Water Music (Handel): Air & Bourree in F

[Martin Jonas]

Georg Friedrich Händel: Water Music, Suite 1 in F Major (HWV 348)
A. Air in F
B. Bourrée in F

My arrangement of these two movements from Handel's Water Music are based on trio arrangements for two violins and violoncello by Wanda Sobieska:

http://www.freegigmusic.com/violin-v...usic--air-in-f

http://www.freegigmusic.com/violin-v...music--bourree

I have adapted the arrangements for a trio of two vintage Italian bowlback mandolins and mandocello:

1915 Luigi Embergher mandolin
1890s Umberto Ceccherini mandolin
Suzuki MC-815 mandocello

Although the Water Music was written for a very large ensemble in order to be heard at outdoor performances, it translates nicely for an intimate trio. I've particularly enjoyed playing the 'cello part.



Martin

[Bill Clements]

Delightful!
This piece is a favorite of mine. Your arrangement is buoyant and fun.
What kind of strings are you using on your 'cello?
Thanks, Martin.

[Martin Jonas]

Delightful!
This piece is a favorite of mine. Your arrangement is buoyant and fun.
What kind of strings are you using on your 'cello?

Thanks, Bill. I feel that the Water Music should be played with a lot of energy -- it's music for a noisy outdoor event, so subtle dynamics don't enter into it.

I'm using TI flatwound 'cello strings, which were on the instrument when I bought it. When I got the 'cello last year I experimented with d'Addario strings, but after a few months switched back to the TIs. The d'Addarios had a bit more of a bright edge, which I liked, but they were buzzing all over the place even when I tried to play very cleanly. The TIs are much more forgiving -- pretty much no buzzing at all -- and after some experimentation I found a pick that brightens the tone quite a bit (a Jim Dunlop Stubby 1.5mm clear plastic large triangle with sharp, not rounded, corners), so I'm pretty happy with that combination. Mandocello is fun!

Martin

[rebus]

Great music!