Handel: Music for the Royal Fireworks/Concerti a Due Cori

On this CD:

1. Concerto a due cori No.2 in F major, HWV 333
Composed by George Frideric Handel
Performed by Il Fonadamento

2. Music for the Royal Fireworks, for orchestra, HWV 351
Composed by George Frideric Handel
Performed by Il Fonadamento

3. Concerto a due cori No.3 in F major, HWV 334
Composed by George Frideric Handel
Performed by Il Fonadamento

Tracks:

Water Music - Horn Suite In F Major: I. Overture: Largo - Allegro
Water Music - Horn Suite In F Major: II. Adagio E Staccato
Water Music - Horn Suite In F Major: III. Allegro - Andante - Allegro
Water Music - Horn Suite In F Major: IV. Presto
Water Music - Horn Suite In F Major: V. Air
Water Music - Horn Suite In F Major: VI. Minuet For The French Horn
Water Music - Horn Suite In F Major: VII. Bourree
Water Music - Horn Suite In F Major: VIII. Hornpipe
Water Music - Horn Suite In F Major: IX. (Allegro)
Water Music - Horn Suite In F Major: X(F). (Allegro)
Water Music - Horn Suite In F Major: XI(F). Alla Hornpipe
Water Music - Flute Suite In G Major: XV. (Menuet)
Water Music - Flute Suite In G Major: XVI. Presto
Water Music - Flute Suite In G Major: XVII. Menuet
Water Music - Flute Suite In G Major: XVIII. (Menuet)
Water Music - Flute Suite In G Major: XIX. Country Dance
Water Music - Trumpet Suite In D Major: X(D). Allegro
Water Music - Trumpet Suite In D Major: XI(D). (Alla Hornpipe)
Water Music - Trumpet Suite In D Major: XII. Trumpet Minuet
Water Music - Trumpet Suite In D Major: XIII. Lentement
Water Music - Trumpet Suite In D Major: XIV. Air
Water Music - The Alchymist: Overture
Water Music - The Alchymist: Prelude - Minuet
Water Music - The Alchymist: Saraband - Borree - Aire - Borree
Water Music - The Alchymist: Minuet - Aire - Jigg

Tracks:

Water Music - The Musick for the Royal Fireworks: I. Overture
Water Music - The Musick for the Royal Fireworks: II. Borree
Water Music - The Musick for the Royal Fireworks: III. La Paix
Water Music - The Musick for the Royal Fireworks: IV. La Rejouissance
Water Music - The Musick for the Royal Fireworks: V. Menuets I & II
Water Music - Concerto A Due Cori No.1 In B Flat Major: I. Ouverture
Water Music - Concerto A Due Cori No.1 In B Flat Major: II. Allegro ma non troppo
Water Music - Concerto A Due Cori No.1 In B Flat Major: III. Allegro
Water Music - Concerto A Due Cori No.1 In B Flat Major: IV. Largo
Water Music - Concerto A Due Cori No.1 In B Flat Major: V. A Tempo Ordinario
Water Music - Concerto A Due Cori No.1 In B Flat Major: VI. Alla Breve Moderato
Water Music - Concerto A Due Cori No.1 In B Flat Major: VII. Minuet
Water Music - Concerto A Due Cori No.2 In F Major: I. Pomposo
Water Music - Concerto A Due Cori No.2 In F Major: II. Allegro
Water Music - Concerto A Due Cori No.2 In F Major: III. A Tempo Giusto
Water Music - Concerto A Due Cori No.2 In F Major: IV. Largo
Water Music - Concerto A Due Cori No.2 In F Major: V. Allegro Ma Non Troppo
Water Music - Concerto A Due Cori No.2 In F Major: VI. A Tempo Ordinario
Water Music - Concerto A Due Cori No.3 In F Major: I. Ouverture
Water Music - Concerto A Due Cori No.3 In F Major: II. Allegro
Water Music - Concerto A Due Cori No.3 In F Major: III. Allegro Ma Non Troppo
Water Music - Concerto A Due Cori No.3 In F Major: IV. Adagio
Water Music - Concerto A Due Cori No.3 In F Major: V. Andante larghetto
Water Music - Concerto A Due Cori No.3 In F Major: VI. Allegro
Water Music: Aria 1 For Wind Band
Water Music: Aria 2 For Wind Band

