Discuss the Principle Differences and Similarities Between the Orchestra Used by Handel and Mozart, and How the Composers Wrote for Them.

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Discuss the principle differences and similarities between the orchestra used by Handel and Mozart, and how the composers wrote for them. Handel’s Water Music Suite no. 3 was composed in 1717 and uses a relatively large orchestra for this early Baroque period. Mozart’s Horn Concerto No.4 was composed in 1787 and uses a relatively large orchestra for this time. Both of the pieces also had different purposes, the Handel was written as a celebration for the king. Whereas the Mozart was written to showcase the development of the Horn at this time and also to show the virtuosic abilities of Leutgeb. Handel uses a generally large orchestra containing 2 oboes, a bassoon, 2 horns, 2 trumpets, violin 1, violin 2, viola and cello and bass. Whereas Mozart uses 2oboes, 2 horns, a solo horn, violin 1, violin 2, viola and cello and bass. Although Mozart uses a solo Horn, both pieces have the strings as their main body. Also in the first movement Handel’s Water Music Suite No.2 the orchestra is split into two groups, which alternate throughout the movement, giving an antiphonal feel. Which is similar to that of Mozart’s Horn Concerto No.4 which is split into 2 groups, the Solo Horn and accompaniment, and the tutti sections. Both pieces use orchestral horns, but Mozart’s Horn Concerto No.4 uses a solo horn as well. In both pieces the orchestral horns only use the open notes. But the solo horn in the Horn Concerto No.4 uses more developed techniques such as handstopping, to showcase the virtuosticity of Leutgeb, and the advanced techniques developed on the horn. In both the Mozart and Handel pieces crooked horns are used, Mozart’s in Eb and Handel’s in D. The orchestral horns in Mozart’s Horn Concerto No.4 are only used at cadence points to add to the harmony, for example in bars 80-84. Neither pieces have a basso continuo part, they use the cello and bass instead. In both

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