Listening To Handel: An Owner's Manual

Unlocking the Masters #30

by David Hurwitz

Of all the biggest-name composers, Handel probably wrote the most truly great music that no one knows about. This book takes the curious listener through his entire output, from his earliest works in Italy, through his more than 40 operas, and including the famous English oratorios on which his reputation largely rests. Along the way it examines his orchestral music, the pieces he wrote for England's lavish royal ceremonies, and his surprisingly limited production of sacred music. Just as important, the book surveys and recommends recordings of all of the music discussed, so that listeners can acquire a music collection of whatever depth suits them best, while the included CD features top-notch recordings from the Harmonia Mundi label of a wide range of Handel's music in all of the major media in which he worked, both vocal and instrumental. Few composers cared more than Handel about pleasing his listeners and creating a body of work that was both entertaining and fun. It's time to blow away the Victorian cobwebs that have dogged his reputation, and discover just how much there is to enjoy.

188 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2019

About the author

David Hurwitz (born 29 August 1961) is an American music critic and author who specializes in classical music.

Based in New York, he is the founder and executive editor of ClassicsToday.com and frequently reviews recordings there. Hurwitz has published numerous books, primarily guides on specific composers for the Amadeus Press "Unlocking the Masters" series, namely, Mahler, Mozart, Dvořák, Haydn, Shostakovich, Sibelius, Bernstein, Strauss, C. P. E. Bach and Handel. Other publications include an introduction to classical music, two articles on the 19th-century use of vibrato as well as surveys on the symphonies of Beethoven (the 5th and 7th) and Brahms (all four). He was the chairman for the Cannes Classical Awards while it existed from 1994 to 2010.

In 2020 Hurwitz launched a YouTube channel on which he regularly posts video reviews and discographical surveys.