A while back, I offered a transfer of an Everest lp conducted by Canadian musicologist and conductor, Alexander Brott. The album, Beethoven - Young Prometheus contains arrangements for orchestra of studies completed by Beethoven as he was learning the art of composition. Fascinating listening.
Today, a stereo lp released in 1967 by Mace featuring Alexander Brott's son, Boris, conducting music from Handel operas and oratorios (Rodrigo, Martillo, Solomon, Jeptha) with the Northern Sinfonia of England. I believe this was Boris' first recording and it is a very convincing effort, though the Northern Sinfonia in this recording is hardly a first rate ensemble.
Boris Brott is not too well known south of the southern Canadian border but in his homeland he is well regarded as a conductor, educator, impresario, and motivational speaker. His background bears a striking resemblance to that of Boston's Benjamin Zander. Throughout his six decade career, Brott has conducted all of the major Canadian orchestras and has served as a distinguished professor at McGill University. He has been a tireless promoter of classical music and the education of children in music in Canada. For my northern friends, Brott would be regarded as a musical treasure.
Brott's Handel is sensibly performed on modern instruments and it bears a striking similarity to what Marriner would have produced around the same time period. In short, pleasing and musically stylish with a hint of period performance to it. When you think of it, it is so difficult to go wrong with Handel since his music is so well written and sparkingly tuneful. It really brings a smile to one's face!
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