Visitors to Handel Hendrix House have the chance to see music penned in Mozart’s own hand in a new display coinciding with the release of the Sky Arts series Amadeus. The manuscript is beautifully written and shows the beginning of a piece of music for a string quartet that 26-year-old Mozart transcribed from a harpsichord work by George Frideric Handel composed more than 60years earlier. This manuscript is evidence of Mozart’s life-long fascination with Handel’s music and the Baroque master’s influence on Mozart’s own music.

The exhibition, Handel through Mozart’s eyes will run at Handel Hendrix House – the Mayfair museum once home to composer G.F. Handel and rock legend Jimi Hendrix at 25 Brook Street – from Wednesday, February 25 until Sunday, September 13., 2026. Entry to the exhibition is included in the admission price.

Mozart embarked on a long European tour with his family, visiting London in 1764-5. At just eight years old, Mozart performed Handel’s music in the presence of royalty, participated in concerts that included Handel’s Acis and Galatea, and experienced live performances of many more works including Alexander’s Feast.

Mozart went on to study and make new arrangements of Handel’s fugues, dramatic oratorios and odes, finding inspiration in Handel’s mastery of the rules of counterpoint and the expressive power of his music. Mozart was reported to say that ‘Handel understands effect better than any of us…when he chooses, he strikes like a thunderbolt.’

The objects on display will include:
An early printed score of Messiah re-orchestrated by Mozart in 1789 (K572), showing Mozart’s fascinating engagement with and respect for Handel’s music

18th-century concert tickets and engravings showing key locations Hanover Square and Vauxhall Gardens where the young Mozart wowed audiences with his keyboard and violin playing in between performances of music by Handel during the child prodigy’s famous visit to London in 1764-5.

A 1760 biography of Handel by John Mainwaring of the kind that Mozart owned, studied, and recommended

On rare display to the public: A unique manuscript in Mozart’s hand of an incomplete transcription of the first 20 bars of the fugue from Handel’s Suite in F for harpsichord (HWV427), which Mozart worked on in 1782-3

Whilst it is not known if Mozart ever finished arranging Handel’s keyboard fugue for string quartet, it is clear that Handel’s music had a profound influence on his own style and compositions. This is perhaps most evident in his late string quartets and major works such as the ‘Jupiter’ Symphony, the C minor Mass and the Requiem.

In the exhibition, visitors will be able to hear the original keyboard fugue and explore the sounds of the kinds of early keyboard instruments that Mozart composed and performed on.

Exhibition curator Olwen Foulkes said: “We are delighted to be displaying this beautiful Mozart manuscript at Handel Hendrix House and giving a rare chance to see Mozart’s string quartet transcription in his own meticulous handwriting. Handel’s music was a highly influential part of Mozart’s journey as a composer and performer, and I hope that visitors will enjoy exploring this exciting part of Mozart’s story.’

Simon Daniels, Director of Handel Hendrix House, said “The Mozart manuscript is a fascinating and inspiring piece of music history, revealing as it does the depth of Mozart’s engagement with music written by the great masters of the previous generation. This manuscript was in the museum’s very first exhibition in 2001. As we look to celebrate the museum’s 25th anniversary this year, it is fitting that this rarely seen manuscript should once again be enjoyed by our visitors.”

EVENTS IN FEBRUARY/ MARCH
Saturday, 14th – Sunday, 22nd February
Half Term Activities
This February half term, explore Handel’s home and celebrate his birthday through playful trails and activities around the House.
Count the Composers
Inspired by our upcoming exhibition Handel Through Mozart’s Eyes, we’ve hidden small, birthday-hatted Handels and Mozarts throughout the rooms – how many can you spot as you explore? Although born 71 years apart, Handel had a profound influence on Mozart’s music. From childhood, Mozart studied Handel’s fugues, oratorios and odes, shaping his own use of counterpoint and musical expression. Count the Composers celebrates this creative connection through a simple, colourful activity, ideal for children and curious visitors of all ages.

Saturday & Sunday, 14th & 15th February
Baroque & Roll Weekends – Live Music
Twice a month and included in general price
https://handelhendrix.org/events/live-music

Tuesday, 24th February at 6.15pm – £25 – ALMOST SOLD OUT!
The Jimi Sessions with Marcus Machado
A truly unique live music experience in Hendrix’s flat, playing live music and creating unforgettable moments in the historic space.
https://handelhendrix.org/events/the-jimi-sessions-marcus-machado

Saturday 28th February
Baroque & Roll Weekends – Live Music
Included in general price
https://handelhendrix.org/events/live-music

Monday, 2nd March at 6.30pm – £25
The New Lyre – Music by 17th century women in Italy
Join The Portrait Players to celebrate the creativity and ingenuity of 17th century women in Italy who made their careers as composers and performers. Barbara Strozzi, the most published composer of her time, Francesca Caccini composer of the oldest known opera by a woman and Isabella Leonarda a nun writing prolifically both in vocal and instrumental genres. Alongside her historical colleagues, The Portrait Players are delighted to feature contemporary composer Clare Elton in premiering songs set to the sonnets of 16th century poet Louise Labe. The premiere is the culmination of the Louise Labe Song Project which The Portrait Players launched in 2024.
https://handelhendrix.org/events/monday-matinee-with-the-portrait-players

Saturday 7th March
Guitar Saturday
12-1pm – Talk
1-3pm – Brook street Jam in our Studio – Bring your guitar and help us fill Brook Street with music
£20 including general admission
https://handelhendrix.org/events/saturday-guitar-days

Saturday & Sunday, 14th & 15th March
Baroque & Roll Weekends – Live Music
Twice a month and included in general price
https://handelhendrix.org/events/live-music

Saturday & Sunday, 28th & 29th February
Baroque & Roll Weekends – Live Music
Twice a month and included in general price
https://handelhendrix.org/events/live-music

Plus every Thursday at 2pm – Seasonal talks with Deputy Curator