Water Music, Music for the Royal Fireworks Naxos 6.110115

• Composer: George Frideric Handel
• Conductor: Kevin Mallon
• Ensemble: Aradia Ensemble

The Water Music and the Music for the Royal Fireworks mark two chronological extremes of Handel’s career in London. The first was written in his earlier years in England, presumably by 1717, to entertain a royal party sailing up the Thames, while the second was commissioned to celebrate the Peace of Aix-la-Chapelle in 1749. Both occasions called for outdoor music, a form in which Handel was to demonstrate particular skill during the years that he provided music for the gardens at Vauxhall. Popular legend has it that he had offended the Elector of Hanover by his prolonged absence without leave in London and that a reconciliation was brought about through the Water Music, composed to accompany the new King’s journey by barge from Whitehall to Chelsea, to entertain the court during supper and to escort the royal party back again down the Thames. The story, given early currency, is now generally discounted, since no overt reconciliation with King George seems to have been necessary. It is clear, however, from a number of contemporary accounts, that Baron Kielmansegge, whose wife, known as The Elephant, was the King’s half-sister, paid for a band of fifty musicians to play music newly commissioned from Handel to entertain the King during an evening party on the Thames on 17th July, 1717. Precisely how much of the music performed was by Handel and how much of it is now preserved in the three suites known as the Water Music is not clear. It is reasonable to suppose that the collection represents much of the music played in 1717, although the order of performance is unknown. Of the three suites arranged by later editors the first has been described as a horn suite, because of the prominence of those instruments, while the second is distinguished by its use of the trumpets, with the third generally suggesting the indoor music to accompany the royal supper.

The Royal Fireworks Music had already succeeded admirably at Vauxhall. Handel was to add string parts to the original score, which had, by royal command, been limited to a massive band of wind instruments, and to present the work as part of a charity programme given towards the end of May in aid of Thomas Coram’s Foundling Hospital, which was to benefit even more considerably from the oratorio Messiah. The five sections of the work open with an overture in the usual French style, followed by a Bourrée and two pieces suggesting the Peace and the consequent Rejoicing. The suite ends with two minuets.

Water Music, Music for the Royal Fireworks Review

Some may ask if we need yet another version of these potboilers to add to the already extensive list available, some from much bigger names than these. But Kevin Mallon and the Canadian Aradia Ensemble are absolutely at the top of their game, and these performances have something to say that many older versions don’t. The music, like much of Handel’s output, is superb. Finally, it is on a budget label, yet has superb high-resolution sound. Some of the tempi are quite fast, especially in the Water Music, but throughout there is real attention to the dance-like character of the music. Fabulous! AG – Hi-Fi Choice