Customer Reviews

Handel: Water Music

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I haven't a clue what the Amazon editorial reviewer means. What I do know is that of the many recordings I have heard of this piece, this one is unquestionably my favorite. Trevor Pinnock is brilliant with music of this period; here, his Water Music is light and alive, yet stately and majestic too!

George Frideric Handel (1685 - 1759): Water Music (HWV 348 - 350). Performed by Simon Standage and Elizabeth Wilcock, solo violins, and the English Concert, directed from the harpsichord by Trevor Pinnock. Recorded at the Henry Wood Hall, London, England in 1983. Released in 1983 on LP, cassette and CD (Deutsche Grammophon Archiv 410 525-2). Total playing time ca. 54 minutes.

Anyone comparing different recordings of Handel's "Water Musick" will soon realize that there are obviously quite large differences between the versions played. The autograph of "Water Musick" is no longer extant, and the work was not published in complete form during Handel's lifetime. It appears that there may have been three or more different occasions between about 1715 and 1725 when Handel was asked to produce open-air music for royal entertainment during a boat-trip down the Thames. Handel probably wrote a number of individual pieces for these occasions which were only later combined into suites. Trevor Pinnock has opted here for the more traditional variant of two suites, one in F major and one a mix of D major and G major, the pieces being more or less in the order as published by Chrysander in the 19th century. Most newer recordings from the historically-informed school prefer to divide the whole into three clearly defined suites, although they are not always agreed on the order of the individual pieces.

Deutsche Grammophon's engineering is, as usual, absolutely top class, giving the listener the opportunity to hear all the detail, each instrument being very clearly defined. That, however, is only an advantage where the playing is really inspired, and I'm afraid that, particularly in the opening F major suite, this is not always the case. Everything is technically perfect, yes, of course, but somehow the music seems not to have inspired the musicians, at least not all of them, to put life and soul into it. Handel's music is always beautiful, and I don't deny that Pinnock's recording is, in many respects, one of the best. But for the first time since the English Concert joined DG, they produced here a disc which didn't make me want to listen again and again.

Is it just that familiarity breeds contempt? Not so if one listens in to what some of the HIPP competition have been producing. Of the older period-instrument groups, it is the Academy of Ancient Music under Christopher Hogwood whose version I prefer (Handel: The Water Music), but things begin to get really interesting with the newer generation. In San Francisco, of all places, an absolutely superb recording was produced in 1988/89 for Harmonia Mundi by the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra under Nicholas McGegan (Handel: Water Music). In a direct comparison with the Pinnock version, it is really striking how much more interpretative power the McGegan recording evolves. And the HM engineering is every bit as good as the DG, so that as the McGegan Californian effort is now available at budget price, there is really no choice.

For those who know the "Water Musick" really well and perhaps already have the McGegan interpretation, there is another European recording that is worth investigating. Made in 1995 by the Belgian orchestra Il Fondamento, led by oboist Paul Dombrecht, for the tiny Passacaille label, this is a CD which can take your breath away. The woodwinds, in particular (hardly surprising, perhaps, seeing Dombrecht is an oboist), can almost knock you over. The tempi are fast, but not over-hurried, and there is a wealth of good ideas here which, occasionally at least, even make the McGegan interpretation sound old-fashioned. If you are really into the "Water Musicke", you won't regret listening to this.

As for the Pinnock/English Concert version, it remains a document of the slightly more staid English approach and of Deutsche Grammophon's excellent recording technique, and in 1983 it may have been revelatory. But in the first decade of the 21st century, it lacks the interpretatory lustre needed to assert itself amongst such strong competition.

With The English Concert at the ready, Pinnock's Handel is continuously stimulating, and hardly less than persuasive. Regal, ebullient and melancholy, in turns, his performance elucidates as well as entertains. Doubtless, much thought went into Pinnock's innumerable fascinating directorial decisions and musical interrelationships. Quite impressive in particular is his attention to baroque authenticity and detail, with riveting emphasis on the clarity and positioning of period instruments. The striking use of antiphonal brass, the affectionate counterpoint between woodwinds and strings, and the ongoing concertante intimacy is thoroughly beguiling. Remarkable also is the truly exceptional sound world given Pinnock's captivating interpretation and, of course, the superlatively inspired playing of The English Concert.

[Running time: 54:15]

Despite its age, this remains to my mind the best performance in existence. The CD conversion is so good that I can only tell the difference between the vinyl version (which I also have) and the CD version by the clicks and pops on the black disc - and before any vinyl-head argues, the turntable is a Linn Sondek with the top Ekos arm!

I HAVE LISTENED MANY VERSIONS ON ORIGINALS AND MODERN INSTRUMENTS AND I MYSELF HAVE LIKE 7 VERSIONS OF WATER MUSIC BUT PINNOCK S READING OF THE WORK IS REALLY A DREAM BOTH RECORDING AND INTERPRETATION

Mr Pinnock has provided us with the definitive Water Music using authentic period instrmentation and tempos. Disconcerting to people used to the more familiar larger orchestral versions but this is probably more along the lines of what the composer actually had in mind for the music.

For a different presentation of this classic work, try this performance by the English Concert. Performed on instruments of the period and with an orchestra setting more appropriate of the Baroque period, this recording will not fail to please. The recording is fully digital, adding to its splendor. If you are accoustomed to more modern orchestras and instruments, the recording may be odd at first, but rest assured that the beauty of its sound will slowly seduce your senses.

I don't know what Ted Libbey (the Amazon reviewer) is talking about in his editorial review! If you want only one recording of the Water Music make this the one! This recording makes others seem lifeless and dull! The period instruments and their mastery by Pinnock and the English Concert make this the choice recording for discerning Baroque fans. Uplifting and lively, you will find yourself listening to this CD over and over again. As a side note, I do believe this is the recording used for the intro music to the "Frugal Gourmet" (on PBS television).

In Eighteenth-century London there was a constant and even increasing demand for the provision of music in order to be performed in the open air. And in this sense the arrival of a score denominated as Water music literally engaged his Majesty since the first time it was performed, with such fervor and splendid enthusiasm that he caused to be played three times at all; twice before and once after the supper.

For such reason this musical page acquired instantaneously a cult fame around the reduced musical world in 1717.

Water music has been to Handel - together with his Messiah and in minor grade Music for the Royal fireworks - his main presentation card for all kind of listeners. This lovable work possesses a singular scent of distinguished conceptual aristocracy that even may be felt for the great audiences by then, and even now is motive of perpetual enjoyment and delight. It brings us close to that age with its mesmerizing charm and involving lyricism.

Around this work there have been historical performances but to my mind just a few have achieved such incandescence level and pristine eloquence like this one where are blended

at the same time noblesse, distinction and expression without falling into theatrical poses or overindulgent rapture.

There are two others versions worthy to mention: the refined version of Karl Munchinger conducting the Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra and the renowned performance of Yehudi Menuhin at front of Bath's Festival ` Orchestra.

George Frideric Handel

Trevor Pinnock

The English Concert (on authentic instruments)

Water Music

(Archiv - digital recording - 1983)

This is an excellent version of Water Music. Those who want something `more exciting' are asking for more than Handel wrote. This performance is done correctly and wonderfully. Five Stars.