The series presents Handel as a contemporary of J.S. Bach who chose a very different path, full of travel and company. After building a reputation in Germany he spent several years in Italy, then made England his permanent home. It credits these years with some of the most exuberant music ever composed and asks whether anyone has missed the “Hallelujah Chorus”.
Handel’s release closed the schedule on 19 April 2011, following the Grieg album. The twelve albums came out between 2 November 2010 and 19 April 2011, typically about two weeks apart.
The aria “Lascia ch’io pianga” from the opera Rinaldo is among the works on the 100-track compilation. Each album in the run focuses on a single composer. See all releases on the albums page or return to the home page.