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Musick for the King: A Historical Novel
Staring debtor's prison in the eye, George Frederik Handel is depressed and suffering from various illnesses. Faced with crushing verbal, intellectual, financial, and even physical opposition, he can go no longer. Adding to his woes, he's a pawn in the vicious political and cultural dispute between King George II and his son Frederick, Prince of Wales. Two encounters change everything--and alter music forever. Rejuvenated by a strange, revolutionary text for an oratorio and an invitation to Dublin, Handel throws himself into the new work, Messiah, completing it in only twenty-four days. Vicious opponents still seek to destroy him and drive him out. Some in the church even rise to prevent Messiah from seeing the light of day, objecting to his decisions to hire a disgraced singer and perform in a secular location with secular performers. These struggles to present Messiah mirror his own internal battles to understand, and eventually, revolutionize, his own beliefs. Through it all, Handel realizes that the music and the story it portrays is bigger than him, bigger than any performance, bigger even than the King. This novel showcases a superb sweep through the creation of the magnificent Messiah and the fascinating characters, real and fictional, who influenced the story.
216 pages, Paperback
Published April 15, 2020
3 people are currently reading
9 people want to read
About the author
Barrie Doyle
5 books2 followersFormer journalist and editor with publications like The Toronto Star. Toronto Telegram, Christianity Today. I have lived in Toronto, Virginia, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, London England and Wales. As a communications professional, I consult in the areas of crisis management and media training for non-profits after a career as a public relations executive for major corporations like Canon Canada and as a Professor at Canada's most prestigious PR programme at Humber College in Toronto.
After retiring from the college I embarked on a third career as a novelist, with three suspense thrillers under the collective title The Oak Grove Conspiracies. They are modern day thrillers with a historic twist OR, if you prefer, historic thrillers with a modern twist.
Musick for the King--about Handel and writing Messiah--is my first historical novel.
After retiring from the college I embarked on a third career as a novelist, with three suspense thrillers under the collective title The Oak Grove Conspiracies. They are modern day thrillers with a historic twist OR, if you prefer, historic thrillers with a modern twist.
Musick for the King--about Handel and writing Messiah--is my first historical novel.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
April 27, 2020
I wasn’t sure what to expect reading a book that is fictional being a big autobiographical fan. But Barrie kept me interested from page one. He made the characters and indeed the Musick come alive. For any classical music fans or anyone in fact, this is a great read. My kudos to the Author.
May 7, 2020
In his Oak Grove Conspiracies trilogy, author Barrie Doyle wove tales that combined history, suspense and intrigue. In his latest novel, "Musick for the King," Doyle uses those same techniques to deftly compose the story behind the writing of one of classical music's greatest pieces: "Messiah" by George Frederick Handel.
To begin, "Musick for the King" is historical fiction. As Doyle says in his Author's Reflections: "Naturally some of the peripheral characters are fictional. However, by and large most of the people in this novel are real. I have tried to characterize them as history has recorded them." So if you're looking for a biography, go elsewhere. But if you're looking for an exciting tale about a seminal work of art, "Musick for the King" needs to top your to-read list.
Structure along the lines of "Messiah," with three parts and many movements (chapters), Doyle opens with a Handel who is fighting illness (gout and the after effects of a stroke), the prospect of debtor's prison. Handel also has detractors, including Frederick (the Prince of Wales) who are determined to ruin his reputation.
Handel's mood begins to lift when the Duke of Devonshire, who is also the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, invites Handel to the emerald isle to lead a series of concerts. And when Charles Jennens unexpectedly brings Handel a libretto based on passages from the Bible, Handel becomes so inspired, he scores the music for a sacred oratorio in 24 days.
With plans to premiere the work, which Jennens simply titled "Messiah," in Ireland as a fundraiser, Handel faces more opposition over the venue (a public music hall instead of a church), his choice of a singer (a woman who had been the subject of a sex scandal in London) and the material (whispered by some as blasphemous). Handel and his supporters eventually overcome the objections and the oratorio is performed to resounding reviews. This scenario is repeated after Handel returns to London and, again, sees "Messiah" successfully performed and hailed as a masterpiece by none other than King George II.
Doyle relies on his experience as a communicator (journalism and public relations) to pen a story that keeps the reader engaged and turning the pages. Once you begin reading this novel, you won't want to put it down until you've finished.
