One reason I do a lot of slower Baroque pieces is simply because I am not skilled enough (yet) to play some of the faster ones. However, I also tend to prefer Largos, Adagios and Larghettos over Vivaces and Prestos (most of which are performed far too fast, in my opinion, by modern orchestras). If you also prefer slower-paced, soothing music, then you might enjoy this playlist. Great for massage, meditation, bubble bath, etc. This playlist will quickly get longer.

Slow Baroque

A slow, stately Sarabande from the Third Suite of Handel's Water Music, performed on virtual instruments: alto recorder, Baroque bassoon, two first violins, two second violins, 2 violas, cello, viola da gamba, 2 basses, and Baroque lute (instead of harpsichord, as scored).

Handel: Water Music, Suite III, HWV 350 - 1. Sarabande (2013.08.03)

The poignant 'Agnus Dei' from Bach's Mass in B Minor, with the alto part performed here on virtual trumpet ("The Trumpet" from Samplemodeling). Other instruments include 4 violins (solo violin playing duet with trumpet + 3 other violins playing in unison during trumpet tacits), cello, contrabass, and Baroque organ.

Bach:  Mass In B Minor, BWV 232 - Agnus Dei - Trumpet (updated 2016.06.03)

First movement from Telemann's Sonata in A minor for Oboe and Continuo, TWV 41:A3  ("Der getreue Music-Meister"). Performed on three virtual instruments: Baroque oboe, Baroque bassoon (both from Wallander Instruments), and harpsichord (from SonicCouture).

Telemann: Oboe Sonata in A minor, TWV 41:A3 - 1. Siciliana (2013.08.16)

Slow movement from Handel's Water Music, Suite II performed by virtual orchestra: 2 trumpets, 2 horns, 2 Baroque oboes, Baroque bassoon, strings (including viola da gamba), and harpsichord. Brass instruments from Sample Modeling; reeds from Wallander Instruments.

Handel: HWV 349: Lentement (2013.08.16)

Second movement of J.S. Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No. 1, performed on virtual instruments (3 Baroque oboes, Baroque bassoon, strings, harpsichord), using a wind controller (Akai EWI USB). Double reeds by Wallander Instruments.

Bach: Brandenburg Concerto No. 1, BWV 1046 - 2. Adagio (2013.10.05)

The second movement of Bach's Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D Major — better known as "Air on the G String" — performed on virtual strings, harpsichord, and The Trumpet from Samplemodeling.

J.S. Bach: Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D Major, BWV 1068, 2. Air - trumpet(2013.11.17)

Third movement — Air à l'Italien — from Georg Philipp Telemann's Suite in A minor for Recorder & Strings. Performed by virtual ensemble of recorder, strings, and theorbo. The beautiful recorder is from Wallander Instruments. It is modelled, not sampled. Playing it on a wind controller (Akai EWI USB) is just like playing the real thing. Sloppy fingering can even cause squeaks just like on a real recorder. Amazing. (Those professional classical musicians I've talked to who don't know anything about virtual instruments really need to get their heads out of the sand, because the realism of these instruments is advancing rapidly. That's what I'm exploring here on SoundCloud.)

Telemann: Suite in A minor for Recorder & Strings, TWV 55:a2 - 3. Air à l'Italien (2013.12.01)

First movement of J.S. Bach's Sonata In E Minor, featuring flute (from Samplemodeling) and continuo: Baroque bassoon from Wallander Instruments, and Flemish harpsichord from the Conservatoire Collection (SonicCouture).

J.S. Bach: Flute Sonata in E Minor, BWV 1034 - 1. Adagio ma non tanto (2014.07.05)

Second movement (Largo) from Antonio Vivaldi's Concerto in G minor for flute, oboe, and bassoon (RV 103) performed on virtual instruments: alto recorder, Baroque oboe, Baroque bassoon, and Baroque guitar. Winds from Wallander Instruments; guitar from "Conservatoire Collection" by SonicCouture.

Vivaldi: Concerto in G Minor, RV 103 - 2. Largo (2014.07.30)

Adagio from Albinoni's Concerto in F for 2 Oboes, Op. 9/3, performed on virtual instruments: 2 oboes(Wallander Instruments), strings (Garritan, EWI edition), and positive organ (Sonokinetic). All parts played on a wind controller (Akai EWI USB).

