class #3 baroque music, part 2 –george frideric handel 1685-1759
Post on 21-Dec-2015
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TRANSCRIPT
JS Bach……
• "[Handel] is the only person I would wish to see before I die, and the only person I would wish to be, were I not Bach."
George Frideric Handel
• German-born composer of Italian, French, and German styles catering to English audiences
George Frideric Handel
• Studied in Italy
• International career
• Impresario and theater owner
• Made and lost a fortune
• London and the Royal Academy of Music
Handel’s Instrumental Music• Prolific composer of
instrumental music
• Orchestral suites– Water Music– Music for the
Royal Fireworks
HWV numbers
• Händel-Werke-Verzeichnis – (abbreviated as HWV)
• Catalogue of Handel's Works
– London Home
Baroque Instruments
• Instrument designs were improved
• Finest violins in history came from shops of
StradivariusGuarneriAmati
The Baroque Orchestra
Violin strings made of gutWoodwinds made of woodvalveless, or “natural”
Horns and trumpets
Timpani
The Baroque Sonata
• Written for 1–8 instruments
• Most often: two violins and continuo
• Handel Trio sonata
1. Sonata da camera 2. Sonata da chiesa
Baroque Concerto
• Contrast and unity
• Latin concertare (“to contend with”)
• Opposition of different forces
Water Music, Suite in D major, II
• Royal party on the Thames River in London, July 17, 1717
• 22 separate stand-alone pieces– Hornpipe
First performance
• April 17, 1717. Daily Courant :
the King took Water at Whitehall in an open Barge ... and went up the [Thames] River towards Chelsea. Many other Barges with Persons of Quality attended, and so great a Number of Boats, that the whole River in a manner was cover'd; a City Company's Barge was employ'd for the Musick, wherein were 50 instruments of all sorts, who play'd all the Way from Lambeth the finest Symphonies, compos'd express for this Occasion, by Mr. Hendel; which his Majesty liked so well, that he caus'd it to be plaid over three times in going and returning. At Eleven his Majesty went a-shore at Chelsea where a Supper was prepar'd, and then there was another very fine Consort of Musick, which lasted till 2; after which, his Majesty came again into his Barge, and return'd the same Way, the Musick continuing to play till he landed.
Contrapuntal Devices
Original: Inversion:
Retrograde: Retrograde inversion:
Augmentation: Diminution:
Oratorio and Opera Similarities
• Overture• Aria
– Da capo aria
• Recitative• Ensemble numbers:
– Duet, Trio, Quartet, etc.• Chorus
Oratorio and Opera Differences
• Language
– Italian vs. English
• Staging
• Subject matter
– Libretto (Librettist)
– Sacred vs. Sacred Text
Baroque Oratorio
• Oratorio– Performed by solo voices
• Soprano
• Alto
• Tenor
• Bass (or, Baritone)
– Large chorus (SATB)– orchestra– no staging or costumes
Handel: Messiah
• Premiered in Dublin in 1742
• Written in 24 days
• Libretto: in three separate parts
• Compilation of Old and New Testament text
Aria vs. Recitative
• Recitative– Text is centered on the plot
– Simple to sing
– No melody or rhythmic complexities
– Chords accompanied on the harpischord
• Aria– Text is about the character’s feelings
– Highly difficult music requires vocal technique
– Memorable tunes
– Full orchestral accompaniment
Recitative from Theodora
• Lorraine Hunt Lieberson
Ah! Whither should we fly, or fly from whom?
The Lord is still the same, today, for ever,
And his protection here, and everywhere.
Though gath'ring round our destin'd heads
The storm now thickens, and looks big with fate,
Still shall thy servants wait on Thee, O Lord,
And in thy saving mercy put their trust.
Baroque OperaThe New Genre of the Baroque Era
Large-scale musical drama combining
• Singing
• Plot
• Acting
• Scenery
• Costumes
• Instrumental music