Bach Handel And Scarlatti

The music of Johann Sebastian Bach, George Frederic Handel and Domenico Scarlatti received more performances, publications and appreciation in Britain between 1750–1850 than in any other country during this era. The compositions of these three seminal baroque composers were heard in the numerous public and private concerts that proliferated at this time; edited, arranged and published for professionals and amateurs; written about by scholars and journalists; and used as teaching pieces and in pedagogical treatises. This Element examines the reception of their music during this dynamic period in British musical history, and places the discussion within the context of the artistic, cultural, economic, and political factors that stimulated such passionate interest in 'ancient music.' It also offers a vivid picture of the aesthetic concerns of those musicians and audiences involved with this repertoire, providing insights that help us better understand our own encounters with music of the past.

1985 celebrated the 300th anniversary of the births of Bach, Handel and Scarlatti. This volume covers all three composers and contains essays from an international team of scholars. Some essays make a contribution towards a better understanding of one or other composer, but at least half of them are concerned with ideas connecting two or even all three of them. The essays are concerned with many aspects of the music - technical, chronological, critical, speculative, theoretical and (importantly) practical - and the distinguished contributors have often endeavoured to ask questions rather than jump to conclusions. Every essay makes fresh points and can open up new avenues for players and (in the broadest sense) students, especially in the present climate of wishing to return to 'authentic conditions of performance'.

Great works include Bach's French Suite No. 5, Handel's Suite No. 5 in E Major, Scarlatti's Sonata in D Minor and Sonata in G Minor, plus works by Telemann, Purcell, Rameau, and others.

Forty-eight titles, including Jesu Joy Of Man's Desiring and Fantasia In C Minor, by Bach; Adagio from The Water Music and Sarabande In D Minor, by Handel; Sonata In A and Sonata In G, by Scarlatti.

An exact contemporary of Bach and Handel, Domenico Scarlatti was already a celebrated composer in Italy by the time he moved to Portugal. Later he traveled to Spain, where he worked as a harpsichord instructor for Princess Maria Barbara. The lessons he wrote for her are among the most imaginative and unpredictable pieces from the whole baroque period. His music translates very well to the guitar, an instrument where his style is completely at home. This set of 30 sonatas transcribed by acclaimed guitarist Fabio Zanon includes new transcriptions of all-time favorites and some rarer ones as well.