THE STATION ORCHESTRA, directed by FREDERICK BROWN

(1685-1750)
Relayed to London and Daventry George Frederick Handel
1685-1759 HANDEL wins our admiration both as man and as musician. From the days when, a little fellow of six, he used to creep up to a garret in the dead of night to practise, because his practically minded doctor-father didn't approve of his working at music, to the latter years of his life when. though blind, he worked bravely on, there was never a time when his bold spirit did not uphold him. We in this country had plenty of opportunity of getting to know his qualities, for he lived with us nearly fifty years, making his way by sheer merit. True, he enjoyed the favour of some highly-placed folk, but against that advantage wo have to set the enmity he incurred from others. Handel had the King on his side. but the Prince of Wales joined the opposition, who favoured the Opera composer Buononeini. Each party sot up an Opera House, both failed, and Handel, at fifty-two, was bankrupt. The failure of his operatic schemes had the happy effect of turning his mind to Oratorio—with what wonderful results we all know (though by no means completely, for a great deal of his work in this form is too rarely heard). His activity was amazing. He wrote over forty Operas and other dramatic works, with some thirty-four Oratorios, Cantatas, Odes, and so forth, besides a fair amount of Chamber Music. Amid the multitude of his works there are. of course, movements in which he falls below his best ; but through all the changes and chances of the years, the tenderness and nobility of his finest work has held a firm place in the affections of everyone who has a heart to feel, and a spirit to be uplifted. TONIGHT'S PROGRAMME