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George Frideric Handel

Gloria (Handel)

George Frideric Handel's Gloria is a sacred solo cantata, a setting of the Gloria, the liturgical part of the Mass, for soprano and strings. Handel may have composed it in Germany before departing

History#

Gloria (HWV deest, the Latin word meaning “missing”), is a work which was missing from the Handel thematic catalog, but was discovered at the Royal Academy of Music’s library in 2001. Handel may have composed the Gloria, a demanding piece for a coloratura voice, two violins and basso continuo, during his early years in Germany prior to his departure for Italy in 1706 or in Italy in 1707. He divided the liturgical text into eight movements. Later he used parts of it for his compositions Laudate pueri dominum and Utrecht Jubilate. Emma Kirkby, who performed the first recording, released in May 2001, said that “the piece has individuality and charm, good bravura moments, and, more important, some moments of depth, beauty, and poignancy”. The first public performance was on 18 May 2001, sung by soprano Patrizia Kwella with Fiori Musicali and Penelope Rapson as artistic director, at the Hinchingbrooke Performing Arts Centre in Huntingdon. A second performance was given at the International Händel Göttingen Festival on 3 June 2001 by Dominique Labelle with the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra and Nicholas McGegan.

Structure#

Handel divided the text in six movements. # Gloria in excelsis Deo # Et in terra pax # Laudamus te # Domine Deus, Rex coelestis # Qui tollis peccata mundi # Quoniam tu solus sanctus

See also#

  • List of Latin church music by George Frideric Handel
  • Handel’s Gloria / Previously Unknown Composition musicweb-international.com 2001
  • Gloria - Handel in Rome John Ostendorf & Elaine Comparone, liner notes 2006
Composer
George Frideric Handel