GEORG FRIEDRICH HAENDEL (1685-1759)

Water Music & Fireworks

1-9 WATER MUSIC. SUITE I (HWV 348)
Ouverture & Adagio - Allegro - Andante -
Allegro Da Capo - Presto - Air - Menuet -
Bourrée & Hornpipe - Air
10-14 WATER MUSIC. SUITE II (HWV 349)
Prélude - Alla Hornpipe - Menuet -
Lentement - Bourrée
15-18 WATER MUSIC. SUITE III (HWV 350)
Sarabande - Rigaudons - Menuets - Gigues
19-24 MUSIC FOR THE ROYAL FIREWORKS
(HWV 351)
Ouverture. Adagio - Ouverture. Allegro -
Bourrée - La Paix - La Réjouissance - Menuets
25 JOYEUX ANNIVERSAIRE (bonus track)

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About this CD

"After half a century of musicological, organological and scientific investigation, the different guidelines we use for interpreting the Baroque repertoire have become very precise. If so, why are we still suspicious of the results of these investigations? It has been the intention of the hundred (!!!) musicians gathered here for the performance of the Water Music and Fireworks suites, in celebration of the 15th anniversary of Le Concert Spirituel, to put into practice, without any concessions, what they know of these early techniques, each one according to his or her field of specialization. [...] The sound is unusual in its colours and its energy; some ears, unaccostumed to meantone temperament, can expect to be surprised. But our queries and intuitions have met with bold answers, transparent and enriching, and that, without a doubt, show respect for thework."(Hervé Niquet)

Five years after the initial release of Handel's Water Music and Fireworks suites in the groundbreaking version from Le Concert Spirituel, we are now issuing the original surround master in a newly-designed digipakedition. Listening to a period instrument orchestra (made up of over one hundred players) with historically-informed tuning and with the full energy and sonic details permitted by the SACD format is an experience that no lover of the best baroque music should miss...