George Frederic Handel | Aradia Ensemble, Kevin Mallon | NAXOS | 2006

by Michael Lyons, Music Director

What an absolute delight to discover a new and refreshing recording of such well-worn music. Kevin Mallon and his Aradia Ensemble from Toronto has us standing up and taking notice.

And notice we should. This is by far the freshest sounding Water Music to come along in a long time. All three suites are included in this package, and as an added bonus the Music for the Royal Fireworks serves as a beautiful complement. Nice brisk tempos featured throughout on this no nonsense recording from Naxos of Handel’s classics. The Aradia Ensemble is precise and energetic and full of surprises.

Percussion has been added to the dance movements, prestos are played presto, and for the first time ever, transverse flutes (wooden open-holed instruments) have been used where indicated by the composer in the original manuscript giving the music an even more natural air.

Above all, Mallon and his Aradia Ensemble are able to make this music float and soar, what one would expect of celebratory music written for the out-of-doors. Take this one for a spin and be sure to have it on hand in the car when the spring weather arrives. Windows down, volume up.

(NAXOS 8.557764)