#georgefrederichandel

I have known about Judas Maccabeus since childhood, but I never grew to appreciate it until late adolescence. Even then, a few years passed before I could play parts again. Last night, I pulled my copy of the score from my bookshelf and began listening again, reminded of all the recitatives and arias that I had tried to learn and sing (very badly) years ago. An incredible work from the great Handel! It set me on the path of listening to his oratorios! 

Georg Friedrich Händel: 12 Concerti Grossi, Opus 6. Played by the superb Academy of Ancient Music. The stunning painting in the background comes from an artist whom I recently discovered: Canaletto (Giovanni Antonio Canal). His outstanding paintings of buildings in great cities (including London) really illustrate the richness of this Baroque era. And I cannot overestimate the pure joy of listening to Handel properly for a lengthy period of time. I recognised some of the Concerti, ones that I had loved for years and years, but never heard again properly. Handel has a light touch, but great depth. As Beethoven rightly said, his genius lay in making powerful themes from very simple notes. A genius. This is 2 hours, 37 minutes well-spent! 

The Water Music, a collection of orchestral movements, often published in 3 suite, composed by G. F Handel. As King George I requested, these suites were premiered on 17th July 1717, on River Thames. #GeorgeFredericHandel #KingGeorgeI 0