“Go to him to learn how to achieve great effects, by such simple means,” said Beethoven of Handel. Yet for all their simplicity, the works that showcase Handel’s brilliance—his oratorios and operas—are rich with dramatic strength and lyrical beauty. This collection is a modest attempt to utilize the power of the piano and organ to explore the great sense of melody on display in those works. In the hands of a lesser composer, the character of Handel’s music could be lost, but Gilbert M. Martin makes these masterworks shine. (Two copies are required for performance.)