Handel.Water Music. Cond. Arthur Davidson. EMI, 1974.

A London newspaper, The Daily Courant , reports in 1715: "On Wenesday Evening, at about eight, the King took Water at Whitehall in an open barge . . . and went up the River towards Chelsea. Many other barges with persons of Qualilty attended, and so great a number of boats that the whole river in a manner was cover'd; a City Company's Barge was employ'd for the Musick, wherein were fifty instruments of all sorts, who play'd all the way from Lambeth (while the barges drive with the tide without rowing [an advantage for the audibility of the music], as far as Chelsea) the finest symphonies, composed express for this occasion, by Mr. Handel; which his Majesty liked so well, that he caus'd it to be plaid over three times in going and returning. At eleven his Majesty went a-shore at Chelsea, where a Supper was prepar'd, and then there was another very fine Consort of Musick, which lasted until two; after which, his Majesty came again into his barge,and return'd the same way, the Musick continuing to play tell he landed."

Handel was already recognized as both a great and a popular composer; the king of England at this time was George I, the Elector of Hanover, who had become king of England on the death of Queen Anne in 1714.

Probably a harpsichord was not provided in the barge on the river where this piece was first performed, but it is certain that at subsequent performances Handel would have directed the performance from the keyboard. (Richard Townend)