CEDILLE RECORDS: CDR 90000 032
GEORGE FRIDERIC HANDEL (1685-1759)
THE SONATAS FOR VIOLIN AND CONTINUO
RACHEL BARTON PINE, VIOLIN
JOHN MARK ROZENDAAL, VIOLONCELLO
DAVID SCHRADER, HARPSICHORD

Sonata in A Major, HWV361
Sonata in D Minor, HWV 359a
Sonata in F Major, HWV370
Sonata in G Major, HWV358
Sonata in G Minor, HWV364a
Allegro in C Minor, HWV408
Sonata in A Major, HWV372
Andante in A Minor, HWV412
Sonata in G Minor, HWV368
Sonata in D Major, HWV371





I became fascinated with the practice of historically-informed performance when I was about 14. My comfort with this style progressed gradually. At first, I worked on phrasing and articulation and composed all of my ornaments. Next, I experimented with a baroque bow. Later, I began using gut strings and a baroque violin. Finally, I became comfortable even with improvising ornamentation during performances. For this recording, I take a moderate approach. A baroque bow, my own ornamentation, and historically-informed tempi and phrasing are combined with a modernized 1617 Amati violin and contemporary techniques of vibrato.

Harpsichordist David Schrader and cellist John Mark Rozendaal were two of my baroque coaches throughout my teenage years. When Cedille Records invited me to record the complete violin sonatas by Handel, I immediately asked to collaborate with John and David as my continuo. Our exchange of ideas made the recording sessions delightful. Most of this dialogue was musical rather than spoken; as we "jammed" in the WFMT studio, the time seemed to fly by. Our synergy was so exciting that we decided to continue performing together as a chamber group, now known as Trio Settecento.