Making a Splash with Handel's Water Music
The Best Moments
Water Music, HWV 348–350
Hello, I am George Frideric Handel, and here I have gathered the best moments of my Water Music for you. You will hear how I wrote music bold enough to carry across the open air in 1717, so pleasing King George I that he had us play it three times. On this site, the other composers and I also help you recognize our works as soon as they start playing, so come and visit the Trainer to test yourself.
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Waking up the River Thames
I start the Overture of my Water Music with two horns calling out across the water, which is a polite way of telling everyone on the River Thames to stop chatting and pay attention to the King's barge. The strings and oboes answer back in a slow, grand rhythm that steps along like a royal procession trying to keep its balance on a boat, before the whole orchestra suddenly takes off at a brisk, lively run.
A tune you do not need to row to
When we reach the Air, I let the strings and oboes sing a warm, easy melody that sways along at a comfortable walking pace, even if the early pages say Presto. It feels like taking a quiet breather on the deck while someone else does the heavy rowing, and when the tune comes around a second time, I bring the horns back in just to make the evening air sound a little richer.
Careful not to fall overboard
For the opening of the Hornpipe, I have the strings kick off a lively, bouncing English dance that makes it terribly hard for anyone on board to keep their feet still. Right after the strings lay down that jaunty tune, the brass jump in with a bold, ringing answer, like guests at a party who refuse to be outdone on the dance floor.
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I hope you have enjoyed listening through the highlights of my Water Music with me. What we have heard so far is only part of the evening on the water, and there is plenty more of the story and the three suites waiting to be discovered. If you would like to stay on board a little longer, just follow the links on this page to explore the rest of Water Music.
Recording: George Frideric Handel, CC BY-SA 3.0