Marble Bust of Composer George F. Handel: Get It Before It's Gone

Prefatory note: When you view the photo of this bust at eleganza.com, don't be deceived by the (not-included) large-diameter marble base prominently displayed beneath the bust. The bust's own attached base is the harder-to-see, blackish rectangle measuring about 4" wide x 3.25" deep x 1.25" high.

Although my taste in music runs from "oldies pop" to "classical" (actually all periods from medieval through 20th century), and although it's virtually impossible for me to pick a "favorite" composer (because I love the vast majority of them--including even the relatively obscure ones--when they're at their compositional best), if I were compelled to name a favorite, it would be George Frideric Handel (1685-1759).

Handel was born a German; spent some of his musically formative years in Italy; and became, essentially, an English composer after 1712. Though Handel has long been inextricably linked with his most popular oratorio, Messiah, I must say that that undeniably worthy work is far from my favorite Handelian composition. In particular, its ubiquitous "Hallelujah" chorus gets on my nerves. If I never had to hear that confounded chorus again, I'd not feel deprived.] But, to me, Handel's cantatas, operas and oratorios collectively constitute the ultimate synthesis of vocal and instrumental music, and this is not to mention Handel's many sublime instrumental works, not least of which is the "Water Music".

In 2002, I decided to ornament my subterranean library with several modest Handelian objets d'art. First, I ordered two color portraits (framable prints) of Handel from England, and those items have flanked this computer desk ever since. [See my March 21, 2008 review of London's National Portrait Gallery for more information.]

But I also wanted a sculpture--preferably a bust--of Master Handel to grace this desk's hutch (i.e., a bookshelf housing an assortment of "classical music" reference books). But discovering any retail bust of Handel wasn't quite so easy as finding one of Beethoven, Mozart, or several other big names.