³ÉÈËÂÛ̳

I'm very pleased Handel week occurs when it does (geared around the actual anniversary we're marking - the 250th of his death on 14 April 1759). It's terrific, of course, to celebrate Handel's music at Easter time, which marked the culmination of his Lenten oratorio season, which was in turn so strongly associated with the composer's posthumous reputation.

But my reasons for appreciating this choice of dates are entirely selfish, to do with the glorious spring sunshine we're having at present. Last week I spent two long days walking the streets of London, recording a set of ten 'Handel calling cards', at various locations which would have been significant to the composer. These are to be played between the concerts in the EBU (European Broadcasting Union) Handel Day on 19 April, as five-minute vignettes on the composer's life.

One thing that struck me in the process is just how small London was in those days. When Handel moved to (just below , in ) in 1723, it was part of a new building project on the outskirts of the city: it was still possible to shoot game birds at the end of Handel's street! From there, it took us a few minutes to walk to , and only another ten or so to get to the (Burlington House, home of Handel's patron in the 1710s, the Earl of Burlington). Again, from there it was just a few minutes to the , and about ten minutes to ... And so on.

Of course, Handel may not actually have walked very much of this route: as recounted in his , these were perilous places to wander, with the lack of pavements, the open sewers, and the crowds of hawkers and beggars (or worse). But it must also have been exhilarating. Why else would a composer with globetrotting tendencies have chosen to stay?

• Bookmark with:
• |
• |
• |
• |
• - What's this?