Handel and the Crown

Donald Macleod explores Handel’s crucial relationship with the
British monarchy, and how he and the Georgian Kings helped forge
a new sense of British culture and identity.


What could be more quintessentially British than a rousing chorus
of Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus? Or his anthem Zadok the Priest,
which has been performed at every British coronation since 1727?
Yet, though the composer became was a naturalised British
subject, he was born in Germany and kept his German accent all of
his life. The same was true of the two Kings Handel served,
George I and George II. This week, as we head towards a royal
jubilee weekend, Donald Macleod explores Handel’s crucial
relationship with the British monarchy, and how he and the
Georgian Kings helped forge a new sense of British culture and
identity.


Music Featured:


Messiah: Hallelujah Chorus Agrippina, Act 2: "Pensieri, voi mi
tormentate" Handel: Concerto Grosso in B flat, Op 3 No 1 Rinaldo,
Act 1: “Cara Sposa” ‘Utrecht’ Jubilate Te Deum in D, ‘Queen
Caroline’ (Mvts 1 & 2) Water Music (excerpt) Radamisto, Act
2: “Ombra caro di mia sposa” I will magnify thee Overture to
Admeto Riccardo primo, re d’Inghilterra, Act 2 ‘T’amo si’ My
Heart is Inditing Ariodante Act III: ‘Dopo Notte’ and Finale
Zadok the Priest Funeral Anthem for Queen Caroline: I.
Introduction, II. The Ways of Zion do Morn Messiah: ‘Every valley
shall be exalted’ and No 4 ‘And the glory of the Lord shall be
revealed’ Israel in Egypt: (extracts from Parts II and III)
Concerto Grosso No 12 in B minor ‘Dettingen’ Te Deum: ‘Vouchsafe,
O Lord, to keep us this day’ Occasional Oratorio: Overture Handel
Organ Concerto Op 4 No 1: II. Allegro Judas Maccabaeus, Part 2:
‘See! The Conquering Hero Comes’, ‘Sing Unto God’ and ‘O Lovely
Peace’ Music for the Royal Fireworks Messiah: Hallelujah Chorus


Presented by Donald Macleod Produced by Chris Taylor


For full track listings, including artist and recording details,
and to listen to the pieces featured in full (for 30 days after
broadcast) head to the series page for Handel and the Crown
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0017m2m


And you can delve into the A-Z of all the composers we’ve
featured on Composer of the Week here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3cjHdZlXwL7W41XGB77X3S0/composers-a-to-z