Handel: Water Music; Music for the Royal Fireworks
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Music Reviews of Handel: Water Music; Music for the Royal Fireworks
Music Review: Fresh and beautiful readings
Rating: 5 Stars
For years I've had the CD of these Handel compositions, recorded by the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra. That CD won a rosette from the Penguin Guide to Classical Music, but I couldn't stand listening to it anymore. The Orpheus Chamber Orchestra performance of these compositions was almost too-perfect and I found it seemed boring and too-structured.
Enter this recording, which I learned of when looking at things over at the Arkiv Music website. This recording on the Naxos label was a minimal investment (Naxos is a super resource for great music at low cost). What a delight to find such a high quality recording, played in a fresh and beautiful way. No, it is not note-perfect as the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra plays it. But, it is lovely and refreshing to hear, a delightful experience that has life rather than mechanical reproduction of notes. An excellent investment!
Music Review: best version ever ?
Rating: 5 Stars
I ordered this CD before its release after hearing part of it on the car radio, and was so delighted with it that I told anyone who might listen. So it was a bit of a relief to read reviews such as the one above by Robert Levine. It is great to hear this fine music played with such joy and innovation, they dance through the dance movements, and sometimes add drum and tambourine. If you can hear this Fireworks Music, what a grand joyfull noise they make, without beating on your imaginary timpani and side drum, then there is a chance you might be dead.
This is an excellent recording of excellent music at a super-bargain price, very highly recommended. Look out for other period instrument recordings by Mallon and the Aradia Ensemble.
Music Review: Simply Splendid
Rating: 5 Stars
And splendorous in every way.
Mallon and the Arcadia Ensemble perfectly capture the true magic
of Handel's gift: music that is glorious, majestic, yet always
inspired by the most marvelous sense of an uncommonly common touch.
In a word: entertainment.
The performance of every suite is graced with much care, nuance and balance.
Yet, overall and most importantly, their wonderful vitality has been preserved
and, dare I say it? enhanced.
Here is wonderfully celebratory music, performed with loving attention to every
aspect of it's playful and inspirational soul, dancing with delight.
Music Review: Also Available as SACD
Rating: 5 Stars
This excellent recording is also available as an SACD [Handel: Water Music; Music for the Royal Fireworks [Hybrid SACD] for only slightly more money. Irrespective of format or price, it's a top choice for these much loved works. Through clear textures and relatively rapid tempos, conductor Kevin Mallon restores the joy and excitement to these very familiar pieces. Classics Today rates the disc 10/10 for both artistry and sound, and you will enthusiastically agree.Music Review: Could be much better
Rating: 2 Stars
The orchestra conductor has taken too much liberty with the score. It has run amok. Certain passages are played way too fast.