Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I'm torn as to whether I prefer the Tafelmusik recording or this one. Both are beautiful, but each approaches the music in a different way. This recording is perhaps the more traditional of the two, with a slower tempo. The brass is particularly spectacular in this recording, giving a richness and depth to the slower passages. The French horns are incredible. Hogwood is also an acknowledged master of Handel, making this version a core piece in any collection.

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.

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!

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...

A Great Master's Mastery, Masterly Mastered by a Master!!
Translation?? In any speak, this is classic Handel, played at it's best, by the one who should know!!!

Hogwood's genius as a foremost expert on my personal favourite composer, can never be overestimated, and here, presented in a medium of works we all know and can relate to, are a showcase of his awesome skills and brand of 'Mastery'!!

One feels obliged to pay homage to composer and conductor alike, for without either, we could not see the creation of this CD, in what is a pinnacle of art and high standard in performance.

Accordingly, Bravo Mr. Handel, and many many congratulations to Mr Hogwood and all the performers.

This CD is a powerful, electrifying performance of some of the greatest works ever written. This is a great interpretation of what Handel wanted. A worthwhile buy because it never gets old. This is the one to get. It simply is great. Amen.

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.

I got this because it reminded me of my trip to Paris. I remember hearing the Alchemyst while wandering around the gardens of Versailles. I'm not familiar with other recordings of Handel's Water Music, so I'm not sure how this recording compares to them. However, I do think this is a decent performance, and you get lots of songs for ~$10. A problem I have with some recordings is that they are too quiet, and I have to crank up the volume on my mp3 player. Then it'll go to the next song from a different album that was recorded at normal volume and my ears will hurt if I don't adjust the volume in time. I liked that I did not have that problem with this recording.

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.

Sorry everyone. This is not the consumate Water Music for me. The tempo throughout is usually much too fast and robs the music of its delicate emotion. Rapid, excessive trills and the overwhelming brilliance of each and every note do not create a pleasant performance. Water Music can be serene and reflecting too. From the very beginning the mood here is almost arrogant. Maybe a listener who values techinical perfection more than emotional sincerity will get more out of this recording than I did.