This week's podcast is a special in-depth exploration of the music of Handel. Richard Wigmore, Gramophone writer and Handel expert talks to Editor Martin Cullingford about the composer, one of the most dominant cultural figures of 18th century London life. From his early years in Germany and Italy, to his success in London with both opera and, later, oratorios, we trace the development of his extraordinary career and music, and hear excerpts from some of the finest recent recordings.

You can listen to the Podcast above. To hear other Gramophone podcasts, or to subscribe for free to new editions, search for 'Gramophone' in your Podcast App of choice, or visit Gramophone's page on Apple Music podcasts. 

Excerpts are taken from the following recommended recordings:

Musick for the Royal Fireworks, performed by Zefiro and Alfredo Bernardini, on the Arcana label; 'Pensieri, voi mi tormentate', from Agrippina, performed by Joyce DiDonato, Maxim Emelyanychev and Il Pomo d'Oro, on Erato; 'Se pietà di me non senti' from Giulio Cesare, taken from Jeanine De Bique's album 'Mirrors', with Concerto Köln and Luca Quintavalle, on Berlin Classics; 'Ombra mai fù' from Serse, sung by Joyce DiDonato, with Il Pomo d'Oro under Maxim Emelyanychev, on Erato; 'O Lord whose mercies numberless' sung by Sarah Connolly from the recording of Saul from Harry Christophers and The Sixteen, on Coro; the 'Hallelujah' chorus from Messiah, performed by The Dunedin Consort and Players conducted by John Butt, on Linn Records; 'As Steals the Morn', from L’Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato, sung by Mary Bevan and Allan Clayton, with Ian Page conducting the Mozartists, on Signum.

Go further...

Explore the music of Handel further with our playlists devoted to the composer's music.

Handel: Great Recordings

Great Handel Arias