Amazon.com

This is a fine Handel compilation that provides a nice overview of his orchestral music with brass instruments, as well as his only incidental score (music written to accompany the action of a play). Christopher Hogwood uses the arrangement that Handel made of the Fireworks Music for normal-sized forces, including strings, which were absent from the original. All the music is played with a fine sense of style, and a goodly bit of the "pomp and circumstance" that Handel above all others knew how to capture in music. At two discs for the price of one, this is an extremely good deal. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

Water Music is so soothing..........2007-01-11

I love this album. Too often when I've tried classical albums the music has not been soothing, but this is very relaxing. If you are looking for great music to relax by or listen to in the car, this is it.

A Noble Performance.......2006-03-11

I have listened to numerous renditions by different performing artists, for several years, of both Water Music and Music for the Royal Fireworks. The first time I listened to this CD played by the Academy of Ancient Music I felt I was listening to a high class performance. There is something about the clear sound of the instruments and the tempo and dedication to detail that this group of artists put into its performance that it really inspires me into the wonderful world of the baroque classical music and somehow it transports me to the time when Handel himself was composing and directing these beautiful masterpieces. And the bonus is also the beautifully played Duo A Cori concertos. I recommend it!

Towards the higher end of the pack.......2004-03-11

Reading the liner notes, I am reminded that the occasion for which the water music originally was composed was royal river outing that started in the evening and lasted until 4:00 AM (Take THAT you modern clubhoppers!). The music was played three times through the course of this trip. I doubt there were many teetotallers. Soo...royal oarsmen, wine goblets overflowing with the best claret, tipsy nobleman and...hey! don't hit that river barge! Watch where you're goin' mate!

As such, I'd expect a little roughness in performances (especially for the 3:30 AM gig). Ill-tuned horns and all, I think Hogwood delivers about as faithful a rendition as is currently available. There are certainly more "refined" versions of the water music. I think these better resemble the follow-on peformances for the genteel, perfumed ladies seeking money for the foundling hospital. That's the beauty of Orpheus and Pinnock versions.

Hogwood gets 4 stars for getting close to the river ride. I will admit that my view has been biased by the fabulous 1976 rendition by Jean-Claude Malgoire which hasn't been bettered in this respect. No English band can shake a stick next to drunken French horn players. But Hogwood is a good near-term substitute until Sony wakes up and dips further into their vaults.
Additionally, the Fireworks music is fabulous; the due cori very nice, with similar touches of earthiness. All in all a good outing, and for decent prices.

Recommendable........2004-02-19

I have recently returned to these two CDs (which I bought and listened to for a while some three years ago) and found that they were not quite as bad as I remembered. The tempi are very well sprung, the spirits are high and the "Water Music" in particular is played with some delicacy and finesse (which I hardly take for granted from Hogwood's early recordings). The roughness of the result is mainly due the scratchy tone of the strings and inaccurate tuning of the horns.
If you are a period-instrument enthusiast this Double-Decca, because of its low "duo" price, could have some edge against such strong competitors (which I haven't listened to) as Pinnock, Gardiner and Savall. And at the same "duo" price you can get also Hogwood's wonderful performances (with the Handel&Haydn Society) of Handel's Concerti Grossi Op.6. However, if you care more for variety of dynamics and lightness of touch than for period-instrument sound, I recommend you instead to get all the twelve op.6 Concerti AND the "Water Music" AND the "Musick for the Royal Fireworks" (but not the "Alchymist" suite, the "Concerti a due cori" and the two "Arias for Wind Band") at "trio" price in superlative, "historically-correct" and mellower sounding performances by the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra.

