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About this quote

What does it mean?
Handel's music is so generous that people don't know how to handle it.
In plain terms
His music is too good for many to understand.
What can you take from it?
Great art can overwhelm its audience.

Where it applies

  • listening to complex compositions
  • introducing new music to novices

Putting it to work

  • play recordings slowly
  • provide program notes

Questions to consider

  • Why might people feel unable to engage with a masterpiece?
  • How can we bridge the gap between art and audience?

Another view

Not everyone lacks ability; some simply lack exposure.

More from George Frideric Handel

  1. You have taken far too much trouble over your opera. Here in England that is mere waste of time. What the English like is something that they can beat time to,…

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  2. Er ist der Meister von uns allen!

    Permalink to quote #6
  3. I should be sorry if I only entertained them, I wish to make them better.

    Permalink to quote #3

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