Georg Friedrich Handel

Georg Friedrich Handel (1685-1759) Handel's "Water Music" was written for the royal family in London when Handel visited London. , composed in 1715. At the time, night cruises on the Thames were a favorite summer activity for the royal family. Take a cruise with colorful lights, surrounded by groups of large and small sailboats, and there are musicians playing music next to the king's ship. Handel participated in three such night excursions (August 22, 1715, July 17, 1717, and April 26, 1736). The earliest original manuscript of his "Water Music" has actually been lost. , the most detailed reproduction was copied by Ledlich. This work is organized into three groups based on Handel's three night excursions. The first group includes 10 pieces in F major:

1. Overture, starting with a gorgeous largo, followed by a lively fugue. grid segment.

2. Adagio, strings are accompanied by the oboe.

3. Allegro, highlighting two solo horns.

4. Andante, comparison between woodwind section and string instruments.

5. Allegro is still dominated by two solo horns.

6. Aria, a majestic string melody.

7. Minuet.

8. Boule.

9. Flute dance music. It is an ancient dance music performed by British sailors in the 18th century.

10. Allegro.

The second group includes 5 pieces in D major:

1. Allegro, celebration, march form.

2. Trumpet dance music, paired trumpet and horn contrast, with attractive syncopated rhythm.

3. Minuet, continuing to emphasize the French horn and trumpet.

4. Slowly, with beautiful lines similar to vocal music. .

5. Boule, with ever-changing rhythms, this piece is marked "Play three times from beginning to end."

The third group includes 4 dance movements:

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1. Sarabande.

2. Ligoton, a folk dance from Provence, France.

3. Minuet.

4. Gig.

"Water Music" is also called "Water Music" and "Boat Music". Handel composed it in 1717 as an orchestral suite. Legend has it that it was played on the Thames River in London, England for the newly enthroned King George I, so it has the reputation of "water music". The entire suite consists of twenty ditties, starting with a French-style prelude, followed by various forms of dance music such as boulevards and minuets, as well as slow movements. The musical instruments include violin, double bass, Germanic flute, French flute, oboe, French horn, trumpet, etc. The "Water Music" we play and hear now is no longer Handel's original work, but a piece later adapted for modern orchestras by Sir Harty, conductor of the Halle Band in Manchester, England. It has six movements: Allegro, boulevé, minuet, horn dance (an ancient three-beat dance), Andante, resolute Allegro. Because of its beautiful melody and light rhythm, it has been passed down to future generations. Here we have selected the first, second and sixth movements out of the six movements.

The first movement is a solemn overture. The atmosphere of the music is lively and enthusiastic. At the beginning, the French horns and string instruments play light unison repetitions and gorgeous vibrato in reply to each other.

The second movement is a dance-like melody with a relaxed atmosphere. The second theme selected here is in a minor key and is very lyrical.

The sixth movement is a resolute Allegro, powerful and majestic. This part is the most exciting chapter of the whole song.