Handel's Garden: Pinnock's Passions, Sam Wanamaker Playhouse

The Sam Wanamaker Playhouse continues their Pinnock's Passions concert series with Handel's Garden. Curator Trevor Pinnock is considered a pioneer in performing on historical instruments, and is well known as a harpsichordist and conductor. Former artistic director of the National Arts Centre Orchestra and founder of The English Concert and The Classical Band in New York, he has over 30 years of experience in baroque and early classical music. 

Pinnock's Passions is a series of four concerts all with a different theme. Handel often took inspiration from other composers. As a result, Handel's Garden focuses on not only the work of the composer, but of those who influenced him. The programme delves into some of the unexplored sources Handel used in his music. The concert includes music from Handel's Alcina, Semele and his Oboe concert in G minor, as well as Telemann’s Trio Sonata in E minor for flute, oboe and basso continuo from Tafelmusik. Orlando Bird, freelancer for The Telegraph, says, 'Anything that combines Trevor Pinnock and Handel is likely to be good.'

Performers not only include Pinnock on harpsichord, but soprano Lucy Crowe, known for her work with the English National Opera and the Royal Opera. Katharina Spreckelsen on oboe and Katy Bircher on flute will also be in the ensemble.