Search - George Frederick Handel, Boston Baroque :: Handel: Music for the Royal Fireworks; Water Music

An absolute pleasure

P. SIMPSON | North Yorkshire, United Kingdom | 08/03/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"First, the performance. Using authentic instruments, Boston baroque conjure up a radically different world of sound to the frequently plodding, homogenised recordings of the pre-period days. This is Handel full of variety and incident. Faster tempi really dance and the slower movements are more intimate than on many performances, with some especially lovely oboe and upper-string duets, which have a chamber feel about them even in the midst of all that outdoorsy grandeur. For those not familiar with period instruments, the sound of the serpent may be unusual at first and yes, the brass instruments are quite limited at times, but that simply changes the nature of the sound, - it doesn't limit the interpretations.Also, for those familiar only with brass and wind recordings of "Fireworks", this version is accompanied by the strings which Handel wanted but the George II didn't. Handel subsequently played the peice with strings as well as without. They change the tone of the music without affecting its nobility, -in fact they enhance it though adding subtlety to the sound of the period brass and wind.Boston Baroque clearly revel in both the music itself and their virtuosity, whilst outstanding, is at its service. Excellent shaping of the sound by Pearlman.

The sound throughout is marvellous. It captures both the chamber-like intimacy of some passages as well as the blazing nobility of others. The soundstage is wide without being artificial, stereo separation is excellent without being of the "hey, look at me variety" and instruments are clearly heard without being spotlit or too closely miked. For my money and to my ears, this is one of the most natural (and yet still audio-technophile) recordings Telarc have produced. Its also one of the most enjoyable and fresh disc of any kind I've heard for a while. More of the same please !!!!"

Handel's music as he himself would most likely have heard it

Dr. Christopher Coleman | HONG KONG | 06/07/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Boston Baroque is arguably the finest American early music ensemble. Founding director Martin Pearlman insures that performances are the most historically informed possible, consulting original manuscripts and the earliest possible sources to create his own performing editions. The players perform on "period instruments" either copies or originals from the 1700s. The use of these instruments comes at a price. The difficulties that necessitated later improvement or even abandonment are unavoidable here. The serpent, a leather covered double- 'S' shaped wooden instrument, was eventually replaced by the more acoustically efficient tuba with a steadier pitch. Horns and trumpets have since added valves, making performance easier and giving access to more notes. Listeners unfamiliar with period instruments are likely to giggle aloud at the sound of natural horns trilling in parts of Water Music; the sound is reminiscent of a turkey gargling.Aside from these limitations, Boston Baroque does a superb job recreating Handel's music. Music for the Royal Fireworks is performed in Handel's preferred orchestration with strings and triple winds, not the monstrously huge forces (by some counts 150 wind players at the premiere) on which King George II insisted. The sound is robust, with a gorgeous bass--although it is impossible to isolate the serpent's sound in the ensemble, it definitely adds to the effect. Tempi are lively and the ensemble work brilliant. Water Music is restored to its original version rather than the truncated suite mostly performed today. This CD is Handel's music as he himself would most likely have heard it. Hallelujah!"