The Kirkby sound Handel from a special voice, with BASIL RAMSEY BIS    BIS-CD-1065

The CD collection has long been an inviting purchase for those whose musical predilections have always cherished a few outstanding performers. Emma Kirkby has other compilations of this kind in the catalogues, but this recent collection of Latin motets by Handel brings little-known pieces out of permanent twilight, notably Laudate pueri from Handel's teens (17 or so). It reminds me of the intensity that is also found in Dixit Dominus of the same period.

The 27 tracks are shared between voice and instruments, and the listener curious about these byways of Handel's miniatures has an enjoyable time ahead, plus some instrumental delicacies. Emma Kirkby is as radiant as I remember in live and recorded concerts for some years [listen -- track 3, 0:00-1:11].

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Record Box is Music & Vision's regular Wednesday series of shorter CD reviews