While we're on the subject (one of my favorites), could people suggest
their favorite recordings of Handel for the harpsichord?
 
Everything I've read suggests that the notations that have come down to
us are nothing like what Handel's audiences would have heard, since he
was such a great improviser.  Obviously, anybody who listens to jazz
knows all about that.  On the other hand, Handel absolutely insisted that
his singers "sing what I do write, or I will drop you out the window," so
he seems to be one of the earliest composers to demand (or be able to
command) fidelity to the text from his performers.
 
Any thoughts on all of this?
 
Rob Forbes
 
________________________________________________
Robert P. Forbes <[log in to unmask]>
Department of History
Yale University
New Haven, CT  06520  (203)432-0714