Bravo Mr. Handel.......2003-02-20

A Great Master's Mastery, Masterly Mastered by a Master!!
Translation?? In any speak, this is classic Handel, played at it's best, by the one who should know!!!

Hogwood's genious as a foremost expert on my personal favourite composer, can never be overestimated, and here, presented in a medium of works we all know and can relate to, are a showcase of his awesome skills and brand of 'Mastery'!!

One feels obliged to pay homage to composer and conductor alike, for without either, we could not see the creation of this CD, in what is a pinnacle of art and high standard in performance.

Tracks:

Music for the Royal Fireworks: Ouverture (Adagio-Allegro-Lentement-Allegro)
Music for the Royal Fireworks: Bourree
Music for the Royal Fireworks: La paix
Music for the Royal Fireworks: La rejouissance
Music for the Royal Fireworks: Menuet I
Music for the Royal Fireworks: Menuet II
Concerto a due cori No.2 in F: Pomposo
Concerto a due cori No.2 in F: Allegro
Concerto a due cori No.2 in F: A tempo giusto
Concerto a due cori No.2 in F: Largo
Concerto a due cori No.2 in F: Allegro ma non troppo
Concerto a due cori No.2 in F: A tempo ordinario
Concerto a due cori No.3 in F: Ouverture
Concerto a due cori No.3 in F: Allegro
Concerto a due cori No.3 in F: Allegro ma non troppo
Concerto a due cori No.3 in F: Adagio
Concerto a due cori No.3 in F: Andante larghetto
Concerto a due cori No.3 in F: Allegro

Customer Reviews:

Inspired.......2002-05-09

I'm sorry that this album is not widely available everywhere. It is a terrific collection of period Handel. If the Ouverture to Music for the Royal Fireworks fails to raise your blood pressure, I don't know what will. The first seven minutes alone are worth buying the whole disc for. The dance music that follows is delightful. The delicate flourish repetitions in La Paix ache with beauty. La Rejouissance breaks in with horse-race intensity and enthusiasm. The two Concerto a due cori that are included on this recording are also formidable. The first (No. 2) includes some easily recognizable material Handel recycled from some of his other works. Particularly interesting is the 5th movement whose ground bass-line was pulled from a birthday ode to Queen Anne. The Adagio from the 2nd Concerto on the disc (No. 3) is quite forlorn and touching. And its final Allegro frollicks as only Handel can. A great disc if you can get your hands on it.

Water Music / Fireworks Music / Concerti Grossi

Average customer rating:

The Great Mr Handel in a very small box.

Water Music / Fireworks Music / Concerti Grossi
Handel , and Menuhim
Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

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Bach: Orchestral Suites & Concertos
Beethoven - The Complete String Quartets / Alban Berg Quartet
Sibelius: The Complete Symphonies & Tone Poems
Chopin: Piano Works, Vol. 3
Strauss: Orchestral Works

ASIN: B00006HM8W
Release Date: 2002-11-05

Tracks:

I: A Tempo Giusto
II: Allegro
III: Adagio
IV: Allegro
V: Allegro
I: Andante Larghetto
II: Allegro
III: Largo
IV: Allegro, Ma Non Troppo
I: Larghetto
II: Andante
III: Allegro
IV: Polonaise: Andante
V: Allegro, Ma Non Troppo
I: Larghetto Affettuoso
II: Allegro
III: Largo, E Piano
IV: Allegro
I: Larghetto, E Staccato
II: Allegro
III: Presto
IV. Largo
V: Allegro
VI: Menuet: Un Poco Larghetto

Tracks:

