The Cambridge companion to Handel

Description

Handel is recognised as one of the principal creative figures in Baroque music. In this Companion acknowledged experts on Handel make their expertise accessible to the interested general reader and music lover. All the genres in which Handel composed are considered including oratorio, chamber cantata, opera, and church music, as well as works for the keyboard and orchestra. The wide-ranging, specially-commissioned essays cover topics from Handel's composing methods to his treatment of the Italian language and matters of performance practice. The background to Handel's musical career is a major theme of the volume. The opening chapters deal with his musical education in Germany and the circumstances in Italy during his time there. Most of Handel's career was based in London and important topics here include contemporary concert life and theatre management, the British and Italian musicians among whom he worked, and the librettists for the English oratorios. List of plates Notes on contributors Preface Chronology Introduction Donald Burrows Part I. Background: 1. Germany - education and apprenticeship John Butt 2. Italy - political and musical contexts Carlo Vitali 3. Handel's London - political, social and intellectual contexts William Weber 4. Handel's London - the theatres Judith Milhous and Robert D. Hume 5. Handel's London - British musicians and London concert life H. Diack Johnstone 6. Handel's London - Italian musicians and librettists Lowell Lindgren 7. Handel's London - Handel's English librettists Ruth Smith Part II. The Music: 8. Handel and the aria C. Steven LaRue 9. Handel's compositional process David Ross Hurley 10. Handel and the idea of an oratorio Anthony Hicks 11. Handel's sacred music Graydon Beeks 12. Handel's chamber music Malcolm Boyd 13. Handel as a concerto composer Donald Burrows 14. Handel and the keyboard Terence Best Part III. The Music in Performance: 15. Handel and the Italian language Terence Best 16. Handel and the orchestra Mark W. Stahura 17. Production style in Handel's operas Winton Dean 18. Handel's oratorio performances Donald Burrows Bibliographical note Notes List of Handel's works Index.