The Monmouth Civic Chorus
Dr. Mark Shapiro, Artistic Director
Close to Perfect, Close to Home

Notes on the Program

“Bach is not ‘better’ than Handel for the same kind of reason moonlight is not ‘more beautiful’ than sunlight.” – Comment posted by AQ at www.marginalrevolution.com on Feb 8, 2008

Johann Sebastian Bach and Georg Friederich Handel have a great deal in common: lifespan (1685-1750), nationality (German), musical era (Baroque), compositional output (enormous) and worldwide reputation (enduring). They knew of each other but never met. Once when Handel was visiting nearby, Bach borrowed a horse to go see him, but by the time he got there, Handel had left town. It has been conjectured that Handel was actually trying to avoid Bach out of professional jealousy. In their music and their lives, the two men were polar opposites.

Handel was a man about town who charmed wealthy patrons from Hamburg to Venice to London. His showmanship made his operas and oratorios into theatrical successes, and his gift for melodic sweetness made his tunes into the hit songs of the 18th century. He never married, but had at least one discreet love affair with an Italian lady. A shrewd investor, he left a hefty estate and had a grand funeral in Westminster Abbey, attended by more than 3000 mourners

Bach was a homebody and a misfit. He was a loving father and husband who rarely traveled more than a few miles from home. Most of his music was sacred in purpose and effect, intended to guide his listeners in religious devotion. He was constantly getting into trouble with those in charge at church and government offices, because he would not subject his compositions or his behavior to their dictates. His innovations in musical theory were not adequately appreciated until after his death. He was buried with no gravestone, leaving his impoverished widow to sell his music manuscripts, many of which were lost forever.

--Susan Metz