V.

HANDEL IN ENGLAND

Little Handel was joyful indeed when he returned to Halle from the Duke's castle. He was almost bewildered

by his unexpected good fortune. Now began a very happy period of his life. He studied hard, for besides working on his beloved music he had to go to school like any other boy. His father never gave up the hope that George would finally become a lawyer.

Later the young man even entered the University and began the study of law. But meanwhile he was receiving excellent musical training.

When he was twenty-one years old he visited Italy. He remained in that country for three years and became well known as a musician. On his return from Italy he entered the service of George, the Elector of Hanover.

Hanover was a small German state. The Elector's little court probably seemed dull and tiresome to Handel, so he got leave of absence to visit England. The English received the great composer with high honors. His operas were very popular, and Queen Anne gave him a pension.

Naturally the Elector of Hanover was offended when his chief musician deserted him to enter the service of another sovereign. The situation soon became awkward for Handel, for Queen Anne died and the Elector of Hanover succeeded to the throne of England as George I.

King George was determined not to forgive his runaway musician. But it seemed as if Handel were in the very air of England. The King heard people singing Handel's music in the streets. The band in the palace yard played Handel's music. Handel's operas were given at the opera house. His name appeared everywhere, in music books, programs, and newspapers.

One day the King went down the river in his state barge. A boat followed him, and on it was a band of musicians. They were playing some new and delightful music.

Handel was the only man in England who could have written that beautiful music, and the King knew it. The unusual concert pleased him. He asked for the composer. Handel gladly came to the state barge and received the King's forgiveness.

The people of London rejoiced when they heard that Handel and the King were friends once more. Many boats filled with sight-seers came down the stream to meet the royal barge. The houses on both sides of the river were brilliantly lighted. Cannons fired salutes until after nightfall.

After this, Handel lived in England and became an English citizen. He spent much of his time trying to introduce good opera into England. Jealous singers and rival musicians gave him a great deal of trouble. He was

a stern, strong-willed, courageous man, and easily angered. And yet he always made warm friends, who helped and encouraged him.

It is sad to think that in his old age Handel, like Bach, became blind. But instead of growing cross and bitter and impatient, he grew gentle and quiet. He was more than ever anxious to help poor and suffering people. Often at night he drove home after one of his performances in a coach almost filled with bags of gold and silver. But the next morning he usually gave those bags to the Society for Poor Musicians or to the Foundling Hospital or some other charity.

Although Bach and Handel lived at the same time they never met. Their lives were very different. Handel was brilliantly successful. He traveled in many lands and was the friend of many distinguished people. Bach lived quietly in Germany and was not much known outside of his own country. Probably even Handel knew little about him.

Bach, however, had heard of the famous Handel. He realized that Handel was the only musician of those times who was his equal. When Handel was visiting his boyhood home, Bach journeyed to Halle in the hope of making his acquaintance. Unluckily Handel happened to leave Halle just before Bach arrived.

It is impossible to say which of the two wonderful musicians was the greater. When we compare the stories

of their lives, we see that both were patient and industrious, both were men of strong character, and both loved music ardently. In spite of disappointment, poverty, and suffering, they were always faithful to their art.

MUSIC AND POETRY

"A Song for St. Cecilia's Day" was written by a great English poet named John Dryden, in honor of Cecilia, the patron saint of music. According to the legend, St. Cecilia invented the organ.

The loud,

You will notice how skillfully the music of various instruments is suggested in this poem by the sound of the words and by the rhythm of the verses. startling call of the trumpet, the hurrying beat of the drum, the sighing of flutes, and the rippling notes of the lute, the piercing sweetness of violins, and the broad, noble tones of the organ are all represented in turn. As the hymn is written in honor of St. Cecilia, especial praise. is given to her favorite instrument, the organ.

A SONG FOR ST. CECILIA'S DAY, 1687
What passion cannot Music raise and quell?
When Jubal struck the chorded shell,
His listening brethren stood around,
And, wondering, on their faces fell

To worship that celestial sound:

Less than a God they thought there could not dwell