Handel and Haydn Society - Historically Informed Performance

Historically Informed Performance

Toward the middle of the 20th century, the Handel and Haydn Society began adopting the practices of the historically informed performance movement, striving for vocal and instrumental authenticity. In Michael Steinberg's words: "Decisions about tempo, articulation, vocal embellishment (long felt to be sacrilegious and unthinkable), weight and color of sonority, all contributed to this process." Writing in 2005, he included Thomas Dunn in a list of seven "conductors who most powerfully affected this re-examination."

In 1967, Dunn, an expert in baroque performance practice, became the Society's Artistic Director and transformed its large amateur chorus into a smaller professional musical ensemble. In 1963, Time magazine had called Dunn "the hero of the baroqueniks". Under Dunn in 1977, H&H made the first recording of Alfred Mann's 1963 edition of Messiah, the only recording at the time in which the soloists joined in singing the choruses, following the practice of Handel's time.

Christopher Hogwood succeeded Dunn in 1986, and under his direction the Society's orchestra began using period instruments in their performances. The Society has since remained committed to historically informed performance practice.