To begin, "Musick for the King" is historical fiction. As Doyle says in his Author's Reflections: "Naturally some of the peripheral characters are fictional. However, by and large most of the people in this novel are real. I have tried to characterize them as history has recorded them." So if you're looking for a biography, go elsewhere. But if you're looking for an exciting tale about a seminal work of art, "Musick for the King" needs to top your to-read list.
Structure along the lines of "Messiah," with three parts and many movements (chapters), Doyle opens with a Handel who is fighting illness (gout and the after effects of a stroke), the prospect of debtor's prison. Handel also has detractors, including Frederick (the Prince of Wales) who are determined to ruin his reputation.
Handel's mood begins to lift when the Duke of Devonshire, who is also the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, invites Handel to the emerald isle to lead a series of concerts. And when Charles Jennens unexpectedly brings Handel a libretto based on passages from the Bible, Handel becomes so inspired, he scores the music for a sacred oratorio in 24 days.
With plans to premiere the work, which Jennens simply titled "Messiah," in Ireland as a fundraiser, Handel faces more opposition over the venue (a public music hall instead of a church), his choice of a singer (a woman who had been the subject of a sex scandal in London) and the material (whispered by some as blasphemous). Handel and his supporters eventually overcome the objections and the oratorio is performed to resounding reviews. This scenario is repeated after Handel returns to London and, again, sees "Messiah" successfully performed and hailed as a masterpiece by none other than King George II.
Doyle relies on his experience as a communicator (journalism and public relations) to pen a story that keeps the reader engaged and turning the pages. Once you begin reading this novel, you won't want to put it down until you've finished.
December 23, 2025
Congratulations to my long-time friend Barrie Doyle for his fascinating novel "Musick for the King"! I confess to writing and reading mainly non-fiction books. However, Barrie has a talent in blending both fact and fiction into a very readable book which drew me as a reader slowly but surely into the narrative set in Dublin and London. The triumphant story of the Messiah written and performed by George Frederik Handel is captivating and inspiring--all the more since Barrie creates this drama arising from the conniving opposition to Handel of villain Lord Dawlish on one hand but balanced by the emotional inspiring support of Mrs. Cibber to Handel's success with "Messiah"!
It took my reading of several chapters before I became fully engaged in the author's unfolding drama. By the second half of this novel, I could easily imagine myself interacting with the various characters, cheering on Mrs. Cibber and rejoicing in the ultimate success of Handel in achieving the hearts of reluctant Londoners and the enthusiastic support of the King! This novel is a lesson in success through diligence and persistence. Well done , Barrie!
It took my reading of several chapters before I became fully engaged in the author's unfolding drama. By the second half of this novel, I could easily imagine myself interacting with the various characters, cheering on Mrs. Cibber and rejoicing in the ultimate success of Handel in achieving the hearts of reluctant Londoners and the enthusiastic support of the King! This novel is a lesson in success through diligence and persistence. Well done , Barrie!
December 23, 2025
Four strong stars! This was a very heart-felt book, that delved into the 18th century life of George Frederick Handel as he rose from debt and derision to become, once again, the master of music of his day! I have read other accounts of this time period in Handel's life, but none were as well-researched and presented as this one. There is even an element of mystery and skullduggery that piques the interest as one follows Handel and a cast of singers, clerics, and criminals, to Ireland, in search of various goals, all of which end up centering on the premiere of the sublime MESSIAH oratorio!
Side note: One may think (as I did at first) that the title refers to King George II, who sponsored Handel, but it ultimately refers to The King of Kings and Lord of Lords: Jesus Christ, Redeemer of the World!
This is a worthwhile read at any time, but especially at Christmas or Easter.
Side note: One may think (as I did at first) that the title refers to King George II, who sponsored Handel, but it ultimately refers to The King of Kings and Lord of Lords: Jesus Christ, Redeemer of the World!
This is a worthwhile read at any time, but especially at Christmas or Easter.
May 13, 2020
Breathtaking , this book Is amazing I had trouble putting down The story opens up a whole new perspective on life during King Georges ll time You can feel yourself reliving many obstacles with the main characters and then the great accomplishment of the the Messiah A must read!!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews