Meet a Composer: Handel

 Meet a Composer: Handel

George Frederick Handel

Years Lived: 1685-1759

Period: Baroque

Country: Germany (birthplace), Britain (naturalized in 1727)

George Frederick Handel was a Baroque composer who is now probably most well-known for writing The Messiah (which includes the famous Hallelujah Chorus!) and The Water Music Suite. He lived and was composing around the same time as J.S. Bach. 

Handel was born in Germany at a time where music was generally only enjoyed by the upper class (which Handel was not). Although Handel had an early interest in music, his father did not allow it because he felt music was not a suitable way to make money. He wanted Handel to become a lawyer. Fortunately Handel's mother did not feel the same way and encouraged him. Handel would practice in secret so his father wouldn't find out—practicing his mini organ in the attic quietly once everyone was asleep. 

Handel was seen performing organ by Friedrich Wilhelm Zachow, who invited him to study organ. Under Zachow's instruction, Handel learned how to compose for organ among other instruments. From there he went on to Italy where he played violin and learned the Italian musical style which would end up greatly influencing his composition style. 

Handel composed 42 operas, 26 oratorios (including his most famous composition The Messiah), over 100 cantatas, 28 concertos, 40 sonatas, and over 100 keyboard works! He was very prolific composer!

Did You Know?

• After Handel died he was given a full state funeral which 3,000 people attended. He is buried in London's Westminster Abbey.
• During Messiah performances, the audience often stands when the Hallelujah Chorus is played. This tradition may have started because at the Messiah's premiere, King George III stood up, probably out of respect for such a great masterpiece, and when the King stood it was proper etiquette that everyone else would also stand. 
• After a quarrel with his friend Johann Matteson, who was also a composer, the two dueled and Handel could have been killed. Fortunately, Mattheson's sword hit a large button on Handel's clothing, which prevented the sword from actually stabbing Handel. The two men did get over their disagreement and were friends the rest of their lives until Handel's death.
• Handel was well-respected by many other great composers. Bach said Handel "is the only person I would wish to see before I die and the only person I would wish to be were I not Bach" and Beethoven said "Handel was the master of us all….the greatest composer that ever lived. I would uncover my head and kneel before his tomb."

Read this short biography from Classics for Kids about Handel and then listen to the Classics for Kids podcasts about Handel. This podcast includes music from nine of his well-known works and this podcast tells the story of Handel's famous Water Music.

This Classic FM's article includes 15 pictures and facts about Handel, including a picture of his secret clavichord and the sword that almost killed Handel.

Check out HCPSS music teacher Brian Gossard's fun rap about Handel that includes a made-up conversation of what Handel and Mozart could have said to one another if they had met.

 

The very well-known Hornpipe from Handel's Water Music is performed by
Festspiel Orchester Göttingen at the Handel Festival which has been held in Germany every year since 1920. 

Listen to members of the Columbia Orchestra and tenor Min Jin perform Evr’y Valley Shall By Exalted from The Messiah from our most recent Holiday Concert (minute 28:28).