contains: 2 parts for trumpets with 3 trumpets to a part (_i.e._ 6
trumpets); 3 _Prinzipali_ (low trumpets); 3 drums; 3 parts for horns
with 3 to a part (_i.e._ 9 Horns); 3 parts for oboes with 12 for the
first part, 8 for the second and 4 for the third (_i.e._ 24 oboes); 2
parts for bassoons with 8 for the first and 4 for the second (_i.e._ 12
bassoons). Total, 70 wind instruments. There were about 100 players for
the performance on April 27, 1749.
Later on, Handel reproduced the work for concert use by adding the
string orchestra to it.
[434] Written for 9 horns in three sections, 24 oboes in two sections,
and 12 bassoons.
[435] It would not be difficult to add other analogous works by Handel
and Beethoven. There exists a fine repertoire of popular classical music
for open-air _fetes_. But, nevertheless, it is completely disregarded.
[436] The Gavotte theme from the Overture to _Ottone_ was played all
over England and on all kinds of instruments, "even on the pan's-pipes
of the perambulating jugglers." It was found even at the end of the
eighteenth century as a French vaudeville air. (see the _Anthologie
francoise ou Chansons choisies_, published by Monnet, in 1765, Vol. I,
p. 286). The March from _Scipio_, as also that from _Rinaldo_, served
during half a century for the Parade of the Life Guards. The minuets and
overtures from _Arianna_ and Berenice had a long popularity. One sees in
the English novels of the time (especially in Fielding's _Tom Jones_) to
what an extent Handel's music had permeated English country life, even
from the small country squires to the county magnates, so absolutely cut
off as they were from _all_ artistic influences.
[437] Paul Marie Masson has noticed that about the date of 1716, in a
volume of _Recueil d'airs serieux et a boire_. (Bibl. Nat. Vm. 549), an
_Aria del Signor Inden_ (sic), "_air ajoute au ballet de l'Europe
Galante_." The _Meslanges de musique latine, francoise et italienne_ of
Ballard (in 1728), contains amongst the Italian airs _Arie de Signor
Endel_ (p. 61). All the airs of the _Chasse du cerf_ by Sere de Rieux
(1734) are Handel airs adapted to French words. An article by Michel
Brenet, _La librairie musicale en France de 1653 a 1790, d'apres les
registres de privileges_ (_Sammelbaende I.M.G._, 1907) gives a series of
French Editions of Handel from 1736, 1739, 1749, 1751, 1765. In 1736 and
in 1743 in _Concerts Spirituels_ some of his airs and his _Concerti
Grossi_ were given (Brenet: _Les Concerts en France sous l'ancien
regime_, 1900). A number of his airs were arranged for the flute by
Blavet in his three _Receuils de pieces, petits airs, brunettes,
minuets, etc., accommodes pour les flutes traversieres, violins, etc._,
which appeared between 1740 and 1750. Handel was so well known in Paris
that they sold his portrait there in 1739. (See a tradesman's
advertisement in the _Mercure de France_, June, 1739, Vol. II, page
1384.)