Messing About on the River
Donald Macleod explores Handel's early years in London, when he becomes involved with the nascent opera scene.
This week, as part of the BBC's Eighteenth Century season, Donald Macleod explores the music Handel composed for the Georges, I and II, and to commemorate major events in their reigns.
Today, Handel is dismissed from his post as Kapellmeister to Georg Ludwig, Elector of Hanover, but restored to favour when Georg - now George - accedes to the British throne. George is a keen opera-goer so Handel, eager to please, throws himself with gusto into London's nascent operatic scene. Things come temporarily unstuck when the opera company runs into financial trouble and disbands, but this doesn't distract Handel from coming up with the perfect soundtrack for some right royal messing about on the river: his Water Music.
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Music Played
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George Frideric Handel
Te Deum and Jubilate for the peace of Utrecht
Conductor: Simon Preston. Performer: Academy of Ancient Music. Performer: Christ Church Cathedral Oxford Choir.- DECCA.
- 455-041-2.
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George Frideric Handel
Te Deum in D major HWV.280 (Caroline)
Performer: New College Oxford Choir. Performer: Robert King. Performer: Soloist/S.. Performer: The King’s Consort.- HYPERION.
- CDA-66315.
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George Frideric Handel
Amadigi di Gaula - opera
Conductor: Marc Minkowski. Performer: Eiddwen Harrhy. Performer: Jennifer Smith. Performer: Nathalie Stutzmann. Performer: Les Musiciens du Louvre.- ERATO.
- 2292-45490-2.
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George Frideric Handel
Water music - suite in F major HWV.348
Performer: Jordi Savall. Performer: Le Concert des Nations.- ALIA VOX.
- AVSA-9860.
Broadcasts
- Mon 21 Apr 201412:00BBC Radio 3
- Mon 21 Apr 201418:00BBC Radio 3
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