Cover; Contents; List of Illustrations; List of Figures; 1 Germany, 1685-1706; 2 Italy and Hanover, 1706-10; 3 Music for Germany and Italy, 1706-10; 4 London: The First Decade, 1711-19; 5 The Music, 1711-19; 6 The 'Academy' Years, 1720-32; 7 The Music of the 'Academy' Years; Operas; Other Works; 8 The Transitional Decade I: Competition, 1732-7; 9 The Transitional Decade II: Confusion, 1737-41; 10 The Music, 1732-41; Operas; Oratorios and Odes; Church Music; Instrumental Music; 11 The Oratorio Composer I: Dublin and London, 1741-5; 12 The Oratorio Composer II: Towards Victory, 1745-9.
Summary
Handel is one of the most remarkable figures in the history of western music. His compositions form one of the peaks of creative achievement in the Baroque period, and cover a remarkable range: full-scale Italian operas and English oratorios (including Messiah), but also shorter works such as the Water Music and the Coronation Anthem Zadok the Priest. His compositional processes were often complex, but could result in accessible and memorable 'hit tunes', such as the aria that subsequently became famous as 'Handel's Largo'. His life and career were as remarkable as his music. Born in Germany to.
