Handel Suggestions

[Don]

Well Op6 is a significantly more substantial collection that the Brandenburgs, and I cannot see how you can regard Bach's usual rather tuneless contrapuntal approach to be preferable to Handel's endless melodic invention, but each to his own...  0:)

There you go again, feeling it necessary to dump on a Bach body of works to enhance Handel's Op. 6.  Why can't you simply enjoy both?

[Don]

1 - Spophie Yates 3 volumes on Chandos label. Excellent, apart from a rather tired rendition of the famous Chaconne

I find there are two problems with the Yates recordings.  One is that you have to buy three discs to get all of the Eight Great Keyboard Suites.  The other is that Yates is rather superficial in the slower/more poignant movements.  To give her credit where it's due, she can't be beat in the fast movements - very propulsive and exciting.

[Josquin des Prez]

There you go again, feeling it necessary to dump on a Bach body of works to enhance Handel's Op. 6. 

It's amazing that he still doesn't get it.

[FideLeo]

Why can't you simply enjoy both?

Because he doesn't want to be political (ie. politics of tastes in music) correct? 

[Rod Corkin]

There you go again, feeling it necessary to dump on a Bach body of works to enhance Handel's Op. 6.  Why can't you simply enjoy both?

I'm afraid you guys don't get it. The other writer said that Op6 was not a masterpiece. So I asked him what is his idea of a masterpiece with regard to this kind of music. His response was the Brandenburg Concertos!!

This response by default placed Bach's music above Handel's - and of course nobody complains about that. But when Rod reveals the altogether more accurate picture to the contrary, well that's just not cricket is it!?

[The new erato]

This response by default placed Bach's music above Handel's

No. It places the Brandenburgs above the op 6 set. Just as me stating that I like a Chopin prelude better than Wellingtons Sieg says nothing about my opinions on Chopin vs Beethoven.

Why can't you read what's written instead of indulging in your fantasy about everybody being out to get you and poor Handel?

[Josquin des Prez]

This response by default placed Bach's music above Handel's

No, it merely means DavidW likes the Brandenburgs more then the Opus 6. Imagine that!

Actually, his preference validates what i've been saying all along. Bach was much more forward looking then Handel both in terms of form and development, which means that those steeped in the romantic tradition will inevitably find Handel much too archaic for their tastes.

[Rod Corkin]

No. It places the Brandenburgs above the op 6 set. Just as me stating that I like a Chopin prelude better than Wellingtons Sieg says nothing about my opinions on Chopin vs Beethoven.

That what I meant, the Brandenburgs above Op6!! Something that to any unbiased person is clearly not demonstrated by the music.

Frankly I prefer Wellington's Victory, but the Brandenburgs and Op6 are both sets of baroque concertos so they are fit for direct comparison.

Why can't you read what's written instead of indulging in your phantasy about everybody being out to get you and poor Handel?

The fantasy is all in your head. But why aren't you saying the same to the other guy? 

[(poco) Sforzando]

Actually, I prefer Bach to Handel, I think Bach is superior to Handel, and I don't make any bones about it or care who thinks otherwise. 

[Josquin des Prez]

Handel over Bach!! Something that to any unbiased person is clearly not demonstrated by the music.

Fixed.

[Rod Corkin]

Actually, I prefer Bach to Handel, I think Bach is superior to Handel, and I don't make any bones about it or care who thinks otherwise. 

You'll get no trouble sf, those thoughts are allowed without question at GMG.

[Josquin des Prez]

Frankly I prefer Wellington's Victory

You, sir, are clinically insane.

[(poco) Sforzando]

You, sir, are clinically insane.

Should we hook him up with Teresa?

[The new erato]

I adore Beethoven but Wellingtons Victory is a piece of cheap, moneyspinning trash.

[bhodges]

I adore Beethoven but Wellingtons Victory is a piece of cheap, moneyspinning trash.

I may have to make that my signature. 

--Bruce

[(poco) Sforzando]

I adore Beethoven but Wellingtons Victory is a piece of cheap, moneyspinning trash.

Yes, but it uses percussion.

[Rod Corkin]

I may have to make that my signature. 

--Bruce

Enough of this Tomfoolery.

This is supposed to be a Handel topic so those with fascistic tendencies please leave the room. To those few who are still left here, if you want to hear Concerto Grosso music at it's very best, may I direct them to Hogwood's recording of Handel's Op6. You won't be disappointed.

[The new erato]

Well, to get back on topic, op 6 is a beatiful set, and comparisons to the Brandenburgs only underline the significant differences in approach to composition between these two masters. Anybody avoiding one of the two to the exclusive preference of the other robs himself of some very great music.

Owning two complete Bach cantata cycles, as well as around 25 complete Handel operas (and planning to increase that), I take my own medicine.  Have played 4 Gardiner cantata CDs as well as Solomon, Tolomeo and Radamisto during the last month.

[BachQ]

Why is Op 6 on your list?  That hardly falls into the realm of great masterpiece.

(here we go)

[Dancing Divertimentian]

The fantasy is all in your head. But why aren't you saying the same to the other guy? 

Rod, until you come up with something concrete we have no other choice but to believe it's fantasy. Give us some answers and then we'll see. You can start with the questions I posed to you awhile back:

Why in the world would anybody be even remotely interested in keeping a classical composer "unduly in the shadows"??

And just what is the crime for which Handel is guilty? Why is the 'establishment' picking on him so much?