Handel's lasting influence remains in the operatic world. His operas which were rarely performed a generation or two ago, have found renewed life in the 21st century. Why? Not for the first time here, the music makes its own case. Consider this album from one of the most exciting singers in the opera world today: … Continue reading Interlude: Handel’s Enduring Influence
Tag: Handel
Handel and Opera
As much as I love Handel’s oratorios, his 42 operas are his supreme achievement. Another digression. I met my wife in the Spring of 1998 and we got together, in no small part, because my father developed a very serious tumor and was in the hospital for most of the next year. Over the course … Continue reading Handel and Opera
Handel’s Instrumental Music
Handel is best known for his oratorios and operas, but his instrumental music, often overlooked, reveals a brilliant mind at work. Handel learned the concerto grosso form from Corelli during his time in Italy and took Corelli’s innovation to the next level. Haydn and the modern symphony are now mere decades away, getting closer all … Continue reading Handel’s Instrumental Music
Baroque Music XI: George Frideric Handel (1685-1759)
“Handel is the only person I would wish to see before I die, and the only person I would wish to be, were I not Bach.” J.S. Bach “Handel is the greatest composer that ever lived... I would uncover my head and kneel down on his tomb.” Ludwig van Beethoven The two titans of Baroque … Continue reading Baroque Music XI: George Frideric Handel (1685-1759)
Telemann and Handel
Handel and Telemann kept up a robust correspondence and, not surprisingly, Telemann’s friendship and correspondence resulted in numerous Conversations between the two composers. And perhaps uniquely, this was a true two-way Conversation, with each man influencing the other. Here is an example of how Telemann influenced Handel. Handel, a subscriber to Telemann’s Tafelmusik publication, took … Continue reading Telemann and Handel
A Gertus History of Music 