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.rvb
.ilhandel
Georg Friedrich Handel, b. 23 Feb.
1685 and d. 14 April 1759, received
considerably better press than his
contemporary J.S. Bach, even going as
far as the Court of England's George
I and, upon his death, being buried
among England's greatest in
Westminster Abbey.
Handel's musical career started
fairly early; at age 12, he was
assistant organist at the cathedral
of Halle, where he was born; then, he
followed this up in 1703 by playing
violin in the Hamburg orchestra,
which then was one of the most
prestigious in Germany.
Handel also traveled to Italy in
1706, where he composed many popular
works for his appreciative patrons in
such diverse cities as Rome and
Florence. Returning to Germany in
1710, the musical abilities he had
honed in Italy came out in force. His
opera Rinaldo, when performed in
England, was greeted with great
enthusiasm, and when his Hanover
employer became King of England, he
was granted English citizenship and a
permanent home in London in 1727.
Handel's later compositions,
while retaining their decidedly
Italian flair, became tempered by his
exposure to English chorales, and as
music director for the Royal Academy
(1719-28) and Second Academy
(1728-34), he became England's
leading operatic composer; in fact,
it is not overstating facts to say he
was probably the most important
operatic composer of the baroque age,
with such compositions as Tamerlano
(1724), Orlando (1733) and Serse
(1738).
Of course, Handel's oratorios
are far better known to us nowadays,
especially his Messiah, which was
fabled to have been written in only
twelve days (1741). His oratorios,
basically extended operettas, were
innovative for heavy use of choral
backing, especially in pieces such as
the Hallelujah Chorus. Handel also
created many works that were far, far
simpler, such as Largo, and these are
equally good illustrations of his
skill.
An all-around power composer,
Handel's achievements stand out as
one of the greats of the Baroque age.
.co2
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