Gloria
for soprano with violins 1 & 2 and continuo
Program Notes by Martin Pearlman
In March 2001, the musicologist Hans Joachim Marx announced the discovery of a Gloria by Handel. The manuscript, which had long been in the library of the Royal Academy of Music in London, bears no composer's name, although a previous owner noted on one of the violin parts that the work was by Handel. Even though it was found in a collection of Handel arias, the attribution was not taken seriously, until Professor Marx's close study of both the manuscript and the music itself confirmed that, in all likelihood, the piece was indeed by Handel. The Gloria was then given its modern-day premiere later that year.
In this setting of the Gloria section of the mass, the brilliant solo part for soprano is accompanied only by two violin parts and a bass line. It appears to be an early work of Handel, dating from around 1707 during his apprentice years in Italy. Two of his psalm setting from that year borrow music from this Gloria, and its musical style has the light, youthful character of many of his cantatas and liturgical works of that time.
Boston Baroque Performances
Gloria
March 4 & 5, 2011
NEC’s Jordan Hall, Boston, MA
Martin Pearlman, conductor
Soloist:
Mary Wilson, soprano
March 13, 2009
Teatro de la Universidad de Puerto Rico (Casals Festival), San Juan, Puerto Rico
Martin Pearlman, conductor
Soloist:
Mary Wilson, soprano
February 28 & March 2, 2002
NEC’s Jordan Hall, Boston, MA
Martin Pearlman, conductor
Soloist:
Sharon Baker, soprano