Composer Of The Week

This week, Donald Macleod looks at Handel’s life and work during an important decade of his life. The 1730s saw Handel create some of his best-loved works, but also saw him fall out with singers and patrons in London, endure a stroke and attendant poor mental health, and mourn the death of one of his chief supporters, Queen Caroline.Music Featured:Esther HWV 50b (revised version 1732) (excerpts) Trio Sonata in C Major, HWV 403 Acis and Galatea, HWV 49 (Act I: Aria: Hush, ye pretty warbling quire) Concerto Grosso in D major Op. 3 No. 6 HWV 317 Orlando, HWV 31: Act II ScXI (Ah! Stigie larve; Vaghe pupille) Arianna in Creta HWV 32 (Act 2, Scene 12: Aria-Andante “Son qual stanco pellegrino”) Concerto Grosso in G Major, Op. 6, No. 1, HWV 319 Ariodante HWV 33 (excerpts) Deborah HWV 51 (excerpts) Alcina HWV 34 (Ombre Pallide) Alexander’s Feast HWV 75 (Part 1: Air and Chorus: Bacchus, ever fair and young; The many rend the skies (Chorus) Harp Concerto in B-flat major, Op. 4 No. 6 HWV 294 Organ Concerto Opus 4 No.