Alison Balsom – Royal Fireworks (2019) [FLAC 24bit/192kHz]

Royal Fireworks, a collection of Baroque masterpieces and new arrangements performed with the Balsom Ensemble (her hand-picked ensemble of period instrument specialists), will be Balsom’s 13th solo release for Warner Classics and her first since 2016’s Jubilo. The album sees her perform on the natural (valveless) trumpet and features concertos and orchestral masterpieces by Handel, JS Bach, Telemann and Purcell. A pioneer of adapting works written for other solo instruments, Balsom is committed to demonstrating the versatility of the trumpet and will feature three new orchestrations by arranger Simon Wright on the album.

‘I’ve been making recordings for almost 20 years and this has been by far the most enjoyable recording experience I’ve had,’ Balsom comments. ‘The music is full of utter joy and magic, the versions we play are often new, and in some cases quite maverick. The thrill of recording with some of the greatest artists around, all of us on Baroque instruments, who happen to also be my good friends, has been a privilege. I hope the pleasure we got from playing this music comes across on the album.’

Tracklist:
1. Handel: Music for the Royal Fireworks, HWV 351: I. Overture (Adagio) (2:13)
2. Handel: Music for the Royal Fireworks, HWV 351: II. Allegro – Lentement – Allegro (5:14)
3. Handel: Music for the Royal Fireworks, HWV 351: III. Bourrée (1:04)
4. Handel: Music for the Royal Fireworks, HWV 351: IV. La Paix (Largo alla siciliana) (3:42)
5. Handel: Music for the Royal Fireworks, HWV 351: V. La Réjouissance (1:28)
6. Handel: Music for the Royal Fireworks, HWV 351: VI. Minuet 1 (0:46)
7. Handel: Music for the Royal Fireworks, HWV 351: VII. Minuet 2 (1:40)
8. Purcell: Trumpet Sonata in D Major, Z. 850: I. Allegro (1:16)
9. Purcell: Trumpet Sonata in D Major, Z. 850: II. Adagio (1:53)
10. Purcell: Trumpet Sonata in D Major, Z. 850: III. Allegro (2:26)
11. Bach, JS / Arr. Wright: Cantata No. 147, Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben, BWV147: Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring (3:03)
12. Telemann: Trumpet Concerto, TWV 51:D7: I. Adagio (2:09)
13. Telemann: Trumpet Concerto, TWV 51:D7: II. Allegro (1:56)
14. Telemann: Trumpet Concerto, TWV 51:D7: III. Grave (1:57)
15. Telemann: Trumpet Concerto, TWV 51:D7: IV. Allegro (1:43)
16. Bach, JS / Arr. Wright : Weihnachtsoratorium, BWV 248, Pt. 1: No. 1, Jauchzet, frohlocket, auf, preiset die Tage (3:09)
17. Bach, JS / Arr. Wright : Weihnachtsoratorium, BWV 248, Pt. 1: No. 9, Ach, mein herzliebes Jesulein (1:21)
18. Bach, JS / Arr. Wright: Weihnachtsoratorium, BWV 248, Pt. 6: No. 1, Herr, wenn die stolzen Feinde schnauben (4:41)
19. Bach, JS / Arr. Wright: Weihnachtsoratorium, BWV 248, Pt. 2: No. 1, Sinfonia in G Major, Pastorale Sinfonia (2:09)
20. Bach, JS / Arr. Wright: Weihnachtsoratorium, BWV 248, Pt. 3: No. 1, Herrscher des Himmels (1:48)
21. Bach, JS / Arr. Wright: Weihnachtsoratorium, BWV 248, Pt. 1: No. 5, Wie soll ich dich empfangen (1:15)
22. ,Bach, JS / Arr. Wright: Weihnachtsoratorium, BWV 248, Pt. 6: No. 11, Nun seid ihr wohl gerochen (3:10)
23. Purcell: Funeral Sentences for the Death of Queen Mary, Z. 27: I. March (1:59)
24. Purcell: Funeral Sentences for the Death of Queen Mary, Z. 27: VI. “Thou Knowest Lord” (1:58)
25. Purcell: Funeral Sentences for the Death of Queen Mary, Z. 27: III. Canzona (1:50)
26. Purcell: Funeral Sentences for the Death of Queen Mary, Z. 27: VII. March (1:13)