Composer of the Week - George Frideric Handel (1685-1759) - Episode 5

Donald Macleod explores John Mainwaring's 1760 biography of Handel, focusing on a golden decade of enduring oratorios that would seal his reputation, and gaining a rare insight into the composer's elusive personality. Part of Radio 3's Composers of the Year 2009 season. Infernal spirits (Saul) Paul Agnew (tenor) Gabrieli Players Paul McCreesh (director) Archiv 4745102, CD 3, track 2 All we like sheep (Messiah) Gabrieli Consort and Players Paul McCreesh (director) Archiv 4534642, CD1, track 24 Organ concerto No 4 in F Matthew Halls (organ) Sonnerie Monica Huggett (director) Avie, AV2055 tracks 1-4 Judas Maccabeus (End of Act 3) Lisa Saffer (soprano) Patricia Spence (mezzo-soprano) David Thomas (bass) UC Berkeley Chamber Chorus Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra Nicholas McGegan (director) Harmonia Mundi, HMU90707778 CD2 tracks 21-23 Music for the Royal Fireworks Boston Baroque Martin Pearlman (director) Telarc CD80594, tracks 1-5.