Search - Handel, King's Consort :: Water Music/Music for the Royal Fireworks

A must have

Robert T. Martin | 11/28/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a repackaging of Handel's Water Music and Music for the Royal Fireworks that shared other discmates on the Hyperion label. The Fireworks was recorded in 1989 and the Water Music in 1997. The Fireworks is performed in the original wind band version using period instruments and employs 24 oboes, 12 bassoons, 9 horns and 9 trumpets with spectacular sonic results. The real prize though is possibly one of the best period instrument Water Music's ever recorded. The performance is distinguished by a rounded string tone and thoughtful phrasing which at the same time doesn't sacrifice the piquancy of the strings or the guttural sound of the natural horns. For once we have a period instrument performance that actually sounds as though it's been interpreted and played with real feeling as opposed to a clinical musical exercise. I tend to shy away from many PI recordings but have come to embrace this one. I'm grateful to the fine Amazon reviewer who initially pointed me in the direction of this beauty."