Handel: Neun Deutsche Arien; Gloria

Emma Kirkby has chosen to combine the Nine German Arias, Handel's last settings of texts in his native language, with the much earlier Gloria, discovered in 2001 and given its premiere recording - by Emma Kirkby herself - in the same year. As a result of the smaller forces (two violins, cello and chamber organ) employed on this re-recording of the exuberant work, the performance has a more intimate atmosphere, giving an interesting perspective on a piece which although written 300 years ago, is still a new addition to the repertoire.