I: Larghetto E Affettuoso
II: Allegro, Ma Non Troppo
III: Musette: Larghetto
IV: Allegro
V: Allegro
I: Largo
II: Allegro
III: Largo, E Piano
IV: Andante
V: Hornpipe
I: Allemande: Andante
II: Grave
III: Andante Allegro
IV: Adagio
V: Siciliana: Andante
VI: Allegro
I: Largo
II: Allegro
III: Larghetto
IV: Allegro
VI: Gigue
V: Menuet
I: Ouverture
II: Allegro
III: Air: Lento
IV: Allegro
V: Allegro
VI: Allegro Moderato

Tracks:

I: Andante Larghetto E Staccato
II: Allegro
III: Largo E Staccato
IV: Andante
V: Allegro
I: Largo
II: Allegro
III: Larghetto, E Piano
IV: Largo
V: Allegro
I: Largetto
II: Allegro
III: Adagio
IV: Allegro
I: Andante
II: Allegro
III: Adagio
IV: Alla Giga
I: Adagio
II: Allegro
III: Largo
IV: Allegro
I: Affettuoso
II: Allegro
III: Larghetto
IV: Allegro

Tracks:

I: Adagio
II: Allegro
III: Largo
IV: Allegro
I: Adagio
II: Allegro
III: Largo
IV: Allegro
Ouverture: Maestoso
Allegro
Adagio E Staccato
Allegro
Andante
Allegro Da Capo
Moderato - Trio
Air
Menuet - Trio
Bourree
Hornpipe
Dialogue: Allegro Molto
Allegro
Adagio
Gigue
Hornpipe
Menuet
Hornpipe Da Capo
Minuett
Lento
Presto
Lento
Presto
Minore
Presto
Menuet
Andante
Country Dance: Allegro

Tracks:

I: Larghetto E Staccato
II: Allegro
III: Adagio
IV: Andante
I: Sinfona - II. A Tempo Ordinario E Staccato
III: Allegro
IV: Adagio E Staccato
V: Allegro Ma Non Presto
I: Adagio
II: Organo Ad Libitum
III: Allegro
IV: Organo Ad Libitum
V: Gavotte: Allegro
I: Allegro
II: Andante
III: Adagio
IV: Allegro
I: Largo
II: Allegro
III: Alla Siciliana
IV: Presto

Tracks:

I: Andante - II: Allegro
III. Larghetto
IV. Allegro Moderato
I: Andante
II: Andante
III: Largo E Piano
IV: Fuga: Allegro
V: Organo Ad Libitum: Adagio
VI: Bouree: Allegro
I: Ouverture
II: A Tempo Ordinario
III: Organo Ad Libitum: Largo
IV: Allegro
I: Allegro
II: Organo Ad Libitum: Adagio E Fuga
III: Spiritoso
IV: Menuett I - Menuet II
I: Adagio
II: Allegro Cosi Cosi
III: Organo Ad Libitum
IV: Allegro

Tracks:

I: Allegro Ma Non Troppo, E Staccato
II: Organo Ad Libitum
III: Andante Larghetto E Staccato
IV: Organo Ad Libitum: Adagio
V: Menuet
I: Pomposo
II: Organo Ad Libitum: Lento
III: Air: A Tempo Ordinario
I: Larghetto
II: Allegro
III: Organo Ad Libitum
IV: Larghetto
V: Allegro
I: Largo E Staccato
II: Organo Ad Libitum
III: Andante
IV: Grave
V: Allegro
I: Andante
II: Organo Ad Libitum
III: Allegro

Tracks:

I: Overture: Grave - Allegro Ma Non Troppo
II: Allegro
III: Largo
IV: A Tempo Ordinario - Alla Breve (Moderato)
V: Menuet
I: Andante
II: Adagio
III: Allegro
I: Ouverture: Grave - Allegro - Lentement - Allegro
II: Bourree
III: La Paix
IV: La Rejouissance
V: Menuet I
VI: Menuet II
Marches: Atalanta (HWV 35) - Joshua (HWV 64) - Occasional Oratorio (HWV 62)

Customer Reviews:

The Great Mr Handel in a very small box........2004-10-06

In terms of quantity, Bach and Handel's orchestral music occupies only a small part of their total works. There are many masterpieces amongst them, however. In the case of Handel, the concerti grossi and most of the organ concerti are works of high order, as are the famous "Fireworks Music" and "Water Music".

