There are so many ways to take in this unique and magnificent work. The listener, with no preconceptions or prior knowledge, can simply let the music's ebb and flow direct the attention. This is special performance of this music. Performing on period instruments, Massachusetts-based Aston Magna is one of the finest Baroque music ensembles based in the U.S. The mission of the Aston Magna Foundation is to enrich the appreciation of music of the past and the understanding of the cultural, political, and social contexts in which it was composed and experienced. The goal is to reach a larger public through the use of historical instruments and practices in performances, recordings, and workshops, and through innovative interdisciplinary educational programs, publications, and electronic media.