Handel: Water Music

The Water Music is justifiably among the most popular of Baroque orchestral works, for its many excellent tunes, lively dances and good humour: perfectly suited to its original, Royal commission - al fresco entertainment to accompany King George I on a barge journey down the river Thames in March 1717. Handel had moved permanently to the UK in 1712, and he and King George had been acquainted since the young composer had been appointed Kapellmeister to the King's court in Hanover at the fairly prodigious age of 25. He was, by now, thoroughly assimilated (despite his indifferent command of the English language) and exactly attuned to the needs of a commission and a particular audience: in this case, memorable melodies, deft and varied instrumentation and an outgoing character, tempered occasionally by a stately dance with a touch of wistfulness.

These performances have been out of the catalogue for several years, and make a welcome return. The Consort of London was a small and expert chamber ensemble, playing Baroque music on modern instruments.

OTHER INFORMATION:
- 'The tempos seem fitting and comfortable... the playing of both strings and wind is crisp, spirited and, where called for, full-toned but not overly so-the strings keep plumminess at arm's length; the harpsichord is reduced to a distant tinkle, as it probably was on that summer night in 1717. In terms of style it is admirable, with sharply pointed dotted rhythms, occasional inegales, and some graceful embellishment of the oboe soloist's line in the Adagio e staccato of the Suite in F. In all respects this is the best middle-ofthe- road recording of this music to date'. Gramophone