Marcel Ponseele is currently one of the most expressive baroque oboists around. His contributions to many recordings by Philippe Herreweghe and Ton Koopman, among others, are invariably outstanding; so it is with particular eagerness that I await the all too few solo recitals that he has issued in recent years. One of them, of oboe music by Telemann (Accent, 8/96), was released about three years ago, providing us with the finest example imaginable of what this artist is capable of. Here he follows it up with pieces by Handel and Vivaldi. It is a satisfying sequel, musically and from an interpretative standpoint.
Vivaldi is represented by his only Sonata for oboe and continuo. It's in C minor and is a piece of great strength, requiring virtuosity. Ponseele plays it seemingly without a care in the world: effortless phrasing, clear articulation and irresistible warmth of tone. Vivaldi's single example of a Trio Sonata for two oboes is also happily included. It's an engaging work, of less substance than the solo work in C minor, but of considerable charm. Ponseele is joined by Ann Vanlancker for this item.
The remaining music on the disc, with the exception of the Trio in B flat (HWV380) whose authenticity is not secure, is by Handel and includes his B flat Sonata from the Fitzwilliam manuscript, the comparatively well-known C minor Sonata from the music publisher John Walsh's Op 1, and the F major Sonata, which is also included in the Walsh set but for transverse flute and in G major (H363b).
If you want to hear evidence of poetic playing of a high order, then the slow movements of these last-mentioned sonatas will provide you with it, with Ponseele supported to the full by an excellent continuo team. Only the accompanying note fails to give unqualified pleasure, for of Vivaldi's music there is not a word save a single observation that it forms part of Ponseele's programme. But the disc, nevertheless, deserves high commendation.'