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