Chapter I: Preface

For a proper appreciation of the colossal work of Handel many years of study and a book of some two hundred pages are very insufficient. To treat at all adequately of Handel's life and work needs a whole lifetime in itself, and even the indefatigable and enthusiastic Chrysander, who devoted his life to this subject, has hardly encompassed the task.... I have done what I could; my faults must be excused. This little book does not pretend to be anything more than a very brief sketch of the life and technique of Handel. I hope to study his character, his work, and his times, more in detail in another volume.

ROMAIN ROLLAND.

CONTENTS

PAGE

HIS LIFE 1

HIS TECHNIQUE AND WORKS 111

(1) THE OPERAS 122

(2) THE ORATORIOS 134

(3) THE CLAVIER COMPOSITIONS 143

(4) THE CHAMBER MUSIC (SONATAS AND TRIOS) 154

(5) THE ORCHESTRAL WORKS 158

APPENDICES--

LIST OF HANDEL'S WORKS 193

BIBLIOGRAPHY 201

INDEX 204

PLATES

PORTRAIT BY THORNHILL _frontispiece_

GEORGE I AND HANDEL'S WATER MUSIC _to face page_ 69

HANDEL'S MONUMENT IN WESTMINSTER ABBEY 107

HANDEL DIRECTING AN ORATORIO 165