Consistency of tone and high performance standards make this double disc of slow movements an enjoyable relaxation compilation, but Handel's Largos has the additional virtue of presenting truly great music that is seldom anthologized. The famous Largo from Xerxes opens the collection, and in its form as the aria, "Ombra Mai Fu" closes the album. Yet between these two tracks are over 100 minutes of beautiful but little-known music drawn from concertos, sonatas, oratorios, and suites. The various instrumental combinations in the concerto grosso selections provide enough color to sustain interest, and the chamber works add a degree of intimacy that pleasantly contrasts with the orchestral numbers. Overall, the program flows smoothly and the volume stays balanced throughout, an admirable achievement for a collection of this length. Purists may find the majority of the performances too lush, particularly those led by Jean-François Paillard. However, their richness is offset by the leaner performances offered by Ton Koopman, John Eliot Gardiner, and Nikolaus Harnoncourt, who strive for more authentic performance practices. While this album is not intended to resolve issues of musicology, the inclusion of different approaches is commendable. More importantly, listeners of all persuasions will find something wonderful here, if only because Handel's genius always trumps matters of interpretation. ~ Blair Sanderson, All Music Guide
