George Frederick Handel (1685–1759) was a German composer of the Baroque period. He was born in Germany in the same year as J.S. Bach. He studied composition and organ with Friedrich Wilhelm Zachow. Handel’s aesthetical views were strongly influenced by Joseph Mattheson.
In 1702 Händel accepted the post of organist at the Protestant cathedral in Halle, in 1703 taking the posts of a violinist and then of a composer of the Hamburg opera. In 1706-1710 he perfected his musical techniques in Italy. During the years 1710-1716 he was the court Kappelmeister in Hannover. He frequently traveled to London starting from 1712, and during the years 1717-1759 he lived in England, becoming a British citizen in 1727.
During the course of his entire creative development Handel wrote music in instrumental genres. However, the success of the opera “Rinaldo (1711, London) established Handel’s reputation of being one of the greatest opera composers in Europe. Especially successful was Handel’s work at the Royal Academy of Music in London. The composer devoted the last decade of his creative activities to the composition of monumental oratorios based on Biblical subjects and their interpretation in English poetry.
Being an artist of the period of the Enlightenment, Handel summarized the achievements of Baroque music and paved the way for the emergence of Classicism in music.
His compositions include operas, including “Rinaldo,” “Julius Caesar,” “Tamerlane” and “Xerxes;” oratorios, including “Saul,” “Israel in Egypt,” “Messiah” and “Samson;” cantatas, psalms, concerti grossi, orchestral suites, including “Water Music,” “Music for the Royal Fireworks;” organ concertos and piano suites.
