George Frideric Handel Photo: Denner, Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons
By the time of Handel’s death in 1759, Messiah had received 56 performances in Britain. It later conquered the world – Florence 1768, New York 1770, Mannheim 1777 – that’s where Mozart first heard it – and let’s not forget Auckland, 1849 when selections were performed at the Mechanic’s Institute.
Peter Hoar sheds light on the life of a man who aside from composing, liked to play the stock market and thus earn enough to keep him eating and drinking a little bit too much.
We also learn about the rich legacy of Handel's music; how it was used for nation-building in post-WWI Germany and how it became a sonic symbol for national pride in the British colonies, including New Zealand, during the Victorian era
Music Details:
HANDEL: Every Valley Shall Be Exalted (Messiah) - Lizz Lee & Chris Willis with Mike E (Reprise)
HANDEL: Bourée from Oxford Water Music Suite in D major (Avie)
HANDEL: Lascia, ch'io pianga (Rinaldo) - Luba Orgonasova, Cecilia Bartoli, Bernarda Fink, David Daniels, Gerald Finley, Christopher Hogwood, Academy of Ancient Music (Decca)
HANDEL: No, di voi non vo' fidarmi - Laura Claycomb, Le Concert D’Astree, Emmanuelle Haim Virgin Veritas For unto us a child is born Choir of Christ Church Cathedral, Simon Preston, academy of Ancient Music (L’Oiseau-Lyre)
HANDEL: Vivi, tiranno! (Rodelinda) - Luba Orgonasova, Cecilia Bartoli, Bernarda Fink, David Daniels, Gerald Finley, Christopher Hogwood, Academy of Ancient Music (Decca)
HANDEL: Al lampo dell'armi - Andreas Scholl, Accademia Bizantina Decca He gave them hailstones for rain (Israel in Egypt) King's College Choir; Brandenburg Consort, Stephen Cleobury (ABC Classics)
HANDEL: Arm, arm ye brave (Judas Maccebeus) - Bryn Terfel, Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Charles Mackerras (ABC Classics)
HANDEL: Moses and the Children of Israel (Israel in Egypt) - 1888 Handel Festival Choir & Orchestra
HANDEL: Moses and the Children of Israel (Israel in Egypt) - Monteverdi Choir, English Baroque Soloists & John Eliot Gardiner (Universal International Music B.V.)
HANDEL: His Yoke is Easy (Messiah) - Auckland Choral, Pipers Sinfonia, Peter Watts, Auckland Choral (Auckland Choral)
