Handel: Violin Sonata / Hiro Kurosaki, William Christie, Composer: George Frideric Handel, Performer: Hiro Kurosaki, William Christie, Number of Discs: 1. There's no way of knowing whether or not George Frideric Handel really wrote all seven of these sonatas. Even if he did, it is quite possible that some of them were written for different instruments than the ones used here. It can be a humbling lesson for musicologists to learn that a great piece of music is still great regardless of who wrote it, and for what combination of instruments. At any rate, the sonatas included here probably come from Handel's youth, old age, and everything in between. The D-major sonata (HWV 371) is thought to be among the composer's last works. On the other hand, the G-major sonata (HWV 358) is likely to have been written when he was in his twenties. Nevertheless, these seven sonatas are of a consistently high quality, and ingratiating to both the ear and the intellect. The verdict is easy to deliver. This is relatively unfamiliar music that encompasses a wide range of emotions with grace and intelligence. There's no hint of monotony here. Kurosaki and Christie play the sonatas with vitality and discernment, and with no little personality. The flawless engineering creates a palpable feeling of performance space. No reservations: this is worth exploring.