Handel: Water Music-very nice recording

candyliquor35m
candyliquor35m Posts: 2,267
edited May 2007 in 2 Channel Audio
Most classical albums I find are pretty much the same but this one stands out. Lively, baroque, original instruments. Digital recording so it should sound great on cd also. Don't take my word for it, read the reviews. Trevor Pinnock conducting.

http://www.amazon.com/Handel-Water-Music-George-Frideric/dp/B000001G4Q/ref=pd_rhf_f_1/102-8592610-1710526?ie=UTF8&qid=1178748358&sr=1-9
Post edited by candyliquor35m on
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  • fatchowmein
    fatchowmein Posts: 2,637
    edited May 2007
    Thx, I'll have to try it out. Just got the Royal Fireworks Music but I didn't care for it that much but I did like "The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba."

    http://www.amazon.com/Handel-Fireworks-Concerto-Alexanders-Overtures/dp/B0000057F6/ref=pd_sim_m_1/103-5528077-0120633?ie=UTF8&qid=1178748358&sr=1-9
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  • reeltrouble1
    reeltrouble1 Posts: 9,312
    edited May 2007
    The SACD in two channel is quite nice, well, actually its excellent.

    RT1
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  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 7,658
    edited May 2007
    Hello,
    Funny you should mention Handel's Water Music, I listen to CDs, in the car going to and from work, that are "everyman" explanations about classical composers and their music. First Gerard Schwartz tells you about the composer, his life and what influenced his music. Then he carefully explains a piece of the composer's music and gives music examples of what is happening throughout the piece. Then there's a second disc with the complete piece played. Well, this week was Handel and one of the pieces explained was The Water Music.
    There is one "school of thought" that has this piece of music as a way, for Handel, to get back into the good graces of English king, George I. Previously, George had been the Elector of Hanover, in Germany and Handel's boss, when Handel lived in Germany. Handel persuaded him to let him visit England, promising he would return after a short while. Well, he took a fancy to English life and decided to stay, permanently. Well, the English queen, Anne, died without an heir. Guess who became king of England? Yep, Handel's old boss George became George I, King of England. So, when George wanted something spectacular for the coronation ceremony, Handel thought this would be a good idea to score some points. The piece was so well received, by the king, that it was repeated three times as the barges went up and down the Thames.
    This is also the first time French horns were used in a major piece, before they where used for controlling hunting dogs and announcing carriages.
    Enjoy, Ken
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  • mrbigbluelight
    mrbigbluelight Posts: 9,724
    edited May 2007
    That was very interesting.

    I wonder why French horns hadn't been used before in a major piece; they're very beautiful/peaceful instruments to listen to.

    The stuff you learn here at CP.......:)
    Sal Palooza
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  • candyliquor35m
    candyliquor35m Posts: 2,267
    edited May 2007
    Kenneth Swauger wrote: »
    Hello,
    Funny you should mention Handel's Water Music, I listen to CDs, in the car going to and from work, that are "everyman" explanations about classical composers and their music. First Gerard Schwartz tells you about the composer, his life and what influenced his music. Then he carefully explains a piece of the composer's music and gives music examples of what is happening throughout the piece. Then there's a second disc with the complete piece played. Well, this week was Handel and one of the pieces explained was The Water Music.
    There is one "school of thought" that has this piece of music as a way, for Handel, to get back into the good graces of English king, George I. Previously, George had been the Elector of Hanover, in Germany and Handel's boss, when Handel lived in Germany. Handel persuaded him to let him visit England, promising he would return after a short while. Well, he took a fancy to English life and decided to stay, permanently. Well, the English queen, Anne, died without an heir. Guess who became king of England? Yep, Handel's old boss George became George I, King of England. So, when George wanted something spectacular for the coronation ceremony, Handel thought this would be a good idea to score some points. The piece was so well received, by the king, that it was repeated three times as the barges went up and down the Thames.
    This is also the first time French horns were used in a major piece, before they where used for controlling hunting dogs and announcing carriages.
    Enjoy, Ken

    Ken, that's quite a coincidence. I can't wait to find some time and listen to the album again. Your story kind of fits the album. Handel was doing everything in his power to please and impress King George I and it sounds like he did.
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,554
    edited May 2007
    reeltrouble1 wrote: »
    The SACD in two channel is quite nice, well, actually its excellent.

