- Paperback: 120 pages
- Publisher: Sound And Vision Publishing Ltd ,Canada (1 Sep 1994)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0920151175
- ISBN-13: 978-0920151174
- Product Dimensions: 22.8 x 15.2 x 0.8 cm
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Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
1,038,419 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #94 in Books > Music, Stage & Screen > Music > Styles > Classical Music > Composers > Handel
Getting a Handel on Messiah
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Product Description
Product Description
This work presents the truth behind Handel's most famous work. It uncovers scores of little known facts and stories about the "Messiah" that will fascinate and inform everyone. Handel's "Messiah" is one of the most played and recognised pieces of music in the world, but, if you thought you knew all there was to know about this famous work, then think again. "Getting a Handel on Messiah" delves deep into the pages of history to uncover the many fascinating, insightful and entertaining stories behind the masterpiece. For instance, it reveals that the first performance of "Messiah" did not happen in London as is commonly believed, but in Dublin with only a handful of musicians. It also reveals the fact that Handel's impulse to compose the work did not come from religious or even musical inspiration, but was motivated by his bank balance! All these and many more entertaining and entirely true facts are featured in this romp through music history.
About the Author
David Barber is a journalist and musician, he has written numerous books on a number of music-related topics.
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1 review
23 of 23 people found the following review helpful
Concise, Witty and Informative
21 Aug 2001
Format:Paperback
What do Jonathan Swift and Thomas Bowdler have to do with Handel? Barber does a great job of illustrating these and other historically relevant facts. The book was well written and witty. I read this book in one sitting while listening to the Messiah being performed by the Chicago St. Clements choir using the original baroque style instruments. If only every book had an accompanying orchestral score! The few illustrations were appropriate and funny. I've included some excerpts below:
Notes:
* His father wanted him to become a lawyer. His mother helped sneak a clavichord up to the attic. p 18
* Got his first break when he played organ at a Calvinist cathedral even though he was Lutheran. The previous organist was fired for showing up drunk Sunday morning. p22
* Soloist Susannah Cibber brought the audience to tears. Dr. Patrick Delany the chancellor of St. Patrick's Cathedral stood up and shouted "Woman, for this be all thy sins forgiven." p49
* The original Messiah chorus had 32 singers -16 boy trebles, 16 men, 32 piece orchestra p32
* Jonathan Swift was dean of St. Patrick's Cathedral and in an irritable state three years before his death almost cancelled the concert on confusion.
* Charles Jennens who edited five works of Shakespeare lived a couple houses down from the Bowdler family (his cousin married a Bowdler). Thomas Bowdler(1754 - 1825) took all the "dirty words" out of Shakespeare producing the Family Shakespeare. p62
* King George II started standing during the Hallelujah chorus. p74
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