Mozart’s Take on Händel
Händel remained enormously popular long after his death, and Mozart was among his admirers. His music was still widely performed, while his keyboard suites were regularly used as study material. Around 1782, Mozart even tried his hand at composing a suite in Händel’s style, though he eventually abandoned the project.
Later, through the patronage of Baron van Swieten, Mozart became involved in adapting Händel’s music for Viennese audiences. The orchestras of the time favoured a fuller, richer sound than those of the Baroque era, prompting Mozart to rework four major compositions, including Acis and Galatea and Messiah.
In this programme, we hear excerpts from three of these works, focusing on the changes Mozart made. Some of his choices altered Händel’s original musical intentions, but they reflected the tastes of Mozart’s own time. His arrangements remained popular for generations, offering a fascinating glimpse into how musical traditions evolve.
Playlist
1. Georg Friedrich Händel / Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Messiah, HWV 56 / KV 272
– ouverture
– O du, die Wonne verkündet (O thou, that tellest)
– Das Volk, das im Dunkeln wandelt (The people that walked in darkness)
– Ich weiß, dass mein Erlöser lebet (I know that my redeemer liveth)
– Sie schallt, die Posaun (The trumpet shall sound)
– Halleluja! (Hallelujah!)
2. G.F. Händel, W.A. Mozart: Ode for Saint Cecilia’s Day, HWV 76 / KV 592
– ouverture
3. G.F. Händel, W.A. Mozart: Acis and Galatea, HWV 49a / KV 566
– Wohlan! so nütz’ ich meine Göttermacht (‘Tis done – thus I exert pow’r divine)
– Herz, du Sitz des verliebten Grams (Heart, the seat of soft delight)
– Galatea, klag nicht meht (Galatea, dry thy tears)
4. W.A. Mozart, Suite in C, KV 399
5. W.A. Mozart, Eine kleine Gigue in G, KV 574
Performers
Edith Maris (soprano), Birgit Finnilä (alto), Peter Schreier (tenor), Theo Adam (bass). Choir and Orchestra of Austrian Broadcasting (ORF), conducted by Charles Mackerras (1).
Chorus Musicus Köln and Das Neue Orchester, conducted by Christoph Spering (2, 3).
Mechthild Bach (soprano) (3).
Kristian Bezuidenhout (fortepiano) (4, 5)
