Don Satz in his last post on this strand mentioned Handel, and that
sent my thoughts to a question which I have always found curious: why
is it that Beethoven and Mozart seem to have found particular praise for
Handel, rather than Bach? Clearly both found fertile ground for their own
development in Bach; but they always mention Handel as one of the supreme
masters - and then Bach comes as a respected second. Another curious
thing: if I remember correctly, what B. and M. both found most remarkable
about Bach was the harmonic concentration, the 'cramming of harmonies' into
the music. Interesting, given that today Bach is seen more as the great
polyphonist.
Felix Delbruck
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