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Composer of the Week

Music: Classical

Composer of the Week - Brand

An informative guide to composers' lives and their music.

An informative and accessible guide to composers' lives and their music.

Composer of the Week: Georg Frideric Handel (1685-1759)

Composer of the Week: Georg Frideric Handel (1685-1759): Episode 1: 1707

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Georg Frideric Handel (1685-1759)

Episode 1

Episode 1: 1707

1707

BBC Radio 3 - Composer of the Week, Georg Frideric Handel (1685-1759), 1707

Donald Macleod explores the year 1707 in the life of Handel.

Donald Macleod explores the year 1707 in the life of Handel, as the largely unknown young composer arrives in Rome.

In this week's celebration of the life and work of George Frideric Handel, presenter Donald Macleod selects five key "years in the life" of the composer, taking us from his very earliest successes as a court composer in Rome in 1707, through his classic "Chandos" anthems of 1717, operatic politicking and prima donnas in 1725, the freezing winter of 1739, and finally - Handel's great musical jamboree for George II, the Music For The Royal Fireworks of 1749.

Rarities include excerpts from his pasticcio "Jupiter in Argos" (given its world premiere recording only in 2006); Handel's late incidental music to Tobias Smollett's play "Alceste", and that most unusual of things: a rare and beautiful set of arias setting poetry in Handel's native German language, sung ravishingly by Dame Emma Kirkby.

Complementing this week's Proms performance of the complete Water Music and Music For The Royal Fireworks by Hervé Niquet and Le Concert Spirituel on Wednesday 18th July, Donald Macleod also introduces two selections of Sir Hamilton Harty and Leopld Stokowski's arrangements of these works for full symphony orchestra. Once hugely popular, the muscular sound of a full orchestra playing Handel has more recently fallen completely out of favour - this week gives listeners a chance to compare two very different takes on a pair of his most popular works.
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In Monday's episode, Donald Macleod explores the year 1707 in the life of Handel, as the largely unknown young composer arrives in Rome.

Live music and the arts: broadcasts more live music than any other radio network. Classical music is its core. Genres include world and new music, jazz, speech and drama.

Donald Macleod explores the music of Handel through five key 'years in the life'.

Donald Macleod explores the music of Handel through five key 'years in the life' of the composer: 1707, 1717, 1725, 1739 and 1749

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Georg Frideric Handel (1685-1759)

Episode 1: 1707

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