G.F. Handel: Water Music: Suite No. 3 in G Major, HWV 350 for flute and harpsichord was written in 1717, originally for Flauto Piccolo (sopranino recorder or small flute), German Flute (traverso), and strings. The first complete authorized edition was published by John Walsh in 1733. While the Suites in F and D are characterized by "outdoor" instruments (horns and trumpets), the Suite in G Major is the "indoor" or "intimate" portion of the collection.

The premiere of the Water Music is one of the most famous events in music history, documented in the Daily Courant and a report by the Prussian envoy, Friedrich Bonet.
On July 17, 1717, King George I took a barge trip from Whitehall to Chelsea. A second barge followed, carrying 50 musicians. The King was so enamored with the music that he commanded it to be played three times in its entirety: once on the way up, once on the return, and once after supper.
The 1717 performance served a major political purpose. Handel had previously been the Kapellmeister to George I in Hanover and had arguably "overstayed his leave" in London. The Water Music was a grand gesture of loyalty, helping to re-establish Handel’s favor with the King and solidifying his status as the premier composer of the British court.

Claudio Ferrarini

Luigi Fontana (harpsichord), 1991, Stradivarius / Naxos

1. Andante

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Claudio Ferrarini

Luigi Fontana (harpsichord), 1991, Stradivarius / Naxos

2. Presto

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Claudio Ferrarini

Luigi Fontana (harpsichord), 1991, Stradivarius / Naxos

3. Minuetto

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Claudio Ferrarini

Luigi Fontana (harpsichord), 1991, Stradivarius / Naxos

4. Andante

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Handel George Frideric

George Frideric Handel (1685-1759) was a German-born British composer who is known for his oratorios (Messiah), operas, instrumental compositions as well as occasional works (Water Music; Music for the Royal Fireworks).
Born in Halle (Germany) in the family of barber (at that time barbers were surgeons as well), young Frideric started music studies with composer F.W.Zachow. After short organist career at the Cathedral of Halle, Hendel moved to Hamburg, playing violin and harpsichord in the opera orchestra. Then he traveled Italy for 5 years, while composing numerous works (two operas, cantatas and oratorios) and meeting with Corelli, and Scarlatti.
In 1710, after a great success of his opera Agrippina in Venice, Handel accepted Kapellmeister position to the elector of Hanover, the future King George I of England. After opera’s Rinaldo triumphal success in London, he composed several operas and occasional works gaining popularity and prosperity to the point where he reconsidered his return to Germany.
In 1718 he was a appointed Director of Music to the duke of Chandos. In 1727 Handel became a British subject that let him to become a composer to the Chapel Royal, composing Coronation Anthems for George II as well as other now famous occasional compositions. Since opera in general and Italian opera in particular saw considerable decline in popularity in Great Britain (mostly by tremendous success of "Beggar’s Opera" by John Gay that mocked traditional opera) by 1730s, Handel mostly dedicated his time and efforts to compose oratorios. His oratorio "Messiah", premiered in 1742, made a profound impression, thus connecting Handel to new audience who saw higher moral ground in this music as opposed to entertaining music of traditional Italian style opera. Even though Handel is one of the leading composers of the late Baroque, in England he is considered as a classic composer, and indispensable part of national culture of Great Britain.