Reinhard Goebel by Fasch, J. F., Vivaldi, Händel, Bach, Johann Christian, Cannabich, C., Alates (2022/2022), Dirigent Reinhard Goebel, Munich Residence, Herkulessaal, Munich, Germany

“Handel is always to be preferred above all others.” Thus Charley Burney wrote in his Present State of Music in 1772. The music of Italy, in contrast, he found “paltry”. But Burney was highly selective in his opinion, for he wrote “only” about contemporary composers. By that time Vivaldi had been dead for 30 years, otherwise his assessment would have been different. Nor was Fasch alive at the time. On the other hand, Burney knew the “London Bach” and heard Cannabich’s “estimable symphonies” in Schwetzingen. From these five composers Reinhard Goebel, a leading figure in period performance practice, has chosen a programme of works for double ensemble, in which two orchestras “concertize” with or against each other. The centrepiece is Vivaldi’s brilliant Concerto for Four Flutes and Orchestra, likewise a contest between virtuosos. Played with verve and panache, the music becomes an utter delight for the listener!