Handel at Vauxhall Vol 1 review: ranges from slightly yokelish to sophisticatedly pastoral

The Vauxhall pleasure gardens, “an idealized rural paradise on the edge of London”, operated from 1661 to 1859.

Music was an important part of the pleasure they provided, especially in the 18th century, and Handel, as the pre-eminent composer working in 18th-century England, was well represented.

Limerick-born, London-based conductor Bridget Cunningham has assembled music by Handel, Arne and Hebden to recreate “the first act in a typical evening’s concert” from Vauxhall in the 1740s.

The highlights include a sprightly organ concerto (Op 4 No 2 with Daniel Moult), the gloriously lugubrious Dead March from Saul, and vocal items that range from slightly yokelish to sophisticatedly pastoral.

The measure, at 48 minutes, is short.

signumrecords.com