Handel's Muse: Patterns of Creation in his Oratorios and Musical Dramas, 1743-1751

by David Ross Hurley

Overview

This book represents the most thorough study to date of Handel's compositional procedures in his English oratorios and musical dramas. Exploring the composer's sketches and autograph scores, it offers fresh insights into the creative mind of one of the leading figures in Baroque music.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780198163961
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	04/19/2001
Series:	Oxford Monographs on Music
Pages:	310
Product dimensions:	9.10(w) x 6.10(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

David Ross Hurley is Assistant Professor of Music at Pittsburg State University

Table of Contents

AcknowledgementsIntroductionWriting the ScoreThe Process of Creation: Forethought and SpontaneityThe Quest for Melodic DiversityHandel as Harmonic Blacksmith: Changes in Tonal StructureTexture as FormThe Rough Places Made Plain: Closure vs. ContinuityTexts, Musical Form, and Dramatic ImpactMusical Imagery as DramaSingers and the Creative ProcessConclusionsBibliographyIndex of Handel's CompositionsGeneral Index

Editorial Reviews

"Hurley's book is a timely addition to the Handel literature."—Notes

From the Publisher