With the rise of the "historically informed performance" movement, these arrangements by conductor/composer Sir Hamilton Harty of Handel's popular suites written for the first two King Georges are somewhat of an anachronism these days. The often astringent sounds of original instruments, played with tempi on the faster side, are here replaced by the smooth sounds of the modern symphony orchestra relayed with relaxed tempi in a spacious concert hall acoustic (conveyed in a 1961 recording that holds up remarkably well).
For the Royal Fireworks suite, Harty transcribed four movements for an orchestra consisting of strings, two oboes, two bassoons, four horn, three trumpets, timpani and side drum. I can't help thinking that Handel would have loved to have had a modern orchestra at his disposal. Concert audiences in the 1960s would have heard Handel played like this - certainly not how Handel would have heard it, but very enjoyable nonetheless.
Cartridge: Soundsmith Zephyr MIMC Star
Phono amp: Graham Slee Accession MC
Turntable: CTC Classic 301 with SME M2-12R
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