In the autumn of 2020, Francesco Corti published a superb programme, including various works by Johann Sebastian Bach surrounded by pieces by Kuhnau, Telemann and Hasse. A delightful surprise! The publication of the second volume of his complete keyboard concertos by the Leipzig Cantor (with il Pomo d'Oro, Pentatone) a few months later proved one thing: this young Italian is, without doubt, one of the most accomplished and inventive musicians in the modern baroque scene. This time, Arcana are releasing the great Suites pour clavecin by Georg Friedrich Handel; more precisely the complete first volume of the eight Suites that Handel published in London in 1720. Corti alternates them with excerpts from operas, using keyboard transcriptions that were made during Handel's lifetime.
The recording by the incredible Ken Yoshida is less bright than in the previous Arcana release, but it still fully immerses us into the instrument; this winning performance by the Italian harpsichordist is hypnotising. The transcriptions of Rodelinda (magnificent!), Il pastor fido, Rinaldo (William Babell's highly ornate arrangement of Lascia ch'io pianga, which possesses an agogic freedom which is simply magic), Radamisto and Teseo, are the climax of this double album, dramatically laying bare the harpsichordist's seemingly inexhaustible talent.
With his first eight Suites from 1720, Handel left behind hard evidence of his innate mastery on the piano, and Francesco Corti revels in it. These pieces are full of energy, momentum, and contrasts and the last two numbers of Suite No. 3 (Doubles - Presto) are exquisite! A while back, Pierre Hantaï approached some of these same works with synthesis and reflection. Francesco Corti, on the other hand, sees them more as an object of study, a writing experience, a game. It’s a musical firework display and a real game-changer! © Pierre-Yves Lascar/Qobuz