George Friar Handel Essay

George Frideric Handel (1685-1759) was a German, later British conductor, organist, violinist and composer of the late Baroque era. Handel had been in many countries, which allowed him to absorbed aspects of German, Italian, French, and English styles. Italian opera had greatly influenced him and served as the central focus of his creative work. He spent most of his career in London and was known for his operas, oratorios, anthems, and instrumental compositions. He composed the most famous of all oratorios, Messiah, as well as many other pieces, include Water Music and Music for the Royal Fireworks.

George Frideric Handel was born in 1685 in Halle, Germany, as the son of Georg Händel, a prosperous barber-surgeon, and Dorothea Taust. At a
During these years, he composed his first two operas, Almira and Nero. From 1706 to 1710, Handel spent time traveling in Italy. He visited major cities - Florence, Rome, Naples, Venice, where his works were performed. His operas, oratorios, and concertos were greatly influenced by numerous Italia composers he met and the absorptions of aspects of Italian musical style and
His music absorbed international currents of the day: German counterpoint, Italian opera, French overture and English choral style. Handel’s musical style and contribution made him one of the greatest composer. He was able to make his style accessible and appealing through the use of basic musical elements such as chordal passages and scale figures. He was also able to interweave homorhythmic passages with contrapuntal sections in his music. The grandiose gestures in his music, such as full SATB choral sound, bold contrasts of dynamics, successfully conveyed a sense of pageantry and dramatic theatrical style. His ability to illustrate the text musically through the effective use of word painting and elaborating melodies through extended sequential writing was also remarkable. Handel's compositions include over 40 operas, close to 29 oratorios, more than 100 cantatas, chamber music, coronation anthems, odes and serenatas, suites, concerti grosso and organ concertos. His most famous oratorio, Messiah, along with other works such as Water Music, Music for the Royal Fireworks remained steadfast