On the occasion of the 250th anniversary of the death of George Frideric Händel, leading interpreters of Baroque music presented an opulent program dedicated to the work of the great composer. The Händel Celebration concert took place in 2009 at the Marktkirche in Halle/Germany.

Händel Celebration concert

Performers

  • Ulrike Fulde: Soprano
  • Albrecht Sack: Tenor
  • Felix Plock: Bass
  • The English Concert
  • Händelfestspielorchester Halle
  • Mdr Rundfunkchor
  • Hallenser Madrigalisten
  • Händelfestspielchor
  • Chor Der Oper Halle
  • Howard Arman: Conductor

The Handel Celebration Concert from 2009 had a very special relevance to the life of George Frideric Handel (1685 – 1759). Born in Halle in 1685, Handel left his hometown at a young age, worked in Hamburg and Hanover, traveled around the musical capitals of Italy, and finally went to London, where he died in 1759 and was buried with high honor in Westminster Abbey.

Twenty-five years after his death, a memorial concert was held in this famous London church to pay posthumous tribute to him. The program for this concert from 1784 was played again on the 250th anniversary of Handel’s death. This time, the venue was the Marktkirche in Halle, where Handel had been baptized and where he had received organ lessons.

Along with Johann Sebastian Bach, Handel is considered the most important composer of the late Baroque period. His works, especially his numerous large-scale operas and oratorios, not only reflect the musical style of his time but are of far-reaching appeal and continue to captivate music lovers all over the world.

Handel Celebration Concert Program

With the starting times in the video:

  1. (00:00) Introduction
  2. (00:58) ‘Zadok the Priest’. Coronation Anthem for George II (HWV 258)
  3. Sinfonia form the Oratorio ‘Esther’ (HWV 50a)
    1. (06:59) Andante
    2. (08:54) Larghetto
    3. (11:40) Allegro
  4. Te Deum for the victory of Dettingen (HWV 283)
    1. (14:38) We praise Thee, oh God
    2. (18:23) All the earth doth worship Thee
    3. (20:48) To Thee all angels cry aloud
    4. (23:00) To Thee Cherubim and Seraphim
    5. (26:06) The glorious company of the Apostles
    6. (28:22) Thou art the King of Glory
    7. (31:00) When Thou tookest upon Thee to deliver man
    8. (34:22) When Thou hadst overcome the sharpness of death
    9. (36:13) Thou sittest at the right hand of God
    10. (39:15) Sinfonia
    11. (39:45) We therefore pray Thee
    12. (40:48) Make them to be number’d with Thy Saints
    13. (42:05) Day by day we magnify Thee
    14. (45:06) Vouchsafe, oh Lord, to keep us this day without sin
    15. (46:43) Oh Lord, in Thee have I trusted
  5. From the Oratorio ‘Saul’ (HWV 53)
    1. (50:56) Sinfonia: Allegro
    2. (55:20) March
  6. From ‘The ways of Zion do mourn’. Funeral Anthem for Queen Caroline (HWV 264)
    1. (58:49) When the ear heard her
    2. (1:02:20) She deliver’d the poor that cried
    3. (1:07:58) Their bodies are buried in peace
  7. From the Jubilate for the Peace of Utrecht (HWV 279)
    1. (1:13:28) Glory be to the Father
    2. (1:14:50) As it was in the beginning
  8. ‘O sing unto the Lord a new song’. Chandos Anthem (HWV 249b)
    1. (1:19:14) Symphony
    2. (1:22:05) O sing unto the Lord a new song
    3. (1:24:35) Declare his honour unto the heathen
    4. (1:27:09) The waves of the sea
    5. (1:28:49) O worship the Lord
    6. (1:31:17) Let the whole earth stand in awe
    7. (1:32:00) Let the heav’ns rejoice
  9. Two Choruses from the Oratorio ‘Israel in Egypt’ (HWV 54)
    1. (1:34:18) The Lord shall reign for ever and ever
    2. (1:36:15) Sing ye to the Lord

Sources

M. Özgür Nevres

Published by M. Özgür Nevres

I am Özgür Nevres, a software engineer, a former road racing cyclist, and also an amateur musician. I opened andantemoderato.com to share my favorite music. I also take care of stray cats & dogs. This website's all income goes directly to our furry friends. Please consider supporting me on Patreon, so I can help more animals!

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