Template

“I should be sorry if I only entertain [my audience]. I wish to make them better.”

Beethoven considered Handel to be “the greatest of us all”. J.S. Bach tried to meet Handel several times, but failed at every attempt. Today, the greatest composer is considered to be J.S. Bach, Mozart, or Beethoven, but they would not have agreed. They probably would have said that the greatest composer was George Frederic Handel.

George Frederic Handel was the oldest of the three famous composers born in 1685 (the other two being Bach and Scarlatti). George’s father, wanting his son to be rich and successful, declared that his son would enter law school. Yet, Handel’s passion was for music and he longed to find a job in the musical field. However, Handel’s father forbade the thought and told George to drop his stupid, unpractical wishes. Mrs. Handel, however, saved the day by smuggling a keyboard into the house. George practiced long and hard until he became quite a master of the instrument.

When he was seven, George’s father took him on a visit to the court of a Duke where little Handel wowed the aristocrats when he stepped up to an organ and gave a flawless performance. Even Mr. Handel was amazed by little George Frederic’s skill, and he finally agreed to send his son to music school.

Handel got his first job as a musician in Hamburg. While there he met Georg Philipp Telemann and composed his first opera. Also during this time, Handel was nearly killed when he challenged a rival composer, Johann Mattheson (1681-1764), to a duel. Apparently, the two composers disagreed over who would direct a piece of music and Handel, famous for his quick temper, eagerly agreed to defend his honor with the sword. If a large button on Handel’s coat had not deflected Mattheson’s sword, Handel could have been skewered. The two composers ultimately walked away from the duel uninjured and ultimately became good friends.

Mattheson was an astute observer of the opportunities that existed for young composers at the beginning of the 1700’s. Mattheson once observed, "The Italians exalt music; the French enliven it; the Germans strive after it; and the English pay for it well." Perhaps influenced by Mattheson, Handel decided to travel to Italy in 1706 to learn how to composer Italian operas. After four years of study in Italy, Handel packed his bags and journeyed to London where he set up shop as a German composer of Italian operas designed for English listeners. This mishmash of nationalities did not go as well with the Brits as Handel had calculated. In fact, Handel was so unsuccessful in finding employment in England that he was forced to rethink his entire career as a German composer of Italian operas.

Eventually, Handel decided that he had a better chance at success writing oratorios (religious operas). Soon, Handel’s Israel in Egypt, Judas Maccabaeus and especially his Messiah turned him into a superstar. Messiah was cheered everywhere it was performed, and Handel conducted it annually for eager audiences. He continued to give these annual Messiah concerts until the end of his life. While conducting what would be his last performance of Messiah, Handel collapsed and died soon after. He was buried in Westminster Abby where 3,000 people attended his funeral.

Listening to Handel

Handel wrote quite a number of the Baroque Era’s famous tunes. The Hallelujah Chorus from Messiah is no doubt one of the most famous pieces from all of classical music, and so is the Water Music and Music for the Royal Fireworks. All of these works capture the “pomp” and royal flavor that Handel was so good at capturing in his music. Try the list below to get your start in Handel’s music.

Handel Recommendations

Orchestral Music

- Music for the Royal Fireworks

- Water Music

- Concerto Grosso No. 7 in B-flat

Chamber Music

- Trio Sonatas, Op. 2 or Op. 5

Keyboard Music

- Suite No. 5 in E for Harpsichord (including the Harmonious Blacksmith)

Sacred Vocal Music

- Messiah

- Israel in Egypt

- Judas Maccabaeus

Opera

- Xerxes


George Frederic HANDEL (1685-1759) *The Greatest of Us All* “I should be sorry if I only entertain [my audience]. I wish to make them better.” - George Frederic Handel Beethoven considered Handel to be “the greatest of us all”. J.S. Bach tried to meet Handel several times, but failed at every attempt. Today, the greatest composer is considered to be J.S. Bach, Mozart, or Beethoven, but they would not have agreed. They probably would have said that the greatest composer was George Frederic Handel. George Frederic Handel was the oldest of the three famous composers born in 1685 (the other two being Bach and Scarlatti). George’s father, wanting his son to be rich and successful, declared that his son would enter law school. Yet, Handel’s passion was for music and he longed to find a job in the musical field. However, Handel’s father forbade the thought and told George to drop his stupid, unpractical wishes. Mrs. Handel, however, saved the day by smuggling a keyboard into the house. George practiced long and hard until he became quite a master of the instrument. When he was seven, George’s father took him on a visit to the court of a Duke where little Handel wowed the aristocrats when he stepped up to an organ and gave a flawless performance. Even Mr. Handel was amazed by little George Frederic’s skill, and he finally agreed to send his son to music school. Handel got his first job as a musician in Hamburg. While there he met Georg Philipp Telemann and composed his first opera. Also during this time, Handel was nearly killed when he challenged a rival composer, Johann Mattheson (1681-1764), to a duel. Apparently, the two composers disagreed over who would direct a piece of music and Handel, famous for his quick temper, eagerly agreed to defend his honor with the sword. If a large button on Handel’s coat had not deflected Mattheson’s sword, Handel could have been skewered. The two composers ultimately walked away from the duel uninjured and ultimately became good friends. Mattheson was an astute observer of the opportunities that existed for young composers at the beginning of the 1700’s. Mattheson once observed, "The Italians exalt music; the French enliven it; the Germans strive after it; and the English pay for it well." Perhaps influenced by Mattheson, Handel decided to travel to Italy in 1706 to learn how to composer Italian operas. After four years of study in Italy, Handel packed his bags and journeyed to London where he set up shop as a German composer of Italian operas designed for English listeners. This mishmash of nationalities did not go as well with the Brits as Handel had calculated. In fact, Handel was so unsuccessful in finding employment in England that he was forced to rethink his entire career as a German composer of Italian operas. Eventually, Handel decided that he had a better chance at success writing oratorios (religious operas). Soon, Handel’s Israel in Egypt, Judas Maccabaeus and especially his Messiah turned him into a superstar. Messiah was cheered everywhere it was performed, and Handel conducted it annually for eager audiences. He continued to give these annual Messiah concerts until the end of his life. While conducting what would be his last performance of Messiah, Handel collapsed and died soon after. He was buried in Westminster Abby where 3,000 people attended his funeral. Listening to Handel Handel wrote quite a number of the Baroque Era’s famous tunes. The Hallelujah Chorus from Messiah is no doubt one of the most famous pieces from all of classical music, and so is the Water Music and Music for the Royal Fireworks. All of these works capture the “pomp” and royal flavor that Handel was so good at capturing in his music. Try the list below to get your start in Handel’s music. Handel Recommendations Orchestral Music - Music for the Royal Fireworks - Water Music - Concerto Grosso No. 7 in B-flat Chamber Music - Trio Sonatas, Op. 2 or Op. 5 Keyboard Music - Suite No. 5 in E for Harpsichord (including the Harmonious Blacksmith) Sacred Vocal Music - Messiah - Israel in Egypt - Judas Maccabaeus Opera - Xerxes



Contact \| Top of Page \| Home