GF Handel, born the same year as JS Bach and Giuseppe Domenico Scarlatti — 1685 — had a distinct sound that married his German roots with his new country of England. We’ll have a weeklong look at the life and music of England’s most celebrated German composer. Since the Baroque era, many of his works are played every year since their first hearing, which is now over 300 hundred years ago. And a good hour into the Messiah we all stand for the Hallelujah chorus just as George II did at its first performance.
Handel, George Frideric
Playlist
Episode 1
George Frideric Handel: “The Lord Our Enemy Has Slain” from Esther
Orchestra of the Sixteen/Christophers
Esther (1718 Version)
Collins 70402
2:37
George Frideric Handel: Sonata Op. 2 in g minor, I & II
London Baroque
Händel – Sonates en Trio op.2
HM 901379
4:06
George Frideric Handel: Suite of Dances from Almira, I-IV
Academy for Ancient Music Berlin
Overtüren
HM 901852
9:52
George Frideric Handel: “Vedrai s’ a tuo dispetto” from Almira
Brandenburg Consort/Goodman; Kirkby, soprano
Opera Arias and Overtures, Vol. 1
Hyperion 66860
4:37
George Frideric Handel: Overture from Nero (excerpt)
Parley of Instruments/Holman
Handel in Hamburg
Hyperion 67053
2:27
George Frideric Handel: Overture from Rodrigo (excerpt)
Parley of Instruments/Holman
Handel in Hamburg
Hyperion 67053
3:36
George Frideric Handel: “Perché viva il caro sposo” from Rodrigo
Brandenburg Consort/Goodman; Kirkby, soprano
Opera Arias and Overtures, Vol. 1
Hyperion 66860
6:01
George Frideric Handel: Sinfonia from Agrippina
English Concert/Pinnock
Handel: Overtures
Archiv 419219
3:59
George Frideric Handel: “Pensieri,
voi mi tormente” & “Bel piacere” from Agrippina
Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment/Bicket; Fleming, soprano
Handel
London B0003160-02
6:57
Episode 2
George Frideric Handel: “Pensieri, voi mi tormente” from Agrippina
Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment/Bicket; Fleming, soprano
Handel
London B0003160-02
1:52
George Frideric Handel: “Lascia ch’io pianga”
& “Scherzando sul tuo volto” from Rinaldo
Academy of Ancient Music/Hogwood; Bartoli, mezzo-soprano; Daniels, countertenor
HANDEL MASTERWORKS
London 473380
8:30
George Frideric Handel: Overture from Il Pastor Fido (excerpt)
English Concert/Pinnock; Standage, violin
Handel: Overtures
Archiv 419219
3:20
George Frideric Handel: Utrecht Te Deum (excerpts)
Academy of Ancient Music & Choir of Christ Church Cathedral/Preston; soloists
Handel – Messiah
Ois 414413
11:22
George Frideric Handel: Water Music- Suite in D Major
English Concert/Pinnock
Handel: Water Music
Archiv 410525
21:03, 1:45
Episode 3
George Frideric Handel: Sinfonia from Acis & Galatea
Scottish Chamber Orchestra/Gibson
Handel: Music For The Royal Fireworks
ASV 6188
3:12
George Frideric Handel: “Oh didst thou know” from Acis & Galatea
Academy of St. Martin in the Fields/Marriner; Battle, soprano
Arias = Arien = Airs
EMI 49179
7:23
George Frideric Handel: “I rage, I melt, I burn!” from Acis & Galatea
Scottish Chamber Orchestra/Mackerras; Terfel, baritone
Handel: Arias
DG 453480
4:22
George Frideric Handel: Esther (excerpts)
Orchestra & Choir of The Sixteen/Christophers
Esther (1718 Version)
Collins 70402
16:50, 6:46
George Frideric Handel: Gavotte from Ottone
Orchestre Baroque de Montréal/Thiffault
Handel: Ouvertures
Atma 2157
2:06
George Frideric Handel: “Come to me, soothing sleep” from Ottone
Ferrier, alto; Moore, piano
Mahler: Kindertotenlieder
EMI 610032
4:14
George Frideric Handel: Sarabande &
Gigue from Keyboard Suite in g minor, HWV 452
Jarrett, piano
Suites For Keyboard
ECM 1530
3:34
Episode 4
George Frideric Handel: Overture from Giolio Cesare
Concerto Köln/Jacobs
Giulio Cesare
HM 901385.87
3:01
George Frideric Handel: “Piangerò la sorte mia” from Giolio Cesare
Academy of St. Martin in the Fields/Marriner; Battle, soprano
Arias = Arien = Airs
EMI 49179
6:22
George Frideric Handel: Giolio Cesare (excerpts)
Concerto Köln/Jacobs
Giulio Cesare
HM 901385.87
13:46
George Frideric Handel: Concerto Grosso in F Major, Op. 3 No. 4b
Concentus Musicus Wien/Harnoncourt
Concerti Grossi Op. 3 – Nr. 1-6 / Oboekonzert G-Moll
Teldec 8.35545
10:19
George Frideric Handel: Violin Sonata in G major, HWV 358
Manze, violin; Egarr, harpsichord
Complete Violin Sonatas
HM 907259
4:39
George Frideric Handel: Zadok the Priest
Academy of St. Martin in the Fields/Marriner
Best of Handel
Philips 412733-2
5:27
George Frideric Handel: Concerto for Organ No. 6 in B-flat Major
Academy of St. Martin in the Fields/Marriner; Malcolm, harpsichord
Handel: Orchestral Works
London 458333
6:29
Episode 5
George Frideric Handel:
“See, the Conqu’ring Hero Comes” from Judas Maccabaeus
Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields/Marriner
Best of Handel
Philips 412733-2
3:24
George Frideric Handel: Concerto Grosso in G Major, Op. 6 No. 1
Academy of Ancient Music/Manze
Handel – Concerti grossi, op. 6 / AAM · Manze
HM 907228.29
11:04
George Frideric Handel: “Revenge, Timotheus cries” from Alexander’s Feast
& “Ombra mai fu” from Serse
Scottish Chamber Orchestra/Mackerras; Terfel, baritone
Handel: Arias
DG 453480
7:12, 3:00
George Frideric Handel: Music for the Royal Fireworks
LSO/Szell
The Water Music / Royal Fireworks Music (Excerpts)
London 417694
14:19
George Frideric Handel: “Worthy is the Lamb”
& Hallelujah Chorus from Messiah
English Baroque Soloists & Monteverdi Choir/Gardiner
Messiah
Philips 411041
7:26, 3:47