George Frederic Handel

            German composer born in Halle Germany on 23^rd February 1685 (The same year as Bach) He decided on a musical career much against his Father’s wishers. He wrote many works in the same form as Bach but he was most famous as a composer of Operas and Oratorios. (An Opera is a play set to music, while on Oratorio is a story of a religious mature which is sun) His greatest Oratorio is the messiah which is often sung at Christmas. At a performance of it, king Jorge iii had risen to his feet on hearing the Halleluiah chorus ever since then, it has became a tradition, to stand up for it.

            Although a German by birth, Handle settle in England where he has carried to Popularity and wealth. He too like Batch became blind at the time of his death on 14^th April 1750. He was buried in the west minister. Abbey among the English royalty.

His works include…

      Operas-                      

§         (About 38) Rodrigo

§         Almira

§         Rinaldo

§         Berenice.

      Oratorios-                   

§         (About 22) Messiah

§         Israel in Egypt

§         Judas, Maccabatus

      Church Music-

§         3 Coronations

§         Anthems

§         Funeral

§         Anthem for the death of Queen Caroline(1737)

  

      Orchestral Music-        

§         Water music

§         Fire works music

§         6 Concertos,

§         12 Organ  Concertos

      Chamber Music-         

§         Sonatas for flute, recorder, one and two violins,

2 oboes with keyboard accompaniment

      Keyboard-                  

§         17 suites

§         The harmonious black Smith (a set of variations)