Page 88 - (DK) The Classical Music Book - Big Ideas Simply Explained
P. 88
86 AN INTERNATIONAL STYLE
ntil the late 19th century,
IN CONTEXT England was often known
U as the land without music.
FOCUS Even though London had a thriving
An international style
concert life, with the earliest
BEFORE tradition of public concerts in Handel is the greatest
1660s Following the Europe, the fashion was to promote composer that ever lived …
restoration of the monarchy in foreign composers and performers I would uncover my
England, Charles II reinstates rather than native musicians. Both head and kneel down
music to the English court. Handel and Johann Christian Bach on his tomb.
He favors the French style (known as the English Bach) moved Ludwig van Beethoven
and particularly promotes to London to make the most of its
dancing, a passion he acquired opportunities, and composers
during his exile in France. such as Mozart and Haydn often
visited the city as well-paid and
1670s A group of professional feted musicians.
musicians called the Music
Meeting open a concert hall Music as pleasure of some of the florid excesses of
near Charing Cross, London. When Handel arrived in London in High Baroque counterpoint that
1711, he already had a distinctive were favored by Bach.
AFTER style that was rooted in his North Handel was soon appointed
1727 Handel composes the German upbringing and influenced director of music to the Duke of
anthem Zadok the Priest for by his time in Italy. He had met Chandos, who introduced him to
George II’s coronation. Arcangelo Corelli and Domenico other members of the English
Scarlatti in Italy and achieved aristocracy. While employed by the
1800s Composers turn away success with Italian operas and duke, Handel honed a new, more
from an international style to religious works there. He was also forthright style, which can be heard
highlight the individuality of familiar with the work of Jean- in his Chandos Anthems and the
nations, finding inspiration Baptiste Lully, who dominated masque Acis and Galatea. It was
in folk dance rhythms and French music, and England’s Henry also at this time that he wrote
nationalist themes. Purcell. This cosmopolitanism Esther, the first of his English
appealed to London concert-goers, oratorios, a genre for which he
who welcomed Handel’s avoidance would become renowned.
George Frideric Handel Born in Halle, in northeastern there for the rest of his life.
Germany, in 1685, Handel received He later found fame with his
his earliest musical training from oratorios, especially Messiah,
a local organist. While still a and set a seal on his career with
teenager, he moved to Hamburg the Music for the Royal Fireworks
to work as a composer and from in 1749. Handel died a wealthy
there went to Italy. He developed man and was buried with the
his dramatic talent in the comic great and the good in London’s
operas Rodrigo (1707) and Westminster Abbey.
Agrippina (1709) and the psalm
setting Dixit Dominus (1707). Other key works
Returning to Hanover in
1710, Handel became Kapellmeister 1725 Rodelinda, HWV 19
(music director) to the Elector of 1742 Messiah, HWV 56
Hanover (later George I of Great 1749 The Music for the Royal
Britain and Ireland). He relocated Fireworks, HWV 351
to London a year later and lived 1751 Jephtha, HWV 70
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