A Classic Encounter With Handel
You know how sometimes you wish you could hit a “refresh” button and it would work on your body, mind and soul like it works on your computer? Well, for me, listening to music by George Frideric Handel hits my refresh button. The latest Classic Encounter with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra featured a program of nothing but music by this amazing composer. Handel was born in Germany in 1685 but did a lot of his work in England. In fact, one of his most famous works, Water Music, was commissioned by King George I of England. The King knew how to throw a party, and in 1717 he planned to have three barges floating down the River Thames in London…two barges for the King and his friends, and one barge for the musicians. Party on, dude. So Handel assembled fifty musicians on the barge to play his new work. It was an immediate hit.
In fact, the King liked it so much, he requested they play it again. The whole piece lasts about an hour, so that’s a big request. But he was the King. Fine. They played it again. But the King wanted to hear it again. You don’t say no to the king. The phrase “Off with their heads” wasn’t just a figure of speech in London. So after playing it three times, the musicians were exhausted. There were no unions then. Don’t have much film from 1717, but this will give you an idea of how it came off.
You may have noticed the hunting horns with a major part in the piece. That was a major innovation, and being a french horn player in my youth, I found that fascinating. More on that later.
Water Music has been used in lots of films (including Dead Poets Society and Amazon Women On The Moon), commercials, and theme songs, so even though you might think you don’t know the piece, parts of it may be familiar. For example…
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Katie A. Jones
November 16, 2011 1:02 pm
Once again, Terri, you’ve composed a masterpiece that both delights & educates! Great fun here, from powdered wigs to Holy Ghost dancing to Beatles…of course!! (Wonder what Handel would have thought of “I’m Down” at Shea???) Loved the way you progressed from Water Music with period instruments all the way through to Arcade Fire videos in a seamless march through time to illustrate the continuum of music. And…was really getting into your illustrations of French Horn evolution & burst out laughing upon seeing your particularly illuminating instrument at the end. What a terrific bounty you offer here!!
Anyway…I, too, love Handel’s intricate details that both soothe & compel the spirit to dance with joyful abandon, and recharge the soul. (Handel & Bach are my faves there.) Classic Encounters is.a magnificent program that illustrates that music has been rockin’ for a very long time.
Thanks for another thoughtful, informative blog. Hope to see you at St. Clement for what surely will be a rockin’ “Messiah”"!! BTW…Warm wishes as we launch into this Holiday season!!
— Katie Jones, Aurora, IL (BackbeatChicago@gmail.com)
Jeff
November 17, 2011 8:58 am
Love It!
BILL
December 6, 2011 10:16 pm
I wonder if you’ve ever had THIS Classic Encounter.
Jazz composer Duke Ellington did a jazz rendition of Tchaikovsky’s ‘Nutcracker Suite’.
I’m wondering if you ever got a chance to check it out.
I remember in the early days of ‘XRT, when you played TWO FEATURED ARTISTS EVERY DAY, you would also play a classical composer works (Ex: you once featured Jeff Beck along with J.S. Bach).
I myself have been looking for this Ellington work, but my best chance to find it might be at
JAZZ RECORD MART, or any of the other stores that would sell jazz albums.
If you’ve ever heard it let me know.
Katie A. Jones
December 7, 2011 6:00 pm
@Bill – Ellington’s “Nutcracker” swings like crazy!! Your post reminded me of a gem I’d long forgotten…thanks for the jolt!! Since you mentioned that you were looking for the recording, I got curious about its availability, too. Sounds like an interesting Jazz Record Mart journey, especially if you’re seeking vinyl. Perhaps Terri will come up with more or better resources & feedback, but here’s what I found with a quick search. Hope it helps.
VIDEO, ELLINGTON & ORCHESTRA PERFORMING NUTCRACKER EXCEPTS ON TV (w/Duke commentary):
AUDIO – MP3 DOWNLOAD ONLY – ELLINGTON’S ORIGINAL NUTCRACKER ALBUM:
http://www.amazon.com/The-Nutcracker-Suite/dp/B004GY5E0W/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1323299032&sr=8-4.
AUDIO CD – ELLINGTON DOING THREE SUITES, NUTCRACKER EXCERPTS INCLUDED:
Amazon.com: Three Suites: Duke Ellington: Music
BOOK & AUDIO CD – Illustrated book by Anna Harwell & Don Tate aimed primarily at the youth market tells the story of Ellington’s Nutcracker. Includes a CD of Ellington & Strayhorn’s arrangement, but I could not confirm if it was Ellington’s original recording:
http://www.amazon.com/Ellingtons-Nutcracker-Suite-Harwell-Celenza/dp/1570917000/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1323299032&sr=8-3.
Amazon also lists vinyl…at steep prices.
Happy hunting & Happy Holidays from a fellow music lover!!
— Katie A. Jones, Aurora, IL (BackbeatChicago@gmail.com)
Katie A. Jones
December 7, 2011 6:26 pm
@Bill – Response #2 – In my 1st response as originally typed, links for resources were provided as URL addresses, but converted to “Buy From Amazon” images when actually posted. This isn’t a WXRT thing, but a technicality within the blog hosting site & translation of HTML internet language. I doubt WXRT strives to trumpet one resource over another, & I don’t either. Your recording is probably available through multiple outlets. If you still need URL links, you are welcome to e-mail me directly.
— Katie A. Jones, Aurora, IL (BackbeatChicago@gmail.com)