George Frideric Handel

George Frideric Handel by Balthasar Denner

George Frideric Handel (23 February 1685 – 14 April 1759) was a German-British Baroque composer who is famous for his operas, oratorios, and concertos. Handel was born in Halle, in the Duchy of Magdeburg, but he spent the bulk of his career in London, becoming a naturalized British subject in 1727. His most famous work, the oratorio Messiah, is among the most popular works in choral music and has become a centerpiece of the Christmas season.

Early Life

Handel was born to Georg and Dorothea Handel of Halle. Despite his father's desire for him to pursue a career in law, Handel showed a marked musical talent at an early age. He was allowed to study music under Friedrich Wilhelm Zachow, the organist at the Lutheran Marienkirche. Handel's early musical education involved learning various instruments as well as composition.

Career

Handel's career can be divided into roughly three periods. The first, in Germany, saw the young composer serving as a violinist and harpsichordist at the Hamburg Opera. In 1706, Handel traveled to Italy, where he met many of the leading Italian musicians of the day, including Arcangelo Corelli and Alessandro Scarlatti. This period was crucial in the development of Handel's style, particularly in opera.

The second period began with Handel's move to London in 1712. Here, he found success with operas such as Rinaldo. However, the changing tastes of the London public, along with financial difficulties, led Handel to shift his focus from opera to oratorio in the 1730s. This change marked the beginning of his most productive and successful period. Works from this time include Saul, Israel in Egypt, and Messiah.

The final period of Handel's life was marked by deteriorating health, which led to a decrease in musical output. However, he continued to revise his earlier works and perform, even after becoming completely blind in 1752. Handel died in 1759 and was buried in Westminster Abbey, a rare honor for a composer at the time.

Legacy

Handel's influence on later composers cannot be overstated. His work in the development of the oratorio was particularly significant, influencing many composers who came after him. Handel's ability to blend elements of Italian opera with German choral music created a new, distinctly English form of oratorio that would dominate English music for decades. His music remains popular today, with works such as Messiah, Water Music, and Music for the Royal Fireworks regularly performed.

Selected Works

• Operas: Rinaldo, Giulio Cesare, Serse
• Oratorios: Messiah, Saul, Israel in Egypt
• Instrumental: Water Music, Music for the Royal Fireworks

See Also

• Baroque music
• Oratorio
• Opera