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Class #3. Baroque Music, part 2 George Frideric Handel 1685-1759. JS Bach……. "[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.". George Frideric Handel.
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Class #3 Baroque Music, part 2 • George Frideric Handel • 1685-1759
JS Bach…… • "[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."
George Frideric Handel • German-born composer of Italian, French, and German styles catering to English audiences
George Frideric Handel • Studied in Italy • International career • Impresario and theater owner • Made and lost a fortune • London and the Royal Academy of Music
Handel’s Vocal Music • 42 operas • 29 oratorios • 129 Cantatas • Expanded role of the chorus
Handel’s Instrumental Music • Prolific composer of instrumental music • Orchestral suites • Water Music • Music for the Royal Fireworks
HWV numbers • Händel-Werke-Verzeichnis • (abbreviated as HWV) • Catalogue of Handel's Works • London Home
Baroque Instruments • Instrument designs were improved • Finest violins in history came from shops of Stradivarius Guarneri Amati
The Baroque Orchestra • Violin strings made of gut • Woodwinds made of wood • valveless, or “natural” • Horns and trumpets • Timpani
Baroque Keyboard Instruments • Organ • Harpsichord • Clavichord harpsichord
The Baroque Sonata 1. Sonata da camera 2. Sonata da chiesa • Written for 1–8 instruments • Most often: two violins and continuo • Handel Trio sonata
Baroque Concerto • Contrast and unity • Latin concertare (“to contend with”) • Opposition of different forces
Organ concerto Two Types of Concerto #1: Solo Concerto
Two Types of Concerto • #2: Concerto Grosso • Harp Concerto
New terms • Concerto • Sonata • Tutti • Suites
Two orchestral suites by Handel • Water Music 1717 • Music for the Royal Fireworks1749
Water Music, Suite in D major, II • Royal party on the Thames River in London, July 17, 1717 • 22 separate stand-alone pieces • Hornpipe
First performance • April 17, 1717. Daily Courant : the King took Water at Whitehall in an open Barge ... and went up the [Thames] River towards Chelsea. Many other Barges with Persons of Quality 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 50 instruments of all sorts, who play'd all the Way from Lambeth the finest Symphonies, compos'd express for this Occasion, by Mr. Hendel; 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 till 2; after which, his Majesty came again into his Barge, and return'd the same Way, the Musick continuing to play till he landed.
Royal Fireworks Music 1749 • Golden Jubilee in 2002
Contrapuntal Devices MELODY MELODY MELODY MELODY MELODY MELODY
Handel’s Vocal Music “Opera is the delight of Princes.” —Marco Da Gagliano
Two types of vocal music… • Oratorio • Opera
Oratorio and Opera Similarities • Overture • Aria • Da capo aria • Recitative • Ensemble numbers: • Duet, Trio, Quartet, etc. • Chorus
Oratorio and Opera Differences • Language • Italian vs. English • Staging • Subject matter • Libretto (Librettist) • Sacred vs. Sacred Text
Baroque Oratorio • Oratorio • Performed by solo voices • Soprano • Alto • Tenor • Bass (or, Baritone) • Large chorus (SATB) • orchestra • no staging or costumes
Handel: Messiah • Premiered in Dublin in 1742 • Written in 24 days • Libretto: in three separate parts • Compilation of Old and New Testament text
Aria vs. Recitative • Recitative • Text is centered on the plot • Simple to sing • No melody or rhythmic complexities • Chords accompanied on the harpischord • Aria • Text is about the character’s feelings • Highly difficult music requires vocal technique • Memorable tunes • Full orchestral accompaniment
Recitative from Theodora • Lorraine Hunt Lieberson Ah! Whither should we fly, or fly from whom? The Lord is still the same, today, for ever, And his protection here, and everywhere. Though gath'ring round our destin'd heads The storm now thickens, and looks big with fate, Still shall thy servants wait on Thee, O Lord, And in thy saving mercy put their trust.
Messiah: Soprano aria “Rejoice greatly (da capo aria) Melisma
Baroque OperaThe New Genre of the Baroque Era Large-scale musical drama combining • Singing • Plot • Acting • Scenery • Costumes • Instrumental music
Voice assignments • Soprano • Mezzo-Soprano • Alto or Contralto • Tenor • Baritone • Bass
Julius Cesare • Montserrat Caballe • “Vadoro pupille”
Legacy • Fell out of popularity after his death. • Original instruments revival (1970s) • Bel Canto revival (1960s) • http://gfhandel.org/