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TOC
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Mark's church, who most excel in mere
church music, accompanied only by the
organ. The voices were not good
enough for long solo parts, not strong
enough to get through a large band; yet,
there were many very pleasing and agree-
able movements, and some of the cho-
russes were well worked in the fugue
and oratorio way.
But for this kind of music, that of
Handel will, I believe, ever stand su-
perior to all other writers; at least I have
heard nothing yet on the continent of
equal force and effect. There is often
in the compositions of others, more me-
lody in the solo parts, more delicacy, and
more light and shade, but as to harmony
and contrivance, no one comes near him
by many degrees. I must confess that I
had heard some of Handel's music so long,
and often so ill performed, that I was
somewhat tired and disgusted with it;
but my Italian journey, instead of lower-
ing the esteem which I ever had for the
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