Handel's "Water Music" is a collection of orchestral
movements, which premiered on 17 July 1717 in a concert
for King George I. The concert was a unique performance
held on the river Thames. At about 8 p.m. on the
designated day, the King and several aristocratic
friends traveled aboard a royal barge from Whitehall
palace towards Chelsea. A second barge contained an
orchestra consisting of about fifty musicians which
performed Handel's music as the royal excursion
proceeded. The King's pleasure ...(+)
Handel's "Water Music" is a collection of orchestral
movements, which premiered on 17 July 1717 in a concert
for King George I. The concert was a unique performance
held on the river Thames. At about 8 p.m. on the
designated day, the King and several aristocratic
friends traveled aboard a royal barge from Whitehall
palace towards Chelsea. A second barge contained an
orchestra consisting of about fifty musicians which
performed Handel's music as the royal excursion
proceeded. The King's pleasure with his musical
accompaniment was such that he ordered the music to
repeated no less than three times.
The German-born George Frideric Handel (1685-1759) was
a famous Baroque composer who lived much of his life in
Britain. He was successful as a composer of oratorios,
anthems, operas and organ concertos. Handel received
his education in Germany and Italy before settling in
Britain in 1712. He set out to supply the English
nobility with Italian Opera, and within 15 years had
successfully established three commercial opera
companies. After a physical breakdown in 1737 he began
to address the musical needs of the middle-class of
society. After the success of "Alexander's Feast" in
1736 he chose to concentrate on English choral works.
The Oratorio "Messiah" (1742) was well received, and
thereafter he never performed an Italian opera again.
Handel's coronation anthem "Zadok the Priest", has been
performed at every British coronation since George II's
accession to the throne in 1727.
Lewis, Alastair (1974 - )
SHEET MUSIC