Thanks to patrons such as Richard Boyle, 3 rd Earl of Burlington and James Brydges, 1 st Duke of Chandos, Handel became house composer at Cannons, the palace grounds outside of London owned by the Chandos Family. (An advantageous move, as George would soon become, through a twist of fate, the King of England.) Handel would spend much of his time on leave visiting Britain, before relocating there permanently in 1712. The opera embargo provided an opportunity to write the first of his many oratorios, Il Trionfo del Tempo e del Disinganno.Ī return to Germany resulted in a two year appointment as Kapellmeister for George, Elector of Hannover. Instead, Handel focused on writing sacred music, including Dixit Dominus, as well as sharpening his skills in the Italian style of composition.
#George frideric handel compositions series#
Upon his father’s death, Handel discontinued his law school studies and embarked on a series of music related jobs as a church organist and violinist in regional opera houses.įollowing early recognition of his first operas, Handel accepted an invitation from the Grand Duke of Tuscany to relocate to Italy where, ironically, opera was banned for a short period of time. Though not raised in a musical family, despite discouragement by his father from making music a serious vocation, he became a virtuoso keyboardist and violinist. Handel was born in the town of Halle five weeks prior to the birth of fellow German composer Johann Sebastian Bach. Handel’s music influenced fellow giants Bach, Beethoven, and Mozart, permeating throughout society and remaining a part of the fabric of modern culture, particularly in Great Britain.
His vast repertoire includes such immortal works as Water Music, Music for the Royal Fireworks, and perhaps the most famous oratorio of all time, Messiah, the holiday favorite featuring the celebrated “Hallelujah” chorus. A composite of European influences, German born Handel spent much of his adult life in London, while his compositions often drew from French and Italian Baroque influences resulting in one of the most highly lauded oeuvres in the annals of classical music. In the pantheon of classical composers, there is surely a place where George Frideric Handel resides.
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