vivre that makes listening a constant diversion and delight. There are very few rival sets of this music on record, and Borgstede has made an important contribution to what will be the worldwide celebrations to mark the 250th anniversary of Handel’s death in 2009.

Recorded in 2008.

Extensive booklet notes by the performer.