    RT1

    Agreed and thanks Ken for the history lesson.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • engtaz
    engtaz Posts: 7,663
    edited May 2007
    Thanks for the info.
    engtaz

    I love how music can brighten up a bad day.
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  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 7,658
    edited May 2007
    Hello,
    You're welcome, glad it was helpful. Handel seems to have been a pretty interesting person. He once threatened to throw a female singer out a second storey window if she didn't start singing correctly. Another singer threatened to stomp on his harpsichord and smash it to pieces. Handel answered that he wanted to know when this would happen, since he was sure more people would buy a concert ticket to watch him break a harpsichord than hear him sing.
    Ken
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,554
    edited May 2007
    Sounds like my kinda guy, no BS.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 7,658
    edited May 2007
    Hello F1,
    Yep, I know what you mean. Evidently he enjoyed the good life; liked good food and a nice tall stein of beer. When he was younger he asked a girl to marry him. Her mother refused the offer, said she didn't want her daughter marrying a "fiddler" (a term for musicians). Handel didn't push the issue since the mother was so much against him. Years later, after the mother had died, the girl's father approached him and said that the "obstacles are removed" and the marriage could now take place. Handel replied that things were "cooler" with his feelings towards the young lady and he was no longer interested.
    Oh well, some things haven't changed too much.
    Ken
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  • schwarcw
    schwarcw Posts: 7,335
    edited May 2007
    I like storytime with Ken!:D I'm going to get a hot cocoa and a blanket, then turn on some Handel.

    All kidding aside, great stuff and interesting.
    Carl

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  • schwarcw
    schwarcw Posts: 7,335
    edited May 2007
    reeltrouble1 wrote: »
    The SACD in two channel is quite nice, well, actually its excellent.

    RT1

    RT, which Conductor and Orchestra is SACD?
    Carl

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  • reeltrouble1
    reeltrouble1 Posts: 9,312
    edited May 2007
    Carl,

    Released by Sony classical.

    A little group called the New York Philharmonic

    Pierre Boulez

    Originally recorded in April of 1974 through December.

    It includes the Water Music and the Royal Fireworks Music

    Sony Disc #ss 89120, not sure if it is still in print, the one I have is the old style cardboard cover. SACD single layer stereo.

    I think I got it here quite some time ago, if not it was the Gon.

    The suites are all in major keys, F,D and G if your into that sort of thing.

    RT1
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  • John K.
    John K. Posts: 822
    edited May 2007
    Carl, if you're interested in the Water Music on SACD I think that you'd enjoy this one now on sale with free shipping for first-time customers. Excellent sound and vigorous performances of excerps from suites 1 and 2 plus the original lavish wind scoring for the Royal Fireworks make this a bit different.

    If you'd be in the mood to splurge a bit, the superb Mobile Fidelity SACD of a gorgeous Ravel collection should be considered.
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  • schwarcw
    schwarcw Posts: 7,335
    edited May 2007
    John,

    Thanks for the info!:) That Ravel Collection looks fabulous!

    Carl
    Carl

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  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 7,658
    edited May 2007
    Hello John,
    Thanks for the recommendations! Are you connected with Elusive Disc?
    Regards, Ken
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  • John K.
    John K. Posts: 822
    edited May 2007
    Hi, Ken. No, I ran into Elusive when searching for the best buy on the Handel SACD. Glancing at some of their offerings I noted that they also have for sale nonsense such as the "Burn-in and Demag CD" advertised by the Handel disc, so as always, buyer beware.
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,554
    edited May 2007
    Ken,

    K is the resident Anti Audio Hifi Insurgent. He purports that your average AVR, Sony mega changer, Stack-O-Matic record player and Axiom speakers are all that's needed for excellent music reproduction. He also believes that cables priced above $50.00 or so are a complete waste of money.

    He generally responds to naive first time or very new members in an effort to sound like he knows what he's talking about because anyone else with the slightest inkling to the finer points of audio knows better.

    What's really interesting here and more so, hilarious to more than myself is that he seems to acknowledge SACD's superior sound, yet consistently poo poo's obviously superior gear. Go figure!

    Jesse

    Help stomp out BS in your lifetime, don't be an Anti Audio Hifi Insurgent.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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