A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/See, the Conquering Hero Comes
SEE, THE CONQUERING HERO COMES. A well-known piece of Handel's music. It occurs in the 3rd act of 'Joshua,' as a welcome to Caleb after the taking of Debir, in three repetitions of the same form: (1) Chorus of youths, S.S.A., lines 1 and 2 repeated as a horn duet; (2) As a duet (Signore Cassarini and Galli) with flute accompaniment; (3)in full chorus. 'Joshua' was finished Aug. 12, 1747, and produced March 9, 1748. 'Judas Maccabeus' was produced April 1, 1747, and repeated April 1, 1747 [App. p.792 "1748"], 'with additions.' One of the additions was 'See, the conquering hero,' doubtless on account of the great success which had greeted it in 'Joshua' three weeks before. The air has been often treated as a theme for variations, and Reinecke has recently combined it with the chorale 'Nun danket alle Gott,' in his overture 'Friedensfreier' (1872) at the conclusion of the Peace between Germany and France.
[ G. ]