(11 Handel Music for the Royal Fireworks, HVVV351. The Water Music, HWV348-50. Le Concert des Nations! Jordi Savall.

Astree Auvidis E8512 (74 minutes: DDD).

Selected comparison—coupled as above: AAM, Hogwood (3/83) (L'01) 400 059-20H

Of the period-instrument couplings of these two 'elemental' suites, this must be placed alongside that by the AAM under Hogwood at the top of the list. It is, however, strange that, though the booklet-notes acknowledge that the Water Music falls into "three suites" and that the Suite in G major was probably played during supper, the recorded performance ends with that in F major (described as "Suite II") preceded by the rest ("Suite I")—neither the published nor the 'logical' order. The 74minute duration of the disc does not allow the movements from the earlier Concerto in F to be included. There is the familiar re-titling and juggling with the order of movements, so that, inter alia, the "Coro" in Suite III becomes "Menuet I" and is followed by the Menuet in G major ("Menuet II"). By now we should be used to such manipulations, and those who like to follow the score will be grateful that they do not extend to the Royal Fireworks Music.

What splendid performances these are though, spirited, clean-edged and elegantly embellished— by a solo trumpet in the Adagio of the Ouverture of the Fireworks Music, where the preceding section is repeated as marked. The orchestral force is substantial, with a string band of 5.4.2.3.2, and the comparatively high-level recording and generous acoustic give a deliberate sense of being close to the performers—just as, on the Thames, the King may have been in a barge adjacent to the musicians— rather than of hearing them from the riverside. Should the order of play disturb you it will be worth the trouble to programme your player to recognize your preferred one. Highly recommended. JD