This is a debut CD from the Parnassian Ensemble, two recorders and continuo who have here homed in on a historical period and location in which the recorder was briefly a genuine concert instrument. The composers represented are thus mostly men who lived and performed in “Queen Anne’s London”, which is to say the first years of the 18th century. A mixture of Englishmen and immigrants, they produced few masterpieces between them on this evidence – except for Purcell and Handel, that is, who by finding their way in elevate things rather, even if neither of their compositions really fits the theme. It may sound wise after the event to say so, but even such a minor piece as Henry Purcell’s Second Harpsichord Suite hints at an expressive world beyond the reach of a Pepusch or Finger, while Handel’s F major Trio Sonata, last work on the disc, really is in a different class of compositional skill and interest.

The remaining pieces are pleasant, if rarely truly memorable. William Williams opens his sonata with some conventional bird imitations, William Corbett turns out a natty fugal movement, and James Paisible’s suites demonstrate his native French elegance. There is also a feisty little Cello Sonata from Nicola Haym, later to be one of Handel’s librettists.

The Parnassian Ensemble perform them with style and intelligence, if not the kind of inspired musical wizardry and energy that a group like the Palladian Ensemble might have brought, and which could have lifted them out of the ordinary. The Parnassians are at their best relishing the harmonic strengths of the more sustained slowish movements; the quicker ones beg more playfulness and fire. A disc primarily for interested Baroque buffs, I guess.