Visitors to the London home of two of the greatest influences on music will be able to see a piece penned by Mozart in a display running until September.
Handel through Mozart’s eyes will run at Handel Hendrix House from 25th February until 13th September, showcasing the beginning of a piece of music for a string quartet that Mozart transcribed from a harpsichord work by George Frideric Handel composed more than 60 years earlier.
Other objects on display include an early printed score of Messiah re-orchestrated by Mozart in 1789, 18th-century concert tickets and engravings showing locations where the young Mozart wowed audiences with his keyboard and violin playing during a visit to London in 1764-5, and a 1760 biography of Handel by John Mainwaring of the kind that Mozart owned and studied.
In the exhibition, visitors will also be able to hear the original keyboard composition and explore the sounds of the kinds of early keyboard instruments that Mozart composed and performed on.
Exhibition curator Olwen Foulkes said: “We are delighted to be displaying this beautiful Mozart manuscript at Handel Hendrix House and giving a rare chance to see Mozart’s string quartet transcription in his own meticulous handwriting.
“Handel’s music was a highly influential part of Mozart’s journey as a composer and performer, and I hope that visitors will enjoy exploring this exciting part of Mozart’s story.”
Simon Daniels, director of Handel Hendrix House, added: “The Mozart manuscript is a fascinating and inspiring piece of music history, revealing as it does the depth of Mozart’s engagement with music written by the great masters of the previous generation.
“This manuscript was in the museum’s very first exhibition in 2001. As we look to celebrate the museum’s 25th anniversary this year, it is fitting that this rarely seen manuscript should once again be enjoyed by our visitors.”
Group visits
During a visit groups can see Handel House which occupies two floors of the building where George Frideric Handel lived from 1723 until his death in 1759 and features restored historic rooms including his bedroom, kitchen and the dining room where rehearsals took place.
The upper floor was the home of Jimi Hendrix between July 1968 and March 1969 and he entertained friends, rehearsed and wrote new music in the flat. Permanent exhibitions introduce Hendrix’s place in the musical and social world of 1960s London, his influences and his legacy.
Entry to the Handel through Mozart’s eyes exhibition is included with admission to Handel Hendrix House. Groups of ten to 20 people can take advantage of discounted tickets. Groups of more than 20 should get in touch to book.
For more information about Handel Hendrix House, visit handelhendrix.org.
