Posted on 12/25/2022 7:45:18 AM PST by SeekAndFind
In the autumn of 1823, when Beethoven was worked hard on the composition of the Ninth Symphony, he was visited by an Englishman, Edward Schultz. The conversation turned to composers that Beethoven admired. Expecting Beethoven to give priority to composers from his immediate tradition, such as Haydn and Mozart, Schultz was both surprised and delighted with the unequivocal response: ‘Handel is the greatest, the ablest composer that ever lived’. When Schultz tried to bring Mozart’s name into the conversation Beethoven’s response was an impatient one: ‘In a monarchy we know who is the first’.
This is one of many complimentary remarks that Beethoven made about Handel, reflecting a view that he had held for much of his life. But it was not an unusual one in the Vienna of the time. Handel’s music enjoyed a presence in the musical life of the city that was equal to that of Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven, even though the composer had died half a century earlier and had never even visited the city.
bkmk for study.
Yes. Bach's St. Matthew Passion.
For anyone who might have missed my other post, here’s a Christmas flash mob singing the Hallelujah Chorus in a mall food court. Good stuff.
This most recent rendition from Barcelona at the Basilica De Santa Maria Del Mar is a favorite of mine:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jynUQjIXxM
One reason is it’s an opera on English, so it’s easy on the ears. The Isiah verses are short but powerful.
Let George ‘Handel’ it!
Other works on his ‘Grand & Beautiful’ List include;
*Water Music- Suite #2.
*Concerto for Organ F maj. aka The Cuckoo & The Nightingale
*Arrival of Queen Sheba
****Fireworks Music - Concerto No.26 (known to knock one’s socks off!)
Messiah sung by the choir of New College, Oxford:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyXewGfDx5l1g9KKCzWTNalsdynvUAI8v
Divine Inspiration
Wow, that was wonderful. Great post - thanks!
>>Handel’s Messiah” oratorio, including the powerfully beautiful Christmas-oriented “For unto us a child is born” based on the writings of the Prophet Isaiah, and the soaringly magnificent Hallelujah Chorus.<<
Exquisite—and Handel knew it as (and after) he wrote it!
“I know my Savior liveth” gets me every time...
A German speaker advised the name written Händel (umlaut—ä—added) is an English-speakers construct.
USNA Handel’s Messiah, “Hallelujah Chorus” My granddaughter is a member of the USNA Glee club which performs this masterpiece
I'll bet you're very proud of your granddaughter !
A very Merry Christmas to you...and your talented young lady !
Leni
Oh I’m so goad you agree! MERRY CHRISTMAS!
I’m an incorrigible sapiophile. That’s why I love Free Republic so much.
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