Handel and the Baroque Era:

Handel and the Baroque Era: Annotated Bibliography

Asiado, T. (2007). Felix Mendelssohn's Elijah. Suite101.

Asiado (2007) examines the influence of Elijah, which the article identifies as the most important work by Felix Mendelssohn. The article reviews the oratorio and provides some explanation of its place in history, identifying it closely with both Handel's Messiah and Haydn's Creation. This serves to contextualize the three composers as producing collectively the most important works in the oratorio category.

Burrows, D. (1991). Handel, Messiah. Cambridge University Press.

The Burrows (1991) text forms an exhaustive account of Handel's highly regarded oratorio, Messiah. This work will form a significant basis for the research to be conducted. Therefore, a listening of this oratorio will be accompanied by this volume, which reviews the process of creating the work, its initially lukewarm reception, its eventual rise to popularity and the variously unique qualities of the work that have distinguished it and rendered it so influential.

Dent, E.J. (2007). Handel. BiblioBazaar.

Dent's (2007) text is an important primary source for the research, not just providing a detailed discussion on Handel's life and work but also contextualizing this within the larger baroque period. By framing Handel according to his place in history, the text effectively demonstrates the composer's influence on the classical and renaissance periods thereafter.

Juliano, S. (2009). Handel's "Acis und Galatea "arr. By Felix Mendelssohn, conducted by Nicholas McGegan with Festspiel Orchester and NDR Chor on Kultur CD. Wonders in the Dark.

Felix Mendelssohn's works in recognition of Handel's influence emerges as a recurrent theme of our work. Indeed, the article by Juliano examines Mendelssohn's arrangement of Handel's "Acis und Galatea," also connecting Mozart to the piece. That the latter conducted his own arrangement of the work prior to Mendelssohn denotes the breadth of influence and admiration commanded by the late composer.

King-Lenzmeier, A.H. (2001). Hildegard of Bingen. Liturgical Press.

In many ways, the biography of Hildegard of Bingen is a compelling starting point for the discussion on baroque music. This is a novel perspective because the German nun and convent prioress lived roughly 600 years prior to the peak of the baroque period. However, she is sometimes recognized as the first known and biographied composer, recognized for the religious musical performances staged at her own convent. As the research will explore through consideration of the King-Lenzimeier (2001), these works may have a legitimate claim as the first oratorios ever composed.

Music Academy Online (MAO). (2008). Franz Joseph Haydn. Music Academy Online.com.