[+] Jackson, Roland. "Aesthetic Considerations in Regard to Handel's Borrowings." In Alte Musik als ästhetische Gegenwart: Bach, Handel, Schütz; Bericht über den Internationalen Musikwissenschaftlichen Kongress, Stuttgart, 1985, vol. 2, ed. Dietrich Berke and Dorothee Hanemann, 1-11. Kassel: Bärenreiter, 1987.
Examining works of Handel in which he reused earlier pieces with new texts or media reveals that he did not wish to aesthetically improve upon the works from which he borrowed. He sought to adapt the old piece to the new words or instrumentation, not to upgrade it. Yet altering musical detail, such as elucidating or reinforcing harmony (in Agrippina) and enhancing interrelations between elements (in Ode for St. Cecilia's Day), did often result in aesthetic improvement.
Works: Handel: Alexander Balus, "Fair virtue shall charm me" (2), Rinaldo, "Lascia ch'io pianga" (3), Saul, "In sweetest harmony" (3), Agrippina, "E un foco" (4-5), Laudate pueri Dominum, 1707 (5), The Triumph of Time, "Sharp thorns despising" (6), Ode for St. Cecilia's Day (7-10).
Sources: Handel: Apollo e Dafne, "Deh, lascia addolcire" (2), Il Tronfo del Tempo, "Lascia la spina cogl la rosa" (3), Imeneo, "Pieno il core" (3), Arresta il passo, "E un foco" (4-5), Laudate pueri Dominum, ca. 1706 (5), Terpsicore, "Hai tanto" (6); Gottlieb Muffat: Componimenti Musicali per il Cembalo (7-10).
Index Classifications: 1700s
Contributed by: Tamara Balter
