HANDEL: The Man and His Music

by Jonathan Keatea ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 12, 1985

In lively prose, Keates paints an impressively detailed picture of the 18th century musical world in which Handel lived, replete with divas, castratis, royal British patrons, inadequate librettists and jealous rivals who peopled his career. But this Baroque giant remains a fleshless ghost moving through the rich tapestry of his world, his personality obscured by the details of dozens of stagings, cast squabbles, parades of stars and unnecessary accounts of every major libretto plot. It is only through the author's offhand comments that we learn that this German-born composer (born in 1685) was a lifelong bachelor who possessed a dry wit and an ""explosive temper""; who was viewed as a volatile eccentric with a defensive ego and a stubborn independence in an era of omnipotent patronage; who eventually lost his sight and spent most of his 74 years as a British citizen. Generally successful in his lifetime, Handel has been overshadowed by J.S. Bach, and afflicted, Keates asserts, with generations of undeserved neglect. Of his remarkably prolific output, only oratorios such as the ""Messiah,"" a few operas including ""Giulio Caesare"" and instrumental pieces such as the ""Water Music"" and ""Fireworks Music"" enjoy a place in the international repertoire. Though Keates grudgingly admits to a few musical weaknesses, he peevishly blames bad librettos and takes bitchy swipes at today's ""canary fancying operagoers"" whose ""limited modern sensibilities"" fail to appreciate this ""most eclectic of all the great composers"" and his genius for blending musical idioms with accessibility. A less reproachful, more personal profile would have helped this informative but biased background survey.

Pub Date: Aug. 12, 1985

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: St. Martin's

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 1985

Categories: NONFICTION