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George Frederic Handel

George Frederic Handel was a German-born Baroque composer known for his oratorios and instrumental compositions. He received early musical training in Germany and worked as a composer in Hamburg as a teenager. Some of his major works include Messiah, Music for the Royal Fireworks, Rodelinda, and Jephtha. He helped popularize oratorios in English and broaden interest in music beyond aristocratic circles. Water Music is a famous orchestral work composed of three suites for an outdoor performance on the River Thames in 1717. It features catchy melodies and dances across different keys.

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Maurice Ghanem
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31 views2 pages

George Frederic Handel

George Frederic Handel was a German-born Baroque composer known for his oratorios and instrumental compositions. He received early musical training in Germany and worked as a composer in Hamburg as a teenager. Some of his major works include Messiah, Music for the Royal Fireworks, Rodelinda, and Jephtha. He helped popularize oratorios in English and broaden interest in music beyond aristocratic circles. Water Music is a famous orchestral work composed of three suites for an outdoor performance on the River Thames in 1717. It features catchy melodies and dances across different keys.

Uploaded by

Maurice Ghanem
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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George Frederic Handel (1685 – 1759)

Life
• Born in Germany, and received his early musical training from a local
organist.
• While still a teenager he worked as a composer in Hamburg.
• Developed his talent in the comic operas Rodrigo (1707) and Agrippina
(1709) and the psalm setting Dixit Dominus (1707).
• Became a kapellmeister (music director) in 1710 in Hanover (Germany).
• One year later he relocated in London for the rest of his life.
• Became famous with his oratorios, especially Messiah, and Music for the
Royal Fireworks.

Major Works
• Messiah
• Music for the Royal fireworks.
• Rodelinda
• Jephtha
• Water music

Innovation
• Handel created and popularized oratorios in English, Deborah (1733),
Messiah (1742).
• Helped to broaden interest in music beyond the confines of aristocracy and
created a national identity in an international style.

Water Music
Set of three suites of orchestra: suite in F major, suite in D major, suite in G major,
written for an outdoor performance for king George I on River Thames. in 1717
Characteristics
• Each movement is based on a dance style
• Catchy melodies and easy on the ear
• No particular order for the suites, but it’s generally agreed that the first is in
F major, second is in D major, and the third is in G major.
• Starts with a French-style overture

Instrumentation
• Flute
• 2 recorders
• 2 oboes
• 1 bassoon
• 2 horns
• 2 trumpets
• Strings
• Continuo

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