DISCOVER: MUSIC OF THE BAROQUE ERA

Unger-Hamilton's survey of Baroque music includes 41 musical selections from such well-known composers as Bach, Handel, and Vivaldi. To an American ear, Sebastian Comberti's British accent and somewhat Waspish voice sound ultra-precise, but his expressiveness and seemingly genuine interest in the material keep him likable and engaging. His French, Italian, and German accents are excellent. His pacing is lively, perhaps a shade quick at times, given the amount of detail covered. The program's audio format makes the musical examples immediately available; the performances are uniformly good. Some selections are identified only afterward, which can be frustrating, but all, with their performers, are listed in an accompanying booklet. This program is instruction at its best—informative and enjoyable. W.M. © AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine [Published: OCTOBER 2009]