I’ve already listened to it; you can find it on Spotify if you don’t have the album. Yes, it has sublime parts, but in my opinion, I think there are better versions. I don’t know, let your ears judge for themselves. The important thing is to enjoy the music.
I perfectly understand people liking/disliking things, I`m one of them, only challenging myself, if I hear potential in a piece. What is somewhat baffling though, many say they like the Royal Fireworks, but not Water. I confess I could hardly name the jolly/beautifully wistful melodies, just keep them coming, Händel.
Very true. The interpretation is light and vivid, and the sound of all the instruments can be heard clearly and distinctly. I never heard the so famous "Alla Hornpipe" like that before !
I really think very, very highly of Gibson. You mentioned his Sibelius, which is outstanding. He's also done spectacular Elgar, Nielsen, & Walton, & very fine Stravinsky & Berlioz. He did an excellent Planets, still the best one that Chandos ever issued. There's a great disc of Scottish Overtures, which has the most smokin' version of Arnold's Tam o'Shanter. Everything he did is worth at least exploring. And that vintage early 80s Chandos engineering!
One of the first two CDs I ever purchased was Pinnock's Handel Water Music. My first recording of this work ever. I'd never given Water Music any attention prior to this. And yes, I imprinted. But I still think it's the best I've heard...invigorating, colorful, energetic, and very lyrical when needed. So....as a Gibson fan, I should hear this! My first encounter with Gibson was his guest conducting appearance with the Houston Sym, where he led my very first encounter with the Dvorak 8th. I've been a fan of both, conductor and symphony, ever since. (Unfortunately, when the Houston Sym recorded the Dvorak a few years later, it was under the baton of Comissiona. I was disappointed.)
I like that Pinnock. IIRC it was the version Richard Freed recommended and I bought it based his recommendation. Not a big fan of original instruments but this one works for me.
Same here, I needed a way in after hearing a handful recordings, but to me it was Van Beinum and the Concertgebouw. Maybe for the same reason, the playing of the orchestra?
Well it was meant for a state occasion on the water so that's why it's in random bits - bit like a parade on land! I always thought it was Handel's peace offering to king George to make up for having left George's court in Hanover without permission but fairly recently I discovered that the whole thing was planned and organized by the king in order to improve his image among the English.
I gotta say I really like that Gibson one, even though the Menuhin version is my favorite - even though the order is unusual and the playing is also unusual. I just enjoy it 😊 now that i think of it, Menuhin rarely shows up on your channel. I'd be super interested to hear your thoughts when an opportunity arises !
Here's a thought (maybe worth a video discussion), but you talk about music that took you much time to appreciate...like the water music. How about music that we loved/hit us right for years, but now could care less. I guess that would be, "growing out of love" with some music. Not recordings, but the actual music we have fallen out of love with. For me it would be Bruckner. For years I could sing parts from symphonies 4 thru 9 & sit down and listen to a symphony complete, but now nothing 😢 Keep on listening!!!!
There's a recording of this led by Gerard Schwartz, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, that is unlike any other I've heard. The players add ornamentation - lots of it - and it's thrilling to hear. Modern instruments played by gifted virtuosi. Not for everyone, but taste and restraint be damned.
Unless I am mistaken, It looks like Briliant Classics had a 2-CD release of Gibson/Scottish Chamber Orchestra, that includes not only the Water Music, but Royal Fireworks, an oboe concerto, a harp concerto, and a trumpet suite. So the Water Music may be that same recording that is on Chandos.
I never got the Tchaikovsky violin concerto until i heard Campoli, never got Sibelius violin concerto until I heard Spivakovsky. None of them can be claimed to be the best by any standard but they provided the foundation for me. It's Interesting.
Chandos...love that sound they can put forward to my ears. Have you listened much to that older recording that used a gillion oboes/horns, maybe trumpets? It's different. I believe an English conductor led it.
I still fully agree with all these analyses: above all, we should like what we like spontaneously and not force ourselves to do so out of snobbery. As far as I'm concerned, the version of Water Music (and also of the Royal Fireworks) that has definitely enchanted me is the one by Raymond Leppard with the English Chamber Orchestra (Philips, 1971).
“Music that people like because they think they are supposed to like it”……excellent point.! I sometimes put The Four Seasons into that category. So overplayed and over recorded. Water Music is also in that grouping, but I will give this recommendation a listen!
It’s definitely good. I’m a big music lover, and I enjoy all musical periods. But I have a Baroque heart, even though my favorite composer is Beethoven. Water Music and The Four Seasons are pieces that, in my opinion, you need to have a very specific ear and mindset to truly understand. But yes, there are countless recordings of each, but I have my favorite versions, among which is Jordi Savall's. 😬
My first exposure to Water Music was Sir Hamilton Hardy's orchestration of six of the "good bits" from Handel's larger suites. I still like it a lot, but there was a lot of good music Hardy's arrangement left out, and the very romantic orchestrations would probably make period performance fans cringe! I've always liked Pinnock and the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, but will definitely give Gibson a listen.
Back when I was starting out, Harty's suite and reorchestration was what was generally available. I had Szell's recording. Somebody mentioned Menuhin's complete version, but I never had it. I have a couple now including Gardiner but now I'm off to find Gibson!
Great video
Thank you
We need more chamber music in this excellent series!
I agree.
Always, always loved the Water Music ( didn’t know I was supposed to!) and look forward to hearing this interpretation.
I’ve already listened to it; you can find it on Spotify if you don’t have the album. Yes, it has sublime parts, but in my opinion, I think there are better versions. I don’t know, let your ears judge for themselves. The important thing is to enjoy the music.
