Handel: Music for the Royal Fireworks, HWV351

On a cold January day in 1989, two dozen oboes, twelve bassoons, nine horns, nine trumpets and two giant double drums were gathered in a north London church to make what became of Hyperion’s most iconic recordings: The King’s Consort’s recreation of Handel’s Musick for the Royal Fireworks is a sonic triumph of jaw-dropping majesty, its authenticity only stopping short at burning down the venue.

Ten years later Robert King and The King’s Consort turned their attentions to the Water Music. Handel’s commission was for an enormous party on the river Thames given by George I. A large orchestra was present on the musicians' barge: a good-size string section (despite the King’s outspoken loathing of ‘violeens’) and a substantial wind presence. The sound of a large baroque wind band produces a magnificent sonority. Similarly, a colourful continuo force on the river seems probable. The rhythmic impetus of a pair of baroque guitars combined with the colours of two harpsichords lends the music a vital danceband-like rhythm section, much in keeping with the King’s colourful intentions for his evening’s entertainment!

George Frideric Handel was born in Halle, a son of a barber-surgeon of some distinction who was 63 when Handel was born. His aptitude for music presented itself early and he was soon performing to the royalty and aristocracy. At 18 he moved to Hamburg but his real chance to develop his musical talents came when he moved to Rome in 1706. His Dixit Dominus – a setting of Psalm 109 – is now thought to have been written for the festival of Our Lady of Mount Carmel the following year. It shows how well Handel, a German Protestant, had been accepted by his hosts that the Cardinal should commission him to provide music for such a Catholic occasion. Ten years later Handel was in England and the provision of the Water Music for an excursion by barge on the Thames so delighted the new King George I (previously Elector of Hannover) that he duly forgave the composer for his behaviour whilst in his service in Germany.

In 1727 Handel provided four anthems for the Coronation of King George II of which one, Zadok the Priest, has been performed at every subsequent Coronation. The final work in this set is the Music for the Royal Fireworks written to celebrate the Peace of Aix-la-Chapelle in 1749.

Handel’s two most famous works were composed for outdoor extravaganzas on the Thames. The King dismissed Handel’s preference for strings and insisted on the use of military instruments. This release is a timely fanfare for the fast approaching Handel Year 2009.

Five years after the initial release of Handel's Water Music and Fireworks suites in the groundbreaking version from Le Concert Spirituel, Glossa are now issuing the original surround master in a newly-designed digipack edition.

"Under Niquet's high-adrenalin direction the instruments bray, rasp and swagger to gloriously raucous effect. You will not hear a more elementally exciting Fireworks than this." The Daily Telegraph

Handel’s Water Music and equally popular Firework Music are extremely well known standard repertoire for all Baroque enthusiasts. CPO are delighted to present this new interpretation, performed on period instruments by L’Arte dell’Arco and enhanced SACD sound quality to bring to life these two immensely popular works.