Commemoration of Handel and Haydn

[dulcinea]

2009 will be the 250th anniversary of the death of Handel, and the 200th anniversary of the death of Haydn. Would you like to buy commemorative editions of their complete works?

[ch1525]

I'm all about owning the complete works of composers!!!

[jbuck919]

I'm not sure you realize quite what you are asking. Scholarly editions of these complete works have been available for many decades and cost a fortune to any music library that intends to have them. The volumes occupy some shelves of book space, and only a relatively few libraries in the world actually own the sets.

Brahms subscribed to the original BWV and the original Handel edition. As each volume arrived, he would immediately read through the Bach. The Handel he would set aside for a while.

[ch1525]

Wait a minute. Are we talking about recordings or scores? I thought we were talking about recordings like the Complete Beethoven Edition by DG or Bach 2000 by Teldec.

[Corlyss_D]

I think Dulcinea is talking about recordings. I might Handel. I wouldn't Haydn. I have almost all of the old editions of Handel operas in score. I have a couple of the NMA out of Barenreiter. Haydn wrote just too much stuff for me to even think about it either in recordings or scores.

[Ralph]

I answered in the affirmative but, of course, such an edition would have to be artistically superior.

Are any such projects planned?

[MaestroDJS]

I think Dulcinea is talking about recordings. I might Handel. I wouldn't Haydn. I have almost all of the old editions of Handel operas in score. I have a couple of the NMA out of Barenreiter. Haydn wrote just too much stuff for me to even think about it either in recordings or scores.

I can understand that, but in my case Haydn is one of those composers that I gladly overdose on. Antal Doráti recorded all those Haydn symphonies, concerti, operas, oratorios etc. in the 1970s. In my reckless youth in high school I went on major Haydn bender, and this became a foundation of my then-new record collection. "Me addicted? I swear, I can give up Haydn whenever I want. Just a few more string quartets ought to do it." Not the sort of thing the typical high school student would buy, but 3 decades later I still have most of those LPs and treasure them. As my record collection got underway back then, I also bought Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms and many other masters of the core repertoire, but for some reason Haydn resonated most with me. Haydn had an almost inexhaustible spring of melody, cheerfulness and vitality. This coupled with his expression, sense of drama, development and sheer originality make his work as a composer second to none. Maybe Mozart said it best: "Nobody can do everything, -- jest and terrify, cause laughter or move profoundly, -- like Joseph Haydn."

Dave

David Stybr, Engineer and Composer: It's Left Brain vs. Right Brain: best 2 falls out of 3
http://members.SibeliusMusic.com/Stybr
String Quintet No. 2 in B Minor (complete) (20:00)
http://www.SibeliusMusic.com/cgi-bin/sh ... reid=53172
I. Variation-Sonata (5:00); II. Andante cantabile (5:00); III. Intermezzo and Anthem (5:00); IV. Finale: Allegro con brio (5:00)

Personal Assistant and Der Webmeister to author Denise Swanson
http://www.DeniseSwanson.com
Murder of a Smart Cookie
Penguin Putnam ~ Signet, New York, NY

[greymouse]

I voted yes; I would consider both since they are such strong composers. I have not purchased any complete sets yet (other than Webern who is cheap), but I would like to when I get more money.

Handel would be more appealing to me since I think he writes inspired music for all ensembles and media. Haydn ... well I have all his "nicknamed" symphonies, and it's great music. I'd like to try his string quartets next.

I don't care much for Lord Nelson Mass or Creation though, so maybe Papa Haydn is less of an option for me.

[RebLem]

I think Dulcinea is talking about recordings. I might Handel. I wouldn't Haydn. I have almost all of the old editions of Handel operas in score. I have a couple of the NMA out of Barenreiter. Haydn wrote just too much stuff for me to even think about it either in recordings or scores.

Assuming she is talking about recordings, I might with Haydn, but not with Handel. However, the word "commemorative" makes me a little leery. Usually, that means something with fancy bindings and all kinds of deluxe packaging features that have absolutely nothing to do with the quality of the recorded sound, and cost about 3 times as much as a decent edition with decent liner notes needs to. If that's what you're talking about, no thanks.