Shirah Piano Studio pupil, Bela, earned a superior rating earlier this year in the Austin District Music Teacher Association's Publication Contest. Here is her article about George Frideric Handel.
George Frederic Handel, a Baroque composer, was born on February 23, 1685 in Halle, Germany. Born to a family with no musical history, Handel studied music and opera despite the lack of encouragement from his parents. Though his father was a barber-surgeon and wanted Handel to be a lawyer, Handel practiced secretly with a clavichord that his friend smuggled into the attic. Before his tenth birthday, Handel received music lessons from the local organist and learned the keyboard, oboe, and violin. Starting at an early age, Handel faced many challenges yet continued to compose music.
At the young age of 18, Handel traveled to Hamburg, the operatic center in Germany, and composed his first opera, Almira, in 1704. Handel then decided to go to Italy, the birthplace of operatic style, where he composed his first oratorio, or extended musical
composition, in 1707. It was in Italy where Handel composed Aggripina, his fifth opera, in Venice in 1709. Aggripina was meant for the carnival season in Venice, so he composed it from the Christmas of 1709 to 1710. At the end of 1710, Handel moved to London, where he would spend most of his life. In London, he became the music director to the elector of Hanover, who later became King George I in 1714. Handel performed the Water Music of 1716, written for a royal boat outing, and impressed the king. In 1719, Handel and a few others formed an opera company called the Royal Academy of Music. His musical efforts continued to pay off until a serious medical condition endangered his career.
Handel suffered a stroke in 1737 which threatened to ruin his career by resulting in temporary paralysis in his right arm and some loss of mental faculties, he kept composing, and in 1741, he produced his most famous piece, Messiah. Messiah
was originally an Easter offering, but was made a fixture of the Christmas season and in turn, a Christmas favorite. In 1741, Handel also composed his last opera, Deidamia, an amusing yet saddening piece, combines comic and tragic elements, making it one of the most interesting pieces Handel composed. His suffering did not end with his earlier paralysis, for further struggles were still ahead. In 1746, Handel composed Judas Maccabeus, his fastest composition, in just 32 days! Soon after, Handel composed Music for the Royal Fireworks, and 12,000 people attended his first performance. He was seriously injured in a carriage accident in the August of 1750 in the Netherlands. In the following year, one of his eyes started to fail due to an abnormality characterized by the transparency of lenses. However, Handel did not let his physical trauma affect his mental vigor, and led a peaceful life until his death in London on April 14, 1759. The last performance he heard was of his own piece, Messiah, only a week earlier. More than 3,000 people attended his funeral, which was given full state honors.
Handel was influenced by many people over the years and his legacy continues on even today. He got his vigor and grandeur from Germany, and his directness, clarity, and charm from England and Italy. Handel was also influenced by Henry Purcell, an English composer. Handel relied on dynamics and melody, contrasts of textures, and the Italian style. His music is vocally oriented, easy to perform, and his works helped lead the transition from the Baroque Era to the Classical Era. His work influenced others as well, as his grand themes were later used by Beethoven. In addition, most of Mozart’s church music and Mendelssohn’s oratorios were influenced by Handel. His compositions still influence people today as many modern-day musicals and ballets were once grand opera shows by Handel. A man of great willpower who would not let any obstacle prevent him from composing music, Handel created works of art that traveled throughout Europe and had a lasting impact on the musical culture of the Baroque Era.
