Customer Reviews

Handel: Water Music; Music for the Royal Fireworks [SACD]

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

 

 

This is the second of two reissues of recordings by Pierre Boulez and the New York Philharmonic on Sony Classical's current crop of SACD reissues. It presents this new audiophile medium in an excellent light. Based on superb late analogue recordings from Columbia Masterworks, they sound newly minted in these DSD transfers onto SACD. There is excellent frequency reponse and dynamic range, and virtually no tape hiss. As in other Columbia recordings of this era, there is a very clearly articulated stereo image, which is vividly reinforced in the transfer. It is hard to believe that these recordings are more than a quarter century old. It is nice to see them again, especially with the complete "Water Music": the old "Great Performers" LP and French Sony Classical CD in my collection provide only a selection from the three suites. Here you have the complete "Water Music" and "Fireworks" music.

As for the performances, these (as indeed others in the series) are gems from the catalogue. Boulez, the icy and intellectual modernist, is ideally suited to bringing out the brilliance, elegance, and splendid High Baroque polish of these public, celebratory works. He draws playing of an unbelievable refinement from his New York players, making them sound like (say) the Berlin Philharmonic on its best form.

The "Water Music" is one of the best ever recorded, on a par with any of the more recent "authentic" contenders, as is it the "Fireworks" music. In the latter, Boulez eschews the augmented brass and percussion favoured in many recordings, and prefers a more pared down set of orchestral forces, including a harpischord, which is clearly audible tinkling away right from the first bars. This is a nicely "inauthentic" authenticist touch, since surely no one present at the original open air performance could possibly have heard the harpsichord's tiny embellishments even if one were present!

To sum up, this disc is recommended without reservation, both for its musical merits and as an exemplar of the new SACD format.

I'll say it: this is one of the finest recordings I've ever had the huge pleasure of owning. Great piece, superbly conceived by Boulez, and magnificently played by John Cerminaro, horn, and the entire ensemble.

Ok, I'm a former player, so I know. What Cerminaro does here is absolutely miraculous: his trills are so clear and perfect, it's as if he's playing the clarinet and hitting keys instead of making his lip behave with such precision.

But of course it's much more than technical artistry. Tempi, phrasing, dynamic range--all lead to sheer musical joy and carry the listener on a journey that never fails to exhilarate. If you're ever in the dumps, this recording will reaffirm your faith in man's goodness.

Boulez and Handel, who would of thunk? These performances combine the big band, lush acoustic of the New York Philharmonic with playing of incredible nimbleness and virtuosity. Maestro Boulez allows his players to ornament freely and the results are astonishing. Look elsewhere if you like your Handel on original instruments or "lean and mean." However, if you love joyful and spontaneous music making with a broad emotional range and gorgeous sound, well this one's for you.

Having recently acquired a SACD player, I decided I needed a SACD Water Music, as it is one of my favorite all-time works. I was intrigued by the idea of a 70's era version conducted by Boulez, so I listened to some samples of the CD version. Upon listening to the entire recording, I certainly find it interesting. Most of the tempos are a bit slower than what I usually listen to, but the performance is certainly "correct" in that it uses the smaller forces that would have originally performed the work (though mercifully, this recording, being from the 70's is not on original instruments).

My only complaint is with the SACD part of the equation. IMO, this recording does not sound a lot different than a redbook 2-channel CD. I must have assumed it would be at least 3-channel, and would have the sound of the RCA Living Stereo or the Mercury Living Presence SACDs. But to me, it sounds like a standard CD. The sound is certainly clear, to be sure, but it seems to me that one could save a few $ and get the 2-channel CD version and enjoy it just as much. If I were in charge at CBS/Sony, I do not think I would have chosen this title for the SACD treatment. Nevertheless, it is an enjoyable recording.

Good CD I like the inclusion of all WaterMusic. Pierre Boulez has his own interpretation of Handel's works-- as it should be, I imagine. This was all I expected and more.

Handel: Water Music, The Music for the Royal Fireworks, The Alchymist, Three concerti a due cori, Two arias for wind band
This morning when I tried to play this CD it would not work in my Bose Stereo. I don't think I have the packing slip and I would like a replacement of the same music.

I am not an expert in sound reproduction or classical music, in fact, I am an expert in nothing. I thoroughly enjoy all of Handel's music and will probably have to replace this down the road when my copy is not returned.

I just received my copy of "Water Music ... ", haven't played it yet . I am disappointed. I've got "Bach's 4 Toccatas... and Boulez conducta Bartok " which are 'Multichannel';I've got a number of copies of "Water Music and Royal Fireworks" on Analogue SQ Quad LP and on 2.0 stereo CD.Because it was grouped with "Bach & Bartok" (which I also have on SQ Quad LP),I thought the "enhanced" moniker meant that it was also in 'multichannel'format.So now I have ' another ' two channel copy ,which I realize that I can play through my Dolby Surround rceiver, but it's not the same as Discrete channels.

Edd Kerr , iegolden@shaw.ca

This SACD has good sound. Each note and melody are very pleasant. Make sure you have nice components to play it.