This 8CD set contains the complete harpsichord works by Handel.

Handel was, like his contemporaries J S Bach and Scarlatti, a formidable keyboard player, a virtuoso displaying “an uncommon brilliancy and command of finger” (Handel’s first biographer John Mainwaring). Although Handel’s focus was on opera and oratorio (much more commercial…), his output for the harpsichord is of high quality, great variety and instrumental originality.

Handel’s best known and popular works for the harpsichord are the 8 great suites, beautiful melodious works written for professionals and amateurs. In addition, he wrote a great quantity of separate preludes, fugues, lessons, dances and chaconnes.

These are excellent performances by two keyboard specialists: the suites are played by Michael Borgstede: “textual clarity, crisp ornamentation and complete grasp of the music” (Gramophone). The other works are played by one of the foremost Italian keyboard players, Roberto Loreggian, who has recorded successfully for Brilliant Classics works by Frescobaldi, Gabrieli and Vivaldi.