Comment on how Handel uses the following elements in And the glory of the Lord: Melody, Harmony & tonality, Dynamics, Texture, Mood

In typical Baroque fashion, Handel creates a decoratve melody by using trills and grace notes. He also uses devices effectively to create an interesting melody. For example he employs melismatic writing, which means he uses more than one note per syllable- for example the long drawn-out phrases on the second syllable of 'revealed.' The arcing melody on this syllable also functions as a recurring motif which is satisfying for the listener as it creates a sense of familiarity, as we hear a similar tune applied to different words in later phrases.

The tonality is major throughout the movement, creating a joyous feel, appropriate for the thanksgiving sentiment. Any modulaions in the piece are to the dominant key, stabilising the tonality in the tonic A major key throughout. As expected the movement features many perfect cadences, but curiously it ends with a plagal one. This gives particularly resounding sense of finality, as 'Amens' often use this cadence. The diatonic harmony, free of chromaticism, also suits the thanksgiving nature of the movement. 

Terraced dynamics are used throughout the movement, with sudden changes in dynamics to create contrast. This is common in Baroque music. The piece starts of quietly with a orchestral introduction and ends with a dramatic rest and then a loud cadence.

There are several examples of canonic imitation in the movement, as phrases are passed around and different time and pitch intervals. However this polyphonic activity is balanced with homophonic moments, to create emphatic phrases of praise- the final phrase is a good example of this, with the final three words of the phrase, 'The mouth of the Lord hath spoken it'. This homophony adds to sense of finality the plagal cadence gives us. 

Answered by William R. Music tutor

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