Bibliography
http://www.8notes.com/school/history/handel.asp
http://www.nndb.com/people/946/000091673/
http://www.classicalarchives.com/handel.html#tvf=tracks&tv=about
http://www.answers.com/topic/george-frideric-handel
http://theclassicalreview.com/cds-dvds/2011/11/handel-agrippina/
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/28/arts/28iht-loomis28.html
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/The-Glorious-History-of-Handels-Messiah.html
http://ezinearticles.com/?Bach-And-Handel-(Their-Influence-On-Future-Composers)&id=1126027
listverse.com/2007/12/13/top-15-most-influential-classical-composers/
George Frederic Handel, a Baroque composer, was born on February 23, 1685 in Halle, Germany. Born to a family with no musical history, Handel studied music and opera despite the lack of encouragement from his parents. Though his father was a barber-surgeon and wanted Handel to be a lawyer, Handel practiced secretly with a clavichord that his friend smuggled into the attic. Before his tenth birthday, Handel received music lessons from the local organist and learned the keyboard, oboe, and violin. Starting at an early age, Handel faced many challenges yet continued to compose music.
At the young age of 18, Handel traveled to Hamburg, the operatic center in Germany, and composed his first opera, Almira, in 1704. Handel then decided to go to Italy, the birthplace of operatic style, where he composed his first oratorio, or extended musical
composition, in 1707. It was in Italy where Handel composed Aggripina, his fifth opera, in Venice in 1709. Aggripina was meant for the carnival season in Venice, so he composed it from the Christmas of 1709 to 1710. At the end of 1710, Handel moved to London, where he would spend most of his life. In London, he became the music director to the elector of Hanover, who later became King George I in 1714. Handel performed the Water Music of 1716, written for a royal boat outing, and impressed the king. In 1719, Handel and a few others formed an opera company called the Royal Academy of Music. His musical efforts continued to pay off until a serious medical condition endangered his career.
Handel suffered a stroke in 1737 which threatened to ruin his career by resulting in temporary paralysis in his right arm and some loss of mental faculties, he kept composing, and in 1741, he produced his most famous piece, Messiah. Messiah
was originally an Easter offering, but was made a fixture of the Christmas season and in turn, a Christmas favorite. In 1741, Handel also composed his last opera, Deidamia, an amusing yet saddening piece, combines comic and tragic elements, making it one of the most interesting pieces Handel composed. His suffering did not end with his earlier paralysis, for further struggles were still ahead. In 1746, Handel composed Judas Maccabeus, his fastest composition, in just 32 days! Soon after, Handel composed Music for the Royal Fireworks, and 12,000 people attended his first performance. He was seriously injured in a carriage accident in the August of 1750 in the Netherlands. In the following year, one of his eyes started to fail due to an abnormality characterized by the transparency of lenses. However, Handel did not let his physical trauma affect his mental vigor, and led a peaceful life until his death in London on April 14, 1759. The last performance he heard was of his own piece, Messiah, only a week earlier. More than 3,000 people attended his funeral, which was given full state honors.
Handel was influenced by many people over the years and his legacy continues on even today. He got his vigor and grandeur from Germany, and his directness, clarity, and charm from England and Italy. Handel was also influenced by Henry Purcell, an English composer. Handel relied on dynamics and melody, contrasts of textures, and the Italian style. His music is vocally oriented, easy to perform, and his works helped lead the transition from the Baroque Era to the Classical Era. His work influenced others as well, as his grand themes were later used by Beethoven. In addition, most of Mozart’s church music and Mendelssohn’s oratorios were influenced by Handel. His compositions still influence people today as many modern-day musicals and ballets were once grand opera shows by Handel. A man of great willpower who would not let any obstacle prevent him from composing music, Handel created works of art that traveled throughout Europe and had a lasting impact on the musical culture of the Baroque Era.
Bibliography
http://www.8notes.com/school/history/handel.asp
http://www.nndb.com/people/946/000091673/
http://www.classicalarchives.com/handel.html#tvf=tracks&tv=about
http://www.answers.com/topic/george-frideric-handel
http://theclassicalreview.com/cds-dvds/2011/11/handel-agrippina/
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/28/arts/28iht-loomis28.html
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/The-Glorious-History-of-Handels-Messiah.html
http://ezinearticles.com/?Bach-And-Handel-(Their-Influence-On-Future-Composers)&id=1126027
listverse.com/2007/12/13/top-15-most-influential-classical-composers/
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