February 23 - George Frideric Handel (The Musical Birthday Series, 6th Annual Cycle)

Previous posts for February 23rd are here: George Frideric Handel (2020), John Blow; George Frideric Handel (2021), Handel (2022), (2023), and (2024)

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George Frideric Handel (23 February 1685 – 14 April 1759) was one of the greatest, and still most popular, of Baroque composers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I've Heard That Song Before

In accordance with his practice when writing new works, Handel adapted existing compositions for use in Messiah, in this case drawing on two recently completed Italian duets and one written twenty years previously for several movements.  --- adapted from Wikipedia, s.v. "Messiah (Handel)"

(1)

This masterpiece, written in haste,

Has movements whose substance is based

On stuff he recast

From his works of the past,

And recycled with excellent taste.

(2)

Because of the deadline he faced,

He decided to use cut and paste;

He thought it was clever

To ease his endeavor,

And why should good tunes go to waste?

 

 

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