George Frideric Handel

George Frideric Handel (1685–1759) was a German-British composer who became one of the most significant figures in the Baroque period…

By Staff , in Composers , at September 18, 2024 Tags: composers

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George Frideric Handel (1685–1759) was a German-British composer who became one of the most significant figures in the Baroque period of music. His works, particularly in the genres of opera, oratorio, and instrumental music, have had a profound and lasting influence on Western classical music. Handel is best known for his oratorio “Messiah”, especially the famous “Hallelujah” chorus, but his musical legacy extends far beyond this masterpiece. Over the course of his career, Handel composed over 40 operas, 29 oratorios, numerous concerti grossi, and other instrumental works.

Early Life and Education
Born: February 23, 1685, in Halle, Duchy of Magdeburg (modern-day Germany), Handel was the son of a barber-surgeon. His father initially wanted him to pursue a career in law, but young Handel showed an early aptitude for music, learning to play the organ, harpsichord, and violin at a young age.

Education: Although his father discouraged his interest in music, Handel secretly practiced and received early musical training from Friedrich Wilhelm Zachow, the organist at Halle’s Lutheran church. Zachow taught Handel the basics of composition and introduced him to the works of German, Italian, and French composers. Handel’s early exposure to the organ and sacred music would later influence his compositions.

In 1702, Handel briefly studied law at the University of Halle to honor his father’s wishes, but after his father’s death, he abandoned legal studies to pursue a career in music.

Career Development: Germany and Italy
Hamburg (1703–1706):
In 1703, Handel moved to Hamburg, where he joined the opera orchestra at the Oper am Gänsemarkt as a violinist and harpsichordist. Hamburg was the only city in Germany with a public opera house at the time, and it provided Handel with the opportunity to gain practical experience in the world of opera.

During his time in Hamburg, Handel composed his first operas, “Almira” (1705) and “Nero” (1705). These early works were well-received and laid the foundation for his future operatic career.

Italian Influence (1706–1710):
In 1706, Handel traveled to Italy, which was the center of the European music world at the time. During his Italian period, Handel was exposed to the Italian operatic style and the works of leading composers like Arcangelo Corelli and Alessandro Scarlatti. This period had a profound impact on his musical style, particularly in terms of melody, vocal writing, and dramatic structure.

Handel composed several Italian operas, including “Rodrigo” (1707) and “Agrippina” (1709), which were successful in Florence, Venice, and Rome.
He also wrote many cantatas, sacred music, and instrumental works during this time, solidifying his reputation as a composer of note.

Move to London and Early Success (1710–1720)
Court Composer for Hanover and Arrival in London:
In 1710, Handel accepted the position of Kapellmeister (court music director) to George, Elector of Hanover (later King George I of Great Britain). Soon after, Handel traveled to London, where his opera “Rinaldo” (1711), the first Italian opera written specifically for the London stage, became an immediate success. London audiences were captivated by Handel’s music, and this success encouraged him to remain in England.

In 1712, Handel settled permanently in London, and over the next few years, he became the dominant figure in English opera. His popularity was such that when his former employer, George, Elector of Hanover, became King George I of Great Britain in 1714, the two men reconciled despite Handel’s extended stay in London.

The Water Music (1717):
One of Handel’s most famous compositions during this period is the “Water Music” suite, which was first performed in 1717 for King George I during a royal barge procession on the River Thames. The suite, which consists of lively, outdoor music for a large ensemble, remains one of Handel’s most popular orchestral works.

Height of Career: Operas and Oratorios (1720–1741)
Operas in London:
Throughout the 1720s and 1730s, Handel dominated the London operatic scene, composing and staging numerous operas for the Royal Academy of Music, a company he helped establish in 1719. His operas during this time included masterpieces such as “Giulio Cesare” (1724), “Tamerlano” (1724), and “Rodelinda” (1725).

These operas were written in the Italian style, featuring virtuosic arias for star singers and dramatic plots based on historical or mythological subjects. Handel was particularly known for writing beautiful da capo arias, which showcased the technical prowess and emotional expressiveness of his singers.

Shift to Oratorios:
By the late 1730s, the popularity of Italian opera in London began to wane, and Handel faced financial difficulties as operatic tastes shifted. In response, Handel turned increasingly to the composition of English oratorios, a genre that combined elements of opera, religious music, and choral singing. Unlike Italian operas, oratorios were sung in English and did not require elaborate stage sets or costumes, making them more accessible and affordable.

“Saul” (1739) and “Israel in Egypt” (1739) were early successes, but it was “Messiah” (1741) that became Handel’s most famous and enduring work. Premiered in Dublin in 1742, “Messiah” quickly became a beloved staple of the choral repertoire. The oratorio’s “Hallelujah” chorus, in particular, is one of the most recognizable pieces of classical music in the world.

Other notable oratorios from this period include “Samson” (1743), “Judas Maccabaeus” (1747), and “Solomon” (1748).

Later Life and Legacy
Final Years and Blindness:
In the last decade of his life, Handel continued to compose and conduct, even as his health began to decline. By 1750, Handel had started to lose his eyesight, and by 1752, he was completely blind. Despite his blindness, Handel continued to direct performances of his works, including annual performances of “Messiah” for charity.

Handel died on April 14, 1759, in London and was buried with full honors in Westminster Abbey, a testament to his status as one of Britain’s greatest composers.

Legacy and Influence:
Handel’s music has had an enduring influence on the development of classical music, and he is considered one of the greatest composers of the Baroque period. His mastery of vocal music, particularly in operas and oratorios, helped shape the development of these genres, and his works continue to be performed around the world.

“Messiah” remains one of the most frequently performed choral works, especially during the Christmas and Easter seasons.

His instrumental works, including “Water Music” and “Music for the Royal Fireworks” (1749), are also popular staples of the Baroque orchestral repertoire.

Handel’s legacy influenced later composers, including Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven, and his music is regarded as a bridge between the Baroque and Classical styles.