Nuts About Handel
Posted on December 23rd, 2007 and filed in Baroque, Handel, Nuts about HandelAbout 9 months ago I went crazy over Handel. I didn’t know his music much at that point, but rapidly accumulated a few hundred downloads, burned 3 or 4 CD’s to play in my truck and did a bit of reading about his life.
At some point I started thinking, ‘Gosh – he might be as great as Bach.’ They were born in the same year (1685) and Handel lived 9 years longer – D. 1759. Writing this blog entry I was going to Google, “Handel and Bach who is the greatest?” You’re bound to be able to follow your nose through cyberspace and find lots of scholarly comparisons. But that takes all the fun out of it! So I decided to pass this Post onto someone who must be a Handel freak (because he uses the name Handel on a music forum I access now and again.) Probably the best Classical Music forum.
( http://www.talkclassical.com/)
Hopefully in the next few days you’ll see a Comment regarding who is the ‘greatest’ (“Handel” from the Forum responding) YES! Handel submitted a comment. (*see it above) Meanwhile here are a few pieces I like. There are two other posts that contain pieces by Handel – click on the link for Handel at the right.
This first piece: Trio sonata for 2 violins & continuo in G minor, Op. 2/8, HWV 393 (doubtful): Largo What you hear here! is a version adapted for oboe.
adaptation for oboe
http://jimsclassicalmusic.com/wp-content/uploads/02-largo-for-oboe-violin-and-b-c.mp3Right Click to Download
Concerto grosso op-3 in g major-adagio
http://jimsclassicalmusic.com/wp-content/uploads/the-academy-of-ancient-music_10_handel-concerto-grosso-op-3-no-3-in-g-major-ii-adagio.mp3Right Click to Download
Concerto grosso in Bb, op.6 no. 7 Largo
http://jimsclassicalmusic.com/wp-content/uploads/titov-classicalarchivescom-handel-concerto-grosso-in-bb-op6-no7-3largo-e-piano.mp3Right Click to Download
January 19th, 2008 at 4:06 am
I’m a member of Talkclassical.com
I wrote a short article for this forum on the greatness of Handel… Hope it brings light on the composer and his legacy.
The greatness of Handel can be found if you don’t limit yourself at the style of the time. Other composers understood this greatness.
Some quotes (FWIW) to start
Mozart said that “Handel understands effect better than any of us — when he chooses, he strikes like a thunderbolt… though he often saunters, in the manner of his time, this is always something there”.
Haydn: C’est William Shield qui écrit: J’en profitai pour lui demander ce qu’il pensait du choeur “The Nations tremble at the dreadfoul sound” de Josuah. Il me répondit qu’il s’y connaissait depuis longtemps en musique, mais qu’avant d’entendre ce choeur, il n’avait réalisé qu’à moitié la puissance qui pouvait être la sienne et que certainement seul un auteur inspiré avait pu ou pourrait concevoir une oeuvre aussi sublime. (from a Haydn biography)
Translation: It’s William Shield who wrote: I asked to Haydn what he was thinking of the “The Nations tremble at the dreadfoul sound” chorus from Josuah. Haydn said that before listening this chorus, he only realized the half of its the power and that only an inspired author could conceive a sublime work like this one.
Beethoven: “Go to him to learn how to achieve great effects, by such simple means” (e.g. Beethoven was amazed by the simplicity/efficacy of Handel’s funeral march from Saul).
These quotes sum the main reasons why I like Handel’s music and makes it great.
1- Let’s begin why the effects. He had great dramatic gifts. He knew how to use them. For the only purpose of the drama, he often went further than the operatic rules would permit. This dramatic sense can even be seen in his instrumental music.
But more than that, he was a keen psychologist. More than anyone composer during baroque era he develop characters in his operas/oratorios/cantatas who showed nature of human being with his qualities and flaws. His singers were not only high vocal performer (as the public wanted at this time), but characters having real feelings. On this aspect, he was the Mozart of baroque era.
2- Let’s talk about his music’s power. Many say that they find Handel too pompous. Even if Handel had to compose official music who could sound pompous, many people lack to understand that what they call pomp can be might. (And it starts to the fact that Handel is still unknown. Many people do not go further than Water Music and Fireworks Music. It easy to judge a compose when you only listen those 2 works).
Hope it gave you a better understanding of the composer, and the man as well.
June 5th, 2010 at 11:25 am
Hi Jim,
I found the first comment so very interesting and informative.
Well, I haven’t any technical expertise so can only describe the emotions and feelings Handel’s music evokes.
He is definitely one of my favourite composers,but why is more difficult to answer!
His music is so tuneful whether it’s “grand” or simple and the arias in his operas are so often very beautiful.
Then I like what he does with the accompaniments to vocal works.He could also create feelings of suspense and awe, too, with his use of instruments eg. the initial build up in “Zadok the Priest”. He composed music suitable for the occasion—from Coronations to entertainments.
For other works he is a master of setting the scene,and his oratorios, which I love, are treated as dramas as well as religious works.
His instrumental works can enter the realm of sublime—I have been listening
to those for the oboe, and many are too beautiful to describe in words!In short, he thoroughly understands the instruments that he uses and makes the most of their qualities—this goes for the voice, too. I especially like listening to a good Handelian tenor!
Regards,
Polly.