Handel - Water Musick / PBO · McGegan

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Nicholas McGegan's period-instrument account of the complete Water Music is informed, vibrant, and brilliantly recorded--a wonderful argument for authenticity. As an interpretation it ranks second to none, conveying the dances in a spritely, vivacious manner. The ensemble, consisting mostly of American players, is not quite as brilliant as the London bands that have dominated the period scene until recently. But while there are moments where the execution is just a bit under par (the oboes, for example, get a little scrappy in places), there can scarcely be any complaints about Lowell Greer's superb work as first horn. Listening to the disc is like sitting in on a performance; the experience is one of music from start to finish. The recording is intimate, a bit dry but with just enough ambience to give life to the sound, and very clear. --Ted Libbey --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Amazon.com

Nicholas McGegan's period-instrument account of the complete Water Music is informed, vibrant, and brilliantly recorded--a wonderful argument for authenticity. As an interpretation it ranks second to none, conveying the dances in a spritely, vivacious manner. The ensemble, consisting mostly of American players, is not quite as brilliant as the London bands that have dominated the period scene until recently. But while there are moments where the execution is just a bit under par (the oboes, for example, get a little scrappy in places), there can scarcely be any complaints about Lowell Greer's superb work as first horn. Listening to the disc is like sitting in on a performance; the experience is one of music from start to finish. The recording is intimate, a bit dry but with just enough ambience to give life to the sound, and very clear. --Ted Libbey

Customer Reviews:

Lively and rhythmic Water Music.......2006-01-17

I am a big fan of Handel orchestral music, and this is my favorite Water Music recording. In my opinion, some of the reviews posted here underrate this performance. McGegan does a great job of capturing Handel's inner rhythms, and at the reissue price this recording is a real bargain.

good, but...........2000-06-28

...not as good as Trevor Pinnock's marvellous recording for DG Archiv. Although quite elderly now (it was my test disc when I went looking for my first CD player 15 years ago), its bounce and gaiety put it right at the top of the heap, as far as I'm concerned. This new one is nicely played, but to me it just doesn't have the joie de vivre of the Pinnock version.

on second thoughts...........2000-06-28

I wrote the two-star review above (below?). On rehearing it, I think that I might have been a bit too harsh. Certainly after all the palaver I'd heard I was expecting something special and I felt let down when I didn't get it. To my mind, there remains no doubt that Pinnock's old recording for Archiv remains clearly the best in the field, bar none. However, this recording, while lacking the bounce and exuberance of Pinnock, is nicely played. I think 3.5 stars is about correct, so, if I award it five stars now, my rating will average out to what I think is the correct one. But do yourself a favour and hear Pinnock before you buy this one!

Ordinary.......2000-05-15

Don't be taken in by the palaver on the back of the CD box. This is a competent performance, but, in my opinion, dull, dull, dull. The best version remains Pinnock's wonderful late '80s version for DG Archiv which sparkles with life like no other I know.

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