Albinoni: Concerto in F for 2 Oboes, Op.9, No.3 - 2. Adagio (2014.11.15)

Main theme from "Lamento sopra la morte de Ferdinando III" by Johann Heinrich Schmelzer (1620-1680). Performed on virtual instruments: flute (Samplemodeling), strings, and chamber organ using an Akai EWI USB wind controller.

Schmelzer: Lamento Sopra La Morte de Ferdinando III - (2015.04.25)

Second movement (adagio) of Albinoni's Oboe Concerto in D minor. Performed on virtual instruments (Baroque oboe, strings, harpsichord) using a wind controller (Akai EWI USB).

Albinoni: Oboe Concerto in D minor, Op.9, No.2 - 2. Adagio (2015.12.19)

Second movement (Largo) of Bach's famous Concert for 2 violins in D minor, performed on virtual strings (Aria/EWI by Garritan) with the Viola from Samplemodeling on the viola part. Continuo includes theorbo from the Conservatoire Collection by SonicCouture.

Bach: Concerto for 2 Violins in D Minor, BWV 1043 - 2. Largo ma non tanto (2015.11.30)

Another (slower) version of the first movement of Albinoni's Sonata in A minor, Op. 6, No. 6, featuring harp (Garritan) and flute (Samplemodeling). Originally scored for violin and continuo.

Albinoni: Sonata in A Minor for flute and harp, Op.6, No.6 - 1. Grave (2016.01.10)

Demo of the new "Pure Mandolin" from Bolder Sounds: http://www.boldersounds.net/mandolin-for-ni-kontakt-p-122.html. Played on an Akai EWI USB (wind controller).

Vivaldi: Concerto for Two Mandolins in G major, RV 532, 2. Andante

Antonio Vivaldi's lovely Largo movement from Concerto for flute, oboe, violin, bassoon and basso continuo in G minor (RV 107). Performed here on virtual instruments: recorder (instead of flute), Baroque oboe, Baroque guitar (instead of violin), Baroque bassoon, Flemish harpsichord. Alto recorder, Baroque oboe and bassoon from Wallander Instruments (http://www.wallanderinstruments.com/); Baroque guitar by Eduardo Tarilonte (http://www.samplelibraries.com/); Flemish harpsichord from the Conservatoire Collection by SonicCouture (http://www.soniccouture.com).
~~~~~~~~~~~
La ĉarma dua movado el «Konĉerto por fluto, hobojo, violono, fagoto kaj kontinua baso en g-minora» de Antonio Vivaldi. Interpretita per virtualaj instrumentoj: baroka bekfluto (anstataŭ fluto), baroka hobojo, baroka gitaro (anstataŭ violono), baroka fagoto, kaj flandra (baroka) klaviceno.

Vivaldi: Concerto for flute, oboe, violin, bassoon & BC in Gm, RV 107 - 2. Largo

Bach: BWV 972 - 2. Larghetto - 2013.06.02

Largo from Vivaldi's delightful Concerto for Mandolin in C major, performed on virtual instruments: featuring Bolder Sound's "Pure Mandolin", accompanied by pizzicato strings (Garritan and Dan Dean Solo Strings Advanced), Toccata organ (Sonokinetic), and theorbo (Bolder Sounds).

Vivaldi: Mandolin Concerto in C major, RV 425 - 2. Largo (2013.06.12)

Second movement of Number 11 of Vivaldi's infuential Opus 3 (L'estro armonico). Performed here on virtual instruments: Baroque oboe (Wallander Instruments), strings (Garritan and Dan Dean Solo Strings Advanced), and harpsichord (SonicCouture).

Vivaldi: Concerto in D minor, Op. 3/11, RV 565 - 2. Largo e spiccato (2013.06.15)

The second movement from "Winter" of Vivaldi's most famous work, "Four Seasons" (Le Quattro Stagione). Performed here on virtual Baroque oboe (instead of solo violin), accompanied by strings (including viola da gamba) and chamber organ.

Vivaldi: Concerto No. 4 in F minor, RV 297 - L'inverno: 2. Largo — Oboe version (2013.06.13)

Exploring the potential for using virtual instruments to create a realistic early music sound, with an emphasis on Baroque music. ¶ Esplorante la eblecon por uzi virtualajn instrumentojn por krei realisman fru-muzikan sonon, kun emfazo je baroka muziko.

Slow Baroque

Jason Castle