The Unknown Handel • Jed Wentz

I got to hear Musica ad Rhenum live one year at the Lufthansa Festival of Baroque Music in London. I'd already known Wentz with his performances with Musica Antiqua Köln; in person he did not disappoint, his telltale signature being quick tempos.

In this recording, we get music by Handel (or at least attributed to him), and while all the pieces aren't truly "unknown," some are arrangements. All together we get HWV 399, 404, 288, 287, 339, & 390b.

It wouldn't be surprising that the transverse flute plays a major role in this CD. What's surprising, perhaps, is the production with a fuller ensemble with what was originally chamber pieces.

The performances all take on quick tempi in the fast movements; none of the slow ones linger for too long, either.I am not impressed with the sound quality, overall, it sounds "compressed." I purchased this from Amazon's MP3 store; who knows, that could be a part of the problem. Headphones adds something to the listening experience.

Yet, the musicians here are in top-form. I therefore recommend this release if you've liked any of this composer's "Concerti Grossi" for strings (op. 3, op. 6), but want to try something for the color of wind instruments. You no doubt may recognize a few of the tracks (HWV 287 is built upon an organ concerto), but my guess is that many of the tracks are indeed new to you, too. Interestingly, they include one of Telemann's Concerti a Quattro. Since I didn't buy the recording with liner notes, I am not sure why, but it's a nice little folly away from all the other Handel.