Paul Henry Lang in his superb biography of Handel writes that it was reported that there were over 100 singers and instrumentalists performing the Funeral Anthem at Westminster Abbey at the original performance. To me this attests to the fact that not only was Queen Caroline was a beloved monarch, but that the music of Handel drew a wonderful response from performers and listeners alike.
@teacherj Handel had to compose the entire Funeral Anthem for Queen Caroline in 5 days! When she passed away, it was made the ask for Handel for the composition. Five days later it was ready. And it is 43 minutes long.
Thank you for presenting this wonderful piece of Mr. Handel. Who are the performers here? I like this recording better than Gardiner and Cleobury(who uses this as the first movement of Israel in Egypt where the text is altered as "The sons of Israel do mourn.") probably because with the slightly slower tempo, I feel the pathos even stronger. I can see why Handel wanted to have a permanent home for this ode after the Funeral Anthem was performed for Queen Caroline.
at 3:35 we have a confluence of themes "and she is in bitterness" "the ways of Zion do mourn" "and hang down their heads to the ground". "OH........." Wonderful work
The comment below regarding the number of performers shows the foolishness of the authenticity crowd.Handel and Bach were more than aware of the splendor of sound of the pipe organ.Why would they be satisfied with the anemic performances of today's purist crowd.
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Paul Henry Lang in his superb biography of Handel writes that it was reported that there were over 100 singers and instrumentalists performing the Funeral Anthem at Westminster Abbey at the original performance. To me this attests to the fact that not only was Queen Caroline was a beloved monarch, but that the music of Handel drew a wonderful response from performers and listeners alike.
@teacherj Handel had to compose the entire Funeral Anthem for Queen Caroline in 5 days! When she passed away, it was made the ask for Handel for the composition. Five days later it was ready.
And it is 43 minutes long.
Mozart got inspiration here for his requiem`s introito
Thank you for presenting this wonderful piece of Mr. Handel. Who are the performers here? I like this recording better than Gardiner and Cleobury(who uses this as the first movement of Israel in Egypt where the text is altered as "The sons of Israel do mourn.") probably because with the slightly slower tempo, I feel the pathos even stronger. I can see why Handel wanted to have a permanent home for this ode after the Funeral Anthem was performed for Queen Caroline.
at 3:35 we have a confluence of themes "and she is in bitterness" "the ways of Zion do mourn" "and hang down their heads
to the ground". "OH........." Wonderful work
The comment below regarding the number of performers shows the foolishness of the authenticity crowd.Handel and Bach were more than aware of the splendor of sound of the pipe organ.Why would they be satisfied with the anemic performances of today's purist crowd.
@teacherj It´s Gardiner and the Monteverdi Choir and Orquestra.
I bought the vinyl at our college bookstore back in about 1970, and listened to it so many times I wore it out.
lovely piece