Do you know that Jimi Hendrix and Handel had many commonalities? Of course their names began with an H and they both changed music of their respective time… But there’s more. The two musicians were only separated by a wall (and of course 200 years’ gap!), as they both lived in the same building in London, on Brook Street, Myfair.

Handel’s House

 Handel, the German then British Baroque composer, moved into his house in Brook Street (now No. 25) during the summer of 1723. His main activity there was composing. The house consists in several rooms (including his bedroom) presenting Handel’s music legacy (with displays describing the successive operas and compositions) and instruments. A film presents the 300 year history of Handel’s House. And I have found a very interesting BBC documentary presenting Handel on youtube.

I didn’t know much of Handel’s work, and thus found great interest in discovering his house. I learnt that Handel had started three commercial opera companies to supply the English nobility with Italian opera. He moved to London as in 1710, he became cantor to German prince George, the Elector of Hanover, who in 1714 would become King George I of Great Britain and Ireland. He would be very close to the British Royalty all his life.

Handel’s legacy counts some of the most popular works in choral music, like the oratorio Messiah with its “Hallelujah” chorus, that has become the centrepiece of the Christmas season. And also the Harmonious Blacksmith. Handel also introduced uncommon musical instruments in his works: the viola d’amore and violetta marina (Orlando), the lute (Ode for St. Cecilia’s Day), three trombones (Saul), clarinets or small high cornetts (Tamerlano), theorbo, French horn (Water Music), lyrichord,double bassoon, viola da gamba, carillon (bell chimes), positive organ, and harp (Giulio Cesare, Alexander’s Feast).

Jimi Hendrix’s Flat

Jimi Hendrix lived above Handel’s house in his “first real home”, where he was used to creating and giving large numbers of interviews. Though Jimi Hendrix did not live very long there…From July 1968 to spring 1969. But it certainly was an intense period, as it was his mainstream career. The flat has been opened last February and I was really pleased to see it!
What we can obviously recall from the Jimi Hendrix Experience is his “Hey Joe” song. And of course the sacrifice of his guitar at the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967, which quite puzzled me as a child! But what I learnt in his flat, as you can find many videos, displays and instruments there, is the incomparable skills he had, “which comprised a multifaceted mix of open-string and thumb voicing, double-stops, chord partials and other techniques that, together, were part of his unique sound and style”. For the guitar players, here is a site dedicated to his particular guitar-playing… He also was in a constant search for new techniques and technologies to improve his skills or the recording of his music.
Here is a short biography of Jimi Hendrix and also a documentary on youtube for the many fans.
If you go to the Handel and Hendrix homes, feel free to share your impressions!