《皇家煙火》是為慶祝英、法兩國在愛拉沙伯簽定和約而作。韓德爾親自指揮這部作品首演的時候,只用到管樂器和打擊樂器。但在這次演出後,後韓德爾還是在總譜中添上了弦樂器,但是不影響樂曲該有的壯麗色彩。據說《水上音樂》是遲滯未歸的韓德爾向英王喬治一世示意的作品。不過,這則故事很有可能是後人穿鑿附會的傳說,因為《水上音樂》的創作年代是1717年,這時喬治一世已經登基三年,然而曲名《水上音樂》卻極可能是喬治一世的意思,因為首演的場合是在泰晤士河皇家遊船的宴會上。這是韓德爾最重要的作品之一,從中可以聽到他精妙的管弦樂配器。
無論是《水上音樂》還是《皇家煙火》,平諾克與英國協奏團的詮釋始終充滿著熱情的氣息。他們的演奏速度非常恰當,抒情樂段也能維持輕柔迷人的氣氛,再加上清晰與平衡感極好的錄音效果,「對於找尋古樂版本的愛樂者來說,」《企鵝評鑑》表示:「這不僅是最保險,也是最好的選擇。」
Disk 1:
1. Water Music Suite No.1 in F, HWV 348 - 1. Ouverture (Grave - Allegro)
2. Water Music Suite No.1 in F, HWV 348 - 2. Adagio e staccato
3. Water Music Suite No.1 in F, HWV 348 - 3. Allegro - Andante - Allegro
4. Water Music Suite No.1 in F, HWV 348 - 4. (Menuet)
5. Water Music Suite No.1 in F, HWV 348 - 5. Air
6. Water Music Suite No.1 in F, HWV 348 - 6. Menuet
7. Water Music Suite No.1 in F, HWV 348 - 7. Bourrée
8. Water Music Suite No.1 in F, HWV 348 - 8. Hornpipe
9. Water Music Suite No.1 in F, HWV 348 - 9. (Andante)
10. Water Music, Suites II & III in D/G (HWV 349/350) - 1. Allegro
11. Water Music, Suites II & III in D/G (HWV 349/350) - 2. Alla Hornpipe
12. Water Music, Suites II & III in D/G (HWV 349/350) - 3. (Menuet)
13. Water Music, Suites II & III in D/G (HWV 349/350) - 4. Rigaudon
14. Water Music, Suites II & III in D/G (HWV 349/350) - 5. Lentement
15. Water Music, Suites II & III in D/G (HWV 349/350) - 6. Bourrée
16. Water Music, Suites II & III in D/G (HWV 349/350) - 7. Menuet
17. Water Music, Suites II & III in D/G (HWV 349/350) - 8. (Andante)
18. Water Music, Suites II & III in D/G (HWV 349/350) - 9. (Country Dance I/II)
19. Water Music, Suites II & III in D/G (HWV 349/350) - 10. Menuet
Disk 2:
1. Music for the Royal Fireworks, HWV351 (1749) - Overture
2. Music for the Royal Fireworks, HWV351 (1749) - Bourée
3. Music for the Royal Fireworks, HWV351 (1749) - La paix
4. Music for the Royal Fireworks, HWV351 (1749) - La Réjouissance
5. Music for the Royal Fireworks, HWV351 (1749) - Minuet
6. Concerto in F, HWV 331 - (without tempo indication)
7. Concerto Grosso op.3, no.5 in F major - Adagio
8. Concerto in F, HWV 331 - 2. Alla Hornpipe
9. Concerto in D, HWV 335a - 1. Largo - Adagio - Allegro
10. Violin Sonata in D major, Op.1, No.13, HWV 371 - Trevor Pinnock (arr. f. organ) - Organo ad libitum (orig. 3. Larghetto)
11. Concerto in D, HWV 335a - 3. Allegro ma non troppo
12. Trio Sonata for 2 Violins and Continuo in G, Op.5, No.4, HWV 399 - 3. Passacaille
13. Trio Sonata for 2 Violins and Continuo in G, Op.5, No.4, HWV 399 - 4. Gigue (Presto)
14. Trio Sonata for 2 Violins and Continuo in G, Op.5, No.4, HWV 399 - 5. Menuet (Allegro moderato)
15. Occasional Suite in D Major - Overture - Allegro (from Occasional Oratorio HWV 62)
16. Occasional Suite in D Major - Adagio (from Occasional Oratorio HWV 62)
17. Occasional Suite in D Major - Marche (from Occasional Oratorio HWV 62)
18. Occasional Suite in D Major - Musette: Andante-Allegro - Musette:Andante (fr.HWV 33)
19. Occasional Suite in D Major - Finale: Allegro (fr. HWV 64 Joshua + HWV 21 (middle)