Pamela Thorby has an international reputation as one of the most versatile and stylish recorder players of her generation. Her virtuoso playing can be heard on numerous recordings, ranging from the medieval period to the present day. Richard Egarr began their musical partnership as students together at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, leading to acclaimed duo recitals at the Purcell Room and the Wigmore Hall in London. They have appeared in concert and on disc together on many occasions as their respective careers progressed, but this is the first time that they have recorded together as a duo. This is their second solo album and a second Gramophone 'Choice' accolade which was widely acclaimed as a benchmark recording.

Whatever the elusive truth may be regarding the ‘Englishness' of these 'Six Suittes avec leurs Preludes', there is no denying the imagination of the keyboard writing. Each Suite is headed by a Prelude of substantial proportions, followed by wonderfully varied dance movements, all perfectly suited to showcase the joyful brilliance of Richard Egarr's harpsichord skill.

Soprano Emma Bell's outstanding second solo album, which features the Scottish Chamber Orchestra. Creditably, the recital includes a number of less well-known arias from Handel's operas, with a wide range of emotions and tempos, from the sombre "Sommi dei", once recorded by Kirsten Flagstad, and two laments from "Rodelinda" to Melissa's summoning the Furies, with trumpet obbligato, in "Desterò dall empia dite", which launches the disc with vigour…

Bach wrote three sonatas for viola da gamba and harpsichord. Scholars estimate they were composed in the early 1740s, possibly for Carl Fredrich Abel, son of Bach's colleague Christian Ferdinand Abel. They are paired here with Scarlatti's Gamba Sonata and a Violin Sonata by Handel. These works are performed by violinist Robin Michael, cellist Steven Isserlis and harpsichordist Richard Egarr in a program of haunting tranquility.

Legends of the period-performance community Sarah Cunningham and Richard Egarr need little introduction with their contributions to recorded music garnering critical acclaim from early music afficionados across the decades. They join forces for their AVIE Records debut recording of J.S. Bach’s celebrated Sonatas for Viola da Gamba and Harpsichord together with Cunningham’s dazzling Organ Trio Sonata and Flute Partita arrangements to conclude the programme.