George Frideric Handel: Volume 1, 1609–1725
Collected Documents

A multi-volume authoritative reference source for information about the life and career of George Frideric Handel.

Donald Burrows (Edited by), Helen Coffey (Edited by), John Greenacombe (Edited by), Anthony Hicks (Edited by)

9781107019539, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 20 February 2014

855 pages, 20 b/w illus. 10 music examples
25.3 x 18.7 x 4.4 cm, 1.8 kg

'A major contribution to furthering our knowledge of Handel.' BBC Music Magazine

The life and career of George Frideric Handel, one of the most frequently performed composers from the Baroque period, are copiously and intricately documented through a huge variety of contemporary sources. This multi-volume major publication is the most up-to-date and comprehensive collection of these documents. Presented chronologically in their original languages with English translations and with commentaries incorporating the results of recent research, the documents provide an essential and accessible resource for anyone interested in Handel and his music. As well as being an outstanding musician with a successful career as a composer of Italian operas and English oratorios, Handel was a well-known figure in his own lifetime, with an international reputation. In charting his activities in Germany, Italy and Britain, the documents also offer a valuable insight into broader eighteenth-century topics, such as court life, theatrical history, public concerts and competition between music publishers. This volume includes family documents from Halle, then covers Handel's early career in Germany and Italy, followed by the period in which he became an established composer for London's Italian opera company while also writing the Water Music and the Utrecht Te Deum for the British court.

Preface
Introduction
The Documents: 1609–83
1685–99
1701–6
1706–7
1708
1709–10
1710–11
1711–12
1712–13
1713–14
1714–15
1715–16
1716–17
1717–18
1718–19
1719–20
1720–21
1721–22
1722–23
1723–24
1724–25
Libraries and archives
Bibliography
Index of Handel's works
Index of persons
General index.

Subject Areas: Individual composers & musicians, specific bands & groups [AVH], Baroque music [c 1600 to c 1750 AVGC3], Music reviews & criticism [AVC]