Reviews

This portrait of the German composer interweaves biographical details with commentary on his immenseoeuvre. (Jan.)

Following closely on the heels of Christopher Hogwood's impressive biography ( LJ 4/15/85), this latest tercentennial tribute to Handel is less glossy, more subjective, and just as enjoyable as its predecessor. Keates is not a musicologist or performerhe is a Shakespeare scholar and fiction writer, but has an amateur's enthusiasm for his subject and an engaging writing style. Moreover, he is able to avail himself of recent Handel research without deadening the prose. While the writing is essentially nontechnical, there are many astute observations on Handel's musical connections with his contemporaries. Scholars will prefer the excellent bibliography and detailed chronology in Hogwood's book; its clarity and objectivity make it a requisite first choice for libraries. For larger collections, however, Keates's quirky and colorful account will be a fine addition. Larry Lipkis, Music Dept., Moravian Coll., Bethlehem, Pa.