George Frideric Handel
(1685 - 1759)

George Frideric Handel was born at Halle in Lower Saxony whilst Johann Sebastian Bach was also born in 1685 at Eisenach in Thuringia, about one hundred miles from Halle. Both composers came from similar North German middle class stock and were raised with the same North German Protestant beliefs. Whilst Bach lived his life exclusively in Germany and died at Leipzig in 1850, Handel became a much travelled man of the world, equally at home in the company of the aristocracy and the prosperous middle classes.

After experiencing great parental displeasure over music during his childhood, Handel became a violinist in the opera orchestra at Hamburg. At the age of twenty one, he left and went to Italy, where he gained an excellent reputation as a performer on the harpsichord and organ. Handel also became heavily influenced by Italian music, a style which is evident throughout his later work.

Subsequently, he became director of music to the Elector of Hanover, but Handel soon left for England. Ironically, the Elector became King of England a few years later. During 1717 and 1718, Handel was more or less composer in residence to James Brydges, who was created the first Duke of Chandos in 1719.

After largely declining in popularity during the second half of the nineteenth century, Handel’s music underwent a considerable revival in German theatres during the early twentieth century. Along with two or three other oratorios which remained popular, Messiah has proved to be the most enduring and greatest of Handel’s compositions.

Beethoven said “Go and learn of Handel how to achieve great effects with simple means.” After hearing the Hallelujah Chorus in Westminster Abbey, Haydn rose to his feet, wept and exclaimed “He is the master of us all.” Described by some critics as “a magnificent opportunist”, there is unquestionably a nobility and presence to Handel’s music.

Although he could be quick tempered at times, Handel used his music to assist charitable causes on many occasions throughout his lifetime, in much the same way as his music has been used countless times since his death. Handel was a sincere Christian who became a British subject in 1726. His naturalization petition settles on the fourth and final form of Handel for his surname, although he had previously been known by three other forms and his family had spelt their surname in at least fifteen different ways, and Frideric for his second Christian name.

At sixty, Handel’s health began to decline and, eight years later, his eyesight was lost after an operation carried out by a travelling oculist. Handel died six years later and was buried with high honours in Westminster Abbey.