Händel-Gesellschaft

[2] The other major collection was produced by the English Handel Society (founded by Sir George Macfarren) between 1843 and 1858—however, it too was incomplete.

[5] Chrysander set up an office in the garden at his home, and from 1862 onwards personally superintended the engraving and printing of the edition.

[6] Additionally, he sold fruits and vegetables raised in his garden to derive further income during the years of publication.

[7] Due to its being more comprehensive than previous collections, the Händel-Gesellschaft edition was long considered the standard reference for Handel's works.

When the Hallische Händel-Ausgabe was inaugurated in 1955, it was at first intended as a supplement to Chrysander's work, and only later (in 1958) became a full critical edition in its own right.

[9] Some have criticised Chrysander's efforts, with one writer commenting that "he was an autocrat, a law into himself, who often made his selection according to his desires, who altered and revised at will, and who even falsified documents to suit his purposes,"[10] and another criticising his "arbitrary selection of material in the more complex works and his failure to explain his methods.

The publications were labelled as "Lieferung" (which is German for "consignment" or "delivery") followed by a Roman numeral indicating the volume number.

The 105 volumes (which includes six supplement volumes) published in the Händelgesellschaft are (note that volume 49 was never published): Under the heading Erste Sammlung (First Collection) are the following eight works:[14] Under the heading Zweite Sammlung (Second Collection) are the following nine works:[14] Under the heading Dritts Sammlung (Third Collection) are the following twelve works:[14] Under the heading Vierte Sammlung (Fourth Collection) are the following six works:[14] Sonate da Camera Part I: Fifteen Solo sonatas: Part II: Six Sonatas for two Oboes and Bass: Part III: Nine Sonatas for two Violins &c and Bass: Part IV: Six Sonatas for two Violins &c and Bass: Erste Abtheilung (First Division): Zweite Abtheilung (Second Division): Dritte Abtheilung (Third Division): The following lists most of the HWV numbers not included in the Händelgesellschaft volumes: