Many of my ‘composer crushes’ over the years have come and gone, as they do. However, my love for G.F. Handel never fades.
Lots of people concur…
Samuel Butler: “Handel is so great and so simple that no one but a professional musician is unable to understand him.”
And, “Handel is the greatest composer that ever lived. I would uncover my head and kneel on his grave.” Beethoven.
Three Handel gems for a chilly Monday. First, an aria from Alexander Balus, sung by Renée Fleming.
Next: the first movement of his “Dixit Dominus” (a psalm setting), pure choral delight.
Finally, a minuet from one of the keyboard suites, as arranged by Wilhelm Kempff, and performed by Khatia Buniatishvili.
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