I perfectly understand people liking/disliking things, I`m one of them, only challenging myself, if I hear potential in a piece. What is somewhat baffling though, many say they like the Royal Fireworks, but not Water. I confess I could hardly name the jolly/beautifully wistful melodies, just keep them coming, Händel.
Thank you for all of your “Greatest Recordings Ever” series.
Thank you that insight into one of the many ways to enjoy music more.
This sounds gorgeous. Raymond Leppard with the English Chamber Orchestra on Philips has always been a favorite. Excellent sound.
Very true. The interpretation is light and vivid, and the sound of all the instruments can be heard clearly and distinctly. I never heard the so famous "Alla Hornpipe" like that before !
*He was entertaining his George*
Gotta love it.
I really think very, very highly of Gibson. You mentioned his Sibelius, which is outstanding. He's also done spectacular Elgar, Nielsen, & Walton, & very fine Stravinsky & Berlioz. He did an excellent Planets, still the best one that Chandos ever issued. There's a great disc of Scottish Overtures, which has the most smokin' version of Arnold's Tam o'Shanter. Everything he did is worth at least exploring. And that vintage early 80s Chandos engineering!
Dave you are a marvel. SO many videos! How do you do it?? So much info!! You’re the best!!
One of the first two CDs I ever purchased was Pinnock's Handel Water Music. My first recording of this work ever. I'd never given Water Music any attention prior to this. And yes, I imprinted. But I still think it's the best I've heard...invigorating, colorful, energetic, and very lyrical when needed.
So....as a Gibson fan, I should hear this! My first encounter with Gibson was his guest conducting appearance with the Houston Sym, where he led my very first encounter with the Dvorak 8th. I've been a fan of both, conductor and symphony, ever since.
(Unfortunately, when the Houston Sym recorded the Dvorak a few years later, it was under the baton of Comissiona. I was disappointed.)
I agree 100% about the Pinnock recording! Every time I come back to it, I'm amazed.
I like that Pinnock. IIRC it was the version Richard Freed recommended and I bought it based his recommendation. Not a big fan of original instruments but this one works for me.
I‘ll give Gibson a try. The Water Music never ceases to delight me. I‘m very fond of the Concerto Köln recording.
I have LOTS of Water Musics... because they come with the Royal Fireworks!
45 years ago, my new wife and I walked down the aisle to leave the church, to, The Hornpipe.
Same here, I needed a way in after hearing a handful recordings, but to me it was Van Beinum and the Concertgebouw. Maybe for the same reason, the playing of the orchestra?
Well it was meant for a state occasion on the water so that's why it's in random bits - bit like a parade on land! I always thought it was Handel's peace offering to king George to make up for having left George's court in Hanover without permission but fairly recently I discovered that the whole thing was planned and organized by the king in order to improve his image among the English.
I gotta say I really like that Gibson one, even though the Menuhin version is my favorite - even though the order is unusual and the playing is also unusual. I just enjoy it 😊 now that i think of it, Menuhin rarely shows up on your channel. I'd be super interested to hear your thoughts when an opportunity arises !
Here's a thought (maybe worth a video discussion), but you talk about music that took you much time to appreciate...like the water music.
How about music that we loved/hit us right for years, but now could care less. I guess that would be, "growing out of love" with some music.
Not recordings, but the actual music we have fallen out of love with.
For me it would be Bruckner. For years I could sing parts from symphonies 4 thru 9 & sit down and listen to a symphony complete, but now nothing 😢
Keep on listening!!!!
I never fsll out of love.
There's a recording of this led by Gerard Schwartz, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, that is unlike any other I've heard. The players add ornamentation - lots of it - and it's thrilling to hear. Modern instruments played by gifted virtuosi. Not for everyone, but taste and restraint be damned.
Thanks. Listening to it now.
Unless I am mistaken, It looks like Briliant Classics had a 2-CD release of Gibson/Scottish Chamber Orchestra, that includes not only the Water Music, but Royal Fireworks, an oboe concerto, a harp concerto, and a trumpet suite. So the Water Music may be that same recording that is on Chandos.
I never got the Tchaikovsky violin concerto until i heard Campoli, never got Sibelius violin concerto until I heard Spivakovsky. None of them can be claimed to be the best by any standard but they provided the foundation for me. It's Interesting.
Chandos...love that sound they can put forward to my ears. Have you listened much to that older recording that used a gillion oboes/horns, maybe trumpets? It's different. I believe an English conductor led it.
Mackerras.
I still fully agree with all these analyses: above all, we should like what we like spontaneously and not force ourselves to do so out of snobbery. As far as I'm concerned, the version of Water Music (and also of the Royal Fireworks) that has definitely enchanted me is the one by Raymond Leppard with the English Chamber Orchestra (Philips, 1971).
“Music that people like because they think they are supposed to like it”……excellent point.! I sometimes put The Four Seasons into that category. So overplayed and over recorded. Water Music is also in that grouping, but I will give this recommendation a listen!
It’s definitely good. I’m a big music lover, and I enjoy all musical periods. But I have a Baroque heart, even though my favorite composer is Beethoven. Water Music and The Four Seasons are pieces that, in my opinion, you need to have a very specific ear and mindset to truly understand. But yes, there are countless recordings of each, but I have my favorite versions, among which is Jordi Savall's. 😬
My first exposure to Water Music was Sir Hamilton Hardy's orchestration of six of the "good bits" from Handel's larger suites. I still like it a lot, but there was a lot of good music Hardy's arrangement left out, and the very romantic orchestrations would probably make period performance fans cringe! I've always liked Pinnock and the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, but will definitely give Gibson a listen.
Back when I was starting out, Harty's suite and reorchestration was what was generally available. I had Szell's recording. Somebody mentioned Menuhin's complete version, but I never had it. I have a couple now including Gardiner but now I'm off to find Gibson!