This is a quite pleasing account of Handel’s Water Music suite. The Consort of London, performing on modern instruments, produces warm and robust sonorities as well as vibrant colors and lively rhythms. Robert Haydon Clark’s stylish and energized readings evoke the feelings of celebration inherent in the music.
The sound on this 1989 recording (originally released on Collins Classics) leans slightly toward the bright end of the spectrum but otherwise presents the ensemble in a spacious acoustic that affords good presence and detail.
There are more imposing versions of this well-loved music, most notably Trevor Pinnock’s feisty rendition with the English Concert on period instruments (which also includes the Royal Fireworks Music), but listeners who want to enjoy these pieces the way King George did–as background entertainment–will be quite satisfied with the present release. [6/3/2011]
