Composer - Handel - p. 34-36 Flashcards
Years Handel Lived
1685-1759
Who was born in the same year as Handel and what year is that?
Handel and Bach were both born in 1685.
Where was Handel born?
Halle, Germany
What was Handel’s father’s job
Handel’s father was a successful barber-surgen.
Handel had a music teacher. What was the teacher’s name and what did Handel learn from this teacher?
Handel studied composition and keyboard techniques from Friedrich Wilhelm Zachow
What did Handel study in university?
Handel studied law in university. (Handel father did want want him to be a musician.)
When did Handel become a professional musician?
Handel pursued music professionially after his father’s death.
Describe Handel’s family background and education
Handel was born in Halle, Germany. His father was a successful barber-surgeon and did not want Handel to become a musician. Even though Handel’s father discouraged him to study music, Handel became very good as an organist and studied composition and keyboard techniques with Friedrich Wilhelm Zachow.
Handel studied law at University of Halle. He became a professional musician after his father’s death.
Years and careers at Hamburg
Hamburg - 3 years (1703-1706)
He was a violinist and harpsichordist in opera orchestras
Composed earliest operas: Almira and Nero
Years and careers in Italy
Italy - 4 years (1706-1710)
Handel absorbed the Itlian musical style and language; this is evident in operas, oratorios, and concertos
He visited major cities - Florence, Rome, Naples, Venice - where his works were performed.
Years and careers in Italy
Italy - 2 years (1710-1712)
- Handel was appointed Kapellmeister (music master) to George Ludwig, Elector of Hanover
- The Elector allowed Handel to travel to London. He visited twice and eventually stayed
Describe his early career 1712-1727
Handel’s first patron was Queen Anne. After her death, the Elector of Hanover (Handel’s former patron) became King George I and became Handel’s patron.
Handel cofounded The Royal Academy of Music to promote Italian operas in London. He composed, directed, and produced many operas during this period of time, including “Giulio Cesare (Julius Caesar), Tamerlano, Rodelinda, Alcina, and Serse.
He worked with famous singers such as Faustina Bordoni, Francesca Cuzzoni, and the great castrato Senesino.
After King George I died, he was hired to write music for the coronation of King George II.
He became a British subject.
Describe Handel’s career between 1728-1759.
In 1728, John Gay’s English ballad opera, the Beggar’s Opera, was so successful and popular that public grew tired of Italian opera.
Handel was unsure of his future but he handled his career well so he turned to other genres; oratorio, concerto, concerto grosso.
In 1742, Messiah was a huge success at a benefit concert in Dublin. Handel stopped writing operas and became very successful in writing English oratorios, which were cheaper to produce and more middle-class audiences like it
In 1753, he returned from public performance due to failing eyesight.
He never married and gave generously to charity.
He continued to compose in final years, even when blind.
He died April 14, 1959, famous and wealthy and buried in Westminster Abbey.
Describe the musical style and contributions of Handel
- international features - German counterpoint, Italian opera, French overture and English choral styles
- alternation of homorhythmic passsages (homophonic) with contrapuntal textures (polyphonic)
- used basic musical elemental (chordal passages, scale figures) make his music more accessible and appealing
- dramatic theatrical style through large gestures such as full SATB choral sounds and bold dynamic contrasts
- effective use of word painting (e.g. “Rejoice greatly” from Messiah)
- extended sequential writing (e.g. “…“he shall reign for ever and ever” from Hallelujah of Messiah).
(- sequential writing means repeating a passage at a
higher or lower pitch)
What genres did Handel composed?
Handel composed:
Orchestral,
Chamber,
keyboard,
operas,
oratorios and,
sacred vocal
