Composers Datebook / 23 February
"What a wonderful thing it is to be sure of one's faith!" - G.F. Handel
George Frideric Handel
(February 23, 1685
– April 14, 1759) was an English composer and violinist of German origin. He was born in Halle, the son of a barber-surgeon. At first his
father wanted him to pursue law instead of music; eventually, his father
relented and allowed him to study under Zachau, the local organist at St Michael's
Church.
G.F. Handel is one of the
greatest composers in the Baroque Era
Handel excelled in oratorios and
operas. He received wide acclaim during his lifetime. To this day, he is best known for his oratorio Messiah, the summation of his life’s
work composed in a single burst of inspiration but including some elements from
earlier works.
"What a wonderful thing it is to be sure of one's faith!" - G.F. Handel
George Frideric Handel
(February 23, 1685
– April 14, 1759) was an English composer and violinist of German origin. He was born in Halle, the son of a barber-surgeon. At first his
father wanted him to pursue law instead of music; eventually, his father
relented and allowed him to study under Zachau, the local organist at St Michael's
Church.
When his father died in 1703, he abandoned the
study of law and became a violinist at Keiser's Opera House in Hamburg. He completed
the opera Almira (started by Keiser
in 1705) and Nero.
From 1706
to 1710, he visited Italy.
He was inspired by these travels through meetings with Archangelo Corelli and Alessandro
Scarlatti that he was able to write a number of oratorios and operas to
Italian styles of composition. His first opera Almira was performed in Hamburg
in 1705. In 1710,
Handel was appointed Kapellmesiter to the Elector of Hanover Court
(the future George I of England). The following year, he performed the opera Rinaldo in London. It was a huge
success that Handel decided to move to England, at the same time he composed
the operas Il pastor fido, Sila and Amadigi.
Handel established his popularity in England with such works as the Water Music Suite written for George I. The king gave him a life pension of six hundred pounds. The following year, he became musical director to the Duke of Chandos, as well as director of the Royal Academy of Music at the King's. He wrote some operas, anthems, solo sonatas, and suites for the harpsichord specifically for the Royal Academy of Music until the theatre closed in 1728.
Handel established his popularity in England with such works as the Water Music Suite written for George I. The king gave him a life pension of six hundred pounds. The following year, he became musical director to the Duke of Chandos, as well as director of the Royal Academy of Music at the King's. He wrote some operas, anthems, solo sonatas, and suites for the harpsichord specifically for the Royal Academy of Music until the theatre closed in 1728.
Handel became a British subject in 1726. Within fifteen years, Handel had started three commercial opera companies to supply the English nobility with Italian opera. As Alexander's Feast (1736) was well received, Handel made a transition to English choral works. The English-language oratorio Messiah (HWV 56) was composed in 1741, with a scriptural text compiled by Charles Jennens from the King James Bible, and from the Coverdale Psalter. It was first performed in Dublin on 13 April 1742 and received its London
premiere nearly a year later. After an initially modest public reception, the Messiah gained in popularity, eventually becoming one of the best-known and most frequently performed choral works today, particularly for Christmas or Easter celebration.
Handel composed more than forty opera serias in over thirty years. Born the same year as Johann Sebastian Bach and Domenico Scarlatti, Handel is regarded as one of the greatest composers of the Baroque era, with works such as Messiah and later oratorios Samson (1743), Belshazzar (1745), Judas Maccabaeus (1747), and Jephtha (1752) Water Music, and Music for the Royal Fireworks remaining steadfastly popular. His other works include the pastoral Acis and Galatea (1718) and a set of variations for harpsichord that were later nicknamed ‘The Harmonious Blacksmith’.
One of his four coronation anthems, Zadok the Priest (1727), composed for the coronation of George II, has been performed at every subsequent British coronation, traditionally during the sovereign's anointing. Another of his English oratorios, Solomon (1748), has also remained popular, with the Sinfonia that opens act 3 (known more commonly as "The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba") featured at the 2012 London Olympics opening ceremony. Since the late 1960s, with the revival of Baroque music and historically informed musical performance, interest in Handel's operas has grown.
After Messiah he never composed an Italian opera again. His last major public success came in 1749 with the suite for wind instruments, to accompany the Music for the Royal Fireworks in Green Park. Having lived in England for nearly fifty years, he became totally blind in 1751 and passed away on April 14, 1759, a well-respected and rich man. His funeral was given full state honours, buried in Westminster Abbey in London.
Handel composed more than forty opera serias in over thirty years. Born the same year as Johann Sebastian Bach and Domenico Scarlatti, Handel is regarded as one of the greatest composers of the Baroque era, with works such as Messiah and later oratorios Samson (1743), Belshazzar (1745), Judas Maccabaeus (1747), and Jephtha (1752) Water Music, and Music for the Royal Fireworks remaining steadfastly popular. His other works include the pastoral Acis and Galatea (1718) and a set of variations for harpsichord that were later nicknamed ‘The Harmonious Blacksmith’.
One of his four coronation anthems, Zadok the Priest (1727), composed for the coronation of George II, has been performed at every subsequent British coronation, traditionally during the sovereign's anointing. Another of his English oratorios, Solomon (1748), has also remained popular, with the Sinfonia that opens act 3 (known more commonly as "The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba") featured at the 2012 London Olympics opening ceremony. Since the late 1960s, with the revival of Baroque music and historically informed musical performance, interest in Handel's operas has grown.
After Messiah he never composed an Italian opera again. His last major public success came in 1749 with the suite for wind instruments, to accompany the Music for the Royal Fireworks in Green Park. Having lived in England for nearly fifty years, he became totally blind in 1751 and passed away on April 14, 1759, a well-respected and rich man. His funeral was given full state honours, buried in Westminster Abbey in London.
Photo Credit:
G. F. Handel. (Accessed from Karadar.com, Feb 23, 2009). Public Domain
Resources:
1. The Grove Concise Dictionary of Music, edited by Stanley Sadie. George Frideric Handel. London. Macmillan Publishers. 1994.
2. The Oxford Companion to Music, edited by Alison Latham. George Frideric Handel. Oxford. OUP. 2002
3. Wikipedia. George Frideric Handel. Accessed February 23, 2009.
(c) February 2009. Updated February 23, 2020. Tel. Inspired Pen Web. All rights reserved.
1. The Grove Concise Dictionary of Music, edited by Stanley Sadie. George Frideric Handel. London. Macmillan Publishers. 1994.
2. The Oxford Companion to Music, edited by Alison Latham. George Frideric Handel. Oxford. OUP. 2002
3. Wikipedia. George Frideric Handel. Accessed February 23, 2009.
(c) February 2009. Updated February 23, 2020. Tel. Inspired Pen Web. All rights reserved.
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