Even if they have never heard of George Frederic Handel’s “Water Music,” most people probably know at least snippets of the music from movie soundtracks or television commercials.
The 1717 work, commissioned by King George I for a concert performed on barges on the River Thames, has to be included on any top-10 list of the most popular works of the baroque era.
“It just seems to be one of those pieces with staying power,” said harpsichordist Frank Nowell, artistic director of the Baroque Chamber Orchestra of Colorado.
The ensemble, expanded to include period oboes, horns, bassoons and recorders, will present this weekend its debut performances of the first of the three suites that make up “Water Music.”
Also on the program will be Georg Philipp Telemann’s little-known “Water Music” counterpart, Suite in C major, written six years later for the Hamburg admiralty.
Performances are set for 7:30 p.m. today in St. John’s Episcopal Cathedral, 1350 Washington St.; 7:30 p.m. Saturday in First Congregational Church, 1128 Pine St., Boulder; and 4 p.m. Sunday in Wellshire Presbyterian Church, 2999 S. Colorado Blvd.
Tickets are $24, $19 for seniors and military personnel, and $5 for students. 303- 889-1012 or Kyle MacMillan
