Every time I listen to G.F. Handel's music it causes kinaesthetic reactions in my body; this music makes me moving or dancing. Does anyone know why this is the case with Handel's music - and not e.g. with Bach's?

With best greetings from Innsbruck,

Perhaps because, simplistically, more of Handel's music was written for secular purposes (operas, orchestral music, chamber music) and more of Bach's music was written for sacred purposes (cantatas, masses, organ preludes and fugues, etc.). Both composers wrote all sorts of music, but Handel spent more time in the theatre and Bach spent more time in church, and this may contribute to your response to their music.

Bach's music is also considered more "academic" than Handel's music. That could contribute.

I can't think of too many ballet's that have been choreographed to Handel's music though I can think of several that have been choreographed to Bach. Can anyone help me out there?

There's Union Jack, and doesn't Helgi Tomasson like using Handel?

Paul Taylor's Aureole is another one.

--Andre

Mark Morris' "L'allegro" is a full evening of Handel. One of Kent Stowell's works, "Hail the Conquering Hero," is a substantial work that draws from a number of Handel works, largely operatic arias and choruses.

I know only "Der Messias" choreographed by John Neumeier - like Neumeier did Bach's "Matthäuspassion" which became far more famous.

I totally forgot about "L'allegro". I even saw it in Berkeley a couple of years ago.

I think Taylor has used other Handel music as well. And Helgi Tomasson does seem to like Handel. Balanchine seemed to like Bach better.

I think it's because Bach's music is structurally more complex than Handel's. Most dance music in the West is (and has been, for a long time) fairly simple, with a strong pulse (beat), a melody and some harmony, and phrases that aren't very long. Handel's music meets these requirements. Bach worked more with fugues and polyphony, which makes his music sound busier. Still, though, Bach's music definitely makes me want to get up and dance.

Currently at the Garnier Opera House in Paris

Création chorégraphique de Robyn Orlin
L'Allegro, il penseroso ed il moderato
Ode pastorale en trois parties HWV 55 (1740) de Georg Friedrich Haendel
Livret de Charles Jennens d’après John Milton

It semms to be very bad... At the premiere, people were very angry and I have been told somedoby said "Poor Haendel!"

Ack! that's too bad. Why was it so bad?

The reviews I rode talked about the lack of dance. It is rather like theatre.

Another problem is the use of videos showing pictures of Africa.


If you understand french:
http://lesculturelles.net
http://palpatine42.free.fr/blog/

The French National Theatre has a problem.

And it is not the corps de ballet.