Music fit for a King
The Irish Youth Orchestra
The Irish Youth Baroque Orchestra presented a superb performance of Handel’s (1685-1759), 'Water Music', in the Large Room as part of the Symphony Club of Waterford’s summer season.
The IYBO orchestra’s performance is the culmination of a week long course in baroque music and instruments that is overseen by the National Irish Youth Orchestra under the direction of Claire Duff who is not only an inspirational leader, but a fountain of enthusiasm and information regarding the players, the instruments and the history of the composition.
For this year’s Performance Course the IYBO introduced brass instruments with natural horns and trumpets included for the first time making this year’s IYBO orchestra the most ambitious band thus far.
Claire Duff explains: "This year’s course was packed full with fun and inspiring baroque dance sessions, engaging and stimulating rehearsals and relaxing Feldenkrais sessions.
"There is an intense amount of learning in just a few days and the level of improvement from the first day to the two concerts at the end of the week is always quite amazing.”
The Water Music is a collection of orchestral movements, often published as three suites, composed by George Frideric Handel.
It premiered on 17 July 1717, in response to King George I's request for a concert on the River Thames.
In 1710, Handel was appointed music master for Prince George, Elector of Hanover.
However, the composer got the heave-ho from Prince George for spending too much time in London where the lolly was just flowing in. However, on the death of Queen Anne, George of Hanover – Anne’s nearest relative – became King of England and Handel, despite his fears to the contrary, was now back in favour.
The first performance of the Water Music took place on the Thames about 8 p.m. on Wednesday, July 17, when King George I and several aristocrats boarded a royal barge at Whitehall Palace, for a boat trip to Chelsea.
Another barge, provided by the City of London, transported about 50 musicians who performed Handel's music.
The composition broke new ground (water???) with the introduction of horns, trumpets and timpani to boost the work of the woodwind and strings.
Was this where the inspiration for the Paris Olympics opening ceremony originated? I wonder?
Many other Londoners also took to the river to hear the concert.
London newspaper, The Courant, reported that 'the whole River in a manner was covered with boats and barges.
'On arriving at Chelsea, the king left his barge, then returned to it at about 11 p.m. for the return trip.
'The king was so pleased with Water Music that he ordered it to be repeated at least three times, both on the trip upstream to Chelsea and on the return, until he landed again at Whitehall.'
Tonight’s performance is full of the joy and fun of Handel’s composition.
Baroque dancers perform a variety of dances from Menuet, Bourrée, Sarabande and of course the lively Hornpipe that all feature in the Water Music.
The young players are polished with a rich and rounded sound and play with an enthusiasm that is a joy to hear.
Baroque music is never dull or slow but vibrant and alive with the joy of living.
The entire performance sounds full of life – music fit for a king, really.
