Handel: Water Music, The Music for the Royal Fireworks, The Alchymist, Three concerti a due cori, Two arias for wind band

This is a fine Handel compilation that provides a nice overview of his orchestral music with brass instruments, as well as his only incidental score (music written to accompany the action of a play). Christopher Hogwood uses the arrangement that Handel made of the Fireworks Music for normal-sized forces, including strings, which were absent from the original. All the music is played with a fine sense of style, and a goodly bit of the "pomp and circumstance" that Handel above all others knew how to capture in music. At two discs for the price of one, this is an extremely good deal. --David Hurwitz Amazon.com

The best interpretation of Music for the Royal Fireworks

I listened to many versions of Music for the Royal Fireworks and this is by far the best one among all... You should listen the samples that are available in amazon.. My favourite is "Music for the Royal Fireworks: Suite HWV 351 - 5. Menuet I-II" Very well played, the voices of all instruments are clear, one can distinguish anyone of them easily. The tempo of the music is at the optimum speed. If Handel had seen this version of his piece he would have proud of it... February 1, 2008

Water Music is so soothing...

I love this album. Too often when I've tried classical albums the music has not been soothing, but this is very relaxing. If you are looking for great music to relax by or listen to in the car, this is it. January 10, 2007

A Noble Performance

I have listened to numerous renditions by different performing artists, for several years, of both Water Music and Music for the Royal Fireworks. The first time I listened to this CD played by the Academy of Ancient Music I felt I was listening to a high class performance. There is something about the clear sound of the instruments and the tempo and dedication to detail that this group of artists put into its performance that it really inspires me into the wonderful world of the baroque classical music and somehow it transports me to the time when Handel himself was composing and directing these beautiful masterpieces. And the bonus is also the beautifully played Duo A Cori concertos. I recommend it! March 11, 2006

Towards the higher end of the pack

Reading the liner notes, I am reminded that the occasion for which the water music originally was composed was royal river outing that started in the evening and lasted until 4:00 AM (Take THAT you modern clubhoppers!). The music was played three times through the course of this trip. I doubt there were many teetotallers. Soo...royal oarsmen, wine goblets overflowing with the best claret, tipsy nobleman and...hey! don't hit that river barge! Watch where you're goin' mate!

As such, I'd expect a little roughness in performances (especially for the 3:30 AM gig). Ill-tuned horns and all, I think Hogwood delivers about as faithful a rendition as is currently available. There are certainly more "refined" versions of the water music. I think these better resemble the follow-on peformances for the genteel, perfumed ladies seeking money for the foundling hospital. That's the beauty of Orpheus and Pinnock versions.

Hogwood gets 4 stars for getting close to the river ride. I will admit that my view has been biased by the fabulous 1976 rendition by Jean-Claude Malgoire which hasn't been bettered in this respect. No English band can shake a stick next to drunken French horn players. But Hogwood is a good near-term substitute until Sony wakes up and dips further into their vaults.
Additionally, the Fireworks music is fabulous; the due cori very nice, with similar touches of earthiness. All in all a good outing, and for decent prices. March 11, 2004

Recommendable.

I have recently returned to these two CDs (which I bought and listened to for a while some three years ago) and found that they were not quite as bad as I remembered. The tempi are very well sprung, the spirits are high and the "Water Music" in particular is played with some delicacy and finesse (which I hardly take for granted from Hogwood's early recordings). The roughness of the result is mainly due the scratchy tone of the strings and inaccurate tuning of the horns.
If you are a period-instrument enthusiast this Double-Decca, because of its low "duo" price, could have some edge against such strong competitors (which I haven't listened to) as Pinnock, Gardiner and Savall. And at the same "duo" price you can get also Hogwood's wonderful performances (with the Handel&Haydn Society) of Handel's Concerti Grossi Op.6. However, if you care more for variety of dynamics and lightness of touch than for period-instrument sound, I recommend you instead to get all the twelve op.6 Concerti AND the "Water Music" AND the "Musick for the Royal Fireworks" (but not the "Alchymist" suite, the "Concerti a due cori" and the two "Arias for Wind Band") at "trio" price in superlative, "historically-correct" and mellower sounding performances by the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra. February 18, 2004

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