Handel: Concerti Grossi, Op. 6, Nos. 1-4

These performances present Handel's 12 concertos, Op. 6, on three separate discs. They are not, however, among the more desirable renditions. In the first place, the main body of strings sounds too small, with insufficient contrast between solo and tutti episodes. And Trevor Pinnock's tempos tend toward the lethargic, particularly when compared to the best of the competition. Given the success these performers have had with other music by Handel, their failure here is puzzling. But there it is. --David Hurwitz