Finale at Rotorua

New Zealand Listener, Volume 21, Issue 543, 18 November 1949, Page 13

Finale at Rotorua

]N this article,

BESSIE

POLLARD

discusses in outline a symphonic

work which will be presented by the National Orchestra at the final | public concert of the 1949 season, in Rotorua on November 24 The "Water Music" Suite (Handel) HE Suite known as the Water Music is the set of 20 airs and jolly dance tunes (such as the bourree, hornpipe, minuet and so on) loosely linked together in Serenade or Divertimento style, which Handel composed for one or more pageants on the River Thames in London. Out of the confusion of tales attached to this most attractive work, almost the only one supported by documentary evidence comes from an account in the Daily Courant of July 19, 1717, which says that on July 17 of that year the King (George I.) and "many persons of quality" proceeded in barges down the Thames from Whitehall to Chelsea. One barge contained an orchestra of 50. instruments (including trumpets, hunting horns, oboes, bassoons, flutes, "but without voices"). Handel’s music so delighted the King that he "caused it to be played three times in going and returning." Today the music is usually performed as a suite, from the original serenade of five or six numbers, arranged for modern orchestra by Sir Hamilton Harty. ' L The opening movement-Allegro-of this abridged Suite features horns answered by woodwind and strings2s

Then comes the Air-a lovely, gracious melody in. true Handelian style~-

Two dance-form movements follow in succession: The’ first of these is a bourree-a_ quick gavotte ("A" below), and the second, a hornpipe ("B" below), an English dance-form jn triple time popular in the 16th and 17th Centuries-

The Andante Espressivo has a most appealing melody treated dialogue fashion by woodwind and strings-

The Allegro deciso is direct: and challenging; based on a es Sretieilld theme-

Handel’s famous "Water Music Suite,’ arranged by Sir Hamilton Harty, will _be presented at the Rotorua concert of the National Orchestra on Thursday, ‘November 24. ;