EMI have selected for their "Handel" box, all these works, together with several violin sonatas and a few other miscellaneous items. The recordings date from the years 1962-1970. This was the time when Yehudi Menuhin successfully extended his music making activities, collecting eminent instrumentalists around him while leading as violinist. These are not the recordings of Handel music he made later during his more problematic phase as conductor.

I don't recommend this box to those who insist on the authentic sound of period instruments. Menuhin and Co. clearly exploit the beauties of sound texture and the varieties of classical forms that Handel's scores provide, using instruments and playing styles that could equally well apply to the music of C19th composers. Menuhin's own special sound, especially in the violin sonatas, is rich and vibrant. George Malcolm provides the harpsichord work in the concerti grossi, playing a Goff harpsichord with its inimitable "nutty" tone. It is a young Simon Preston who features in the organ concerti, recorded in a variety of locations using organs some of which date back to Handel's time.

There are other Handel "boxes" on the market, providing more or less the same coverage of works in more recent recordings. Missing in this Menuhin box are the oboe concerti - regrettable because they comprise some of the last recordings made by oboist Leon Goossens.

If, like me, you prefer Handel's instrumental to his vocal music, you will find much to enjoy and great value in this slim box of 8 CDs.

Handel: Music for the Royal Fireworks - Concerti a Due Cori

Average customer rating:

Handel: Music for the Royal Fireworks - Concerti a Due Cori
George Frideric Handel , Jeanne Lamon , and Tafelmusik
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

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Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
ASIN: B0000029X6
Release Date: 1998-01-20

Tracks:

Music For The Royal Fireworks, HWV351: Ouverture
Music For The Royal Fireworks, HWV351: Bour
Music For The Royal Fireworks, HWV351: La Paix
Music For The Royal Fireworks, HWV351: La Ruissance
Music For The Royal Fireworks, HWV351: Menuet I
Music For The Royal Fireworks, HWV351: Menuet II
Concerto No.2 In F Major, HWV333: Pomposo - Allegro
Concerto No.2 In F Major, HWV333: A tempo giusto
Concerto No.2 In F Major, HWV333: Largo
Concerto No.2 In F Major, HWV333: Allegro ma no troppo
Concerto No.2 In F Major, HWV333: A tempo ordinario
Concerto No.1 In B Flat Major, HWV332: Ouverture - Allegro ma non troppo
Concerto No.1 In B Flat Major, HWV332: Allegro
Concerto No.1 In B Flat Major, HWV332: Largo
Concerto No.1 In B Flat Major, HWV332: A tempo ordinario
Concerto No.1 In B Flat Major, HWV332: Alla breve moderato
Concerto No.1 In B Flat Major, HWV332: Menuet
Concerto No.3 In F Major, HWV334: Ouverture - Allegro
Concerto No.3 In F Major, HWV334: Allegro ma non troppo
Concerto No.3 In F Major, HWV334: Adagio
Concerto No.3 In F Major, HWV334: Andante larghetto
Concerto No.3 In F Major, HWV334: Allegro

Amazon.com

This isn't one of Tafelmusik's more successful recordings. The problem isn't that they use the wind and strings version of the Fireworks music, but rather that the performance simply fails to realize the grandeur and vigor that this work, above all, expresses to perfection. The timpani and brass, so critical to the success of the work, here sound relatively timid indeed, and with so many blazing performances of this music around, there's no room for second best. --David Hurwitz

Average customer rating:

Handel: Music for the Royal Fireworks/Concerti a Due Cori

Manufacturer: Passacaille
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000052282
Release Date: 2000-11-21

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