George Frederick Handel

Georg & Dorothea Handel

• George Frederick Handel

• February 23, 1685

• Halle, Germany

First Years

• Showed deep interest in music

• Father wouldn’t allow it

• Forbidden to own instruments

• Expected to study law

Young George

• Duke of Saxe-Weissenfels

• Age 7-9

• Played chapel organ

• Heard and recognized by the Duke

• Father agreed to music lessons

Instruction

• Friedrich Zachow

• Began composing at age 9– set of trios for oboes and harpsichord

Adolescence

• Age 12 father died

• Family faced financial difficulty

• Continued musical instruction

• Composed for church audiences until 17

• 1702- appointed organist for the Cathedral

Schooling

• Temporarily enrolled in law classes

• Love for music won

Hamburg

• 1702

• Hamburg Opera’s Goosemarket Theater

• Second Violinist

• 1704- Almira

• Nero, Der Beglükte Florindo and Die Verwandelte Daphne all lost

Italy

• 1706

• Home of opera

• Wrote his first Italian operas– Rodrigo- October 1707– Agrippina- December 1709

London

• Rinaldo

• Entertained English royalty

• 1726 became British Citizen

• Moved to oratorios

• The Messiah- 1742

The Messiah

• Completed in 24 days

• Based on biblical events

• Intended as an Easter offering

• Performed April 13, 1742

• Audience of 700

• 2 hours to perform

• Now performed at Christmas

For Unto Us a Child is Born

• Isaiah 9:6

• approximately 4 minutes & 10 seconds

• Orchestra & choir

For Unto Us a Child is BornListening Guide

• Quick tempo

• Energetic

• Repeated phrases

• 4 vocal parts vary in timing

Rejoice Greatly, O Daughter of Zion

• Zechariah 9:9

• Approximately 5 minutes

• Orchestra and a soprano soloist

Rejoice Greatly, O Daughter of ZionListening Guide

• Many staccato runs

• Orchestra and vocal exchange melody

• Tempo slows in middle of piece

• Joyful at beginning & end but solemn in middle

Hallelujah Chorus

• Revelation 19:6

• Revelation 19:16

• Revelation 11:15

• King stood when performed

• Today audience still rises

Hallelujah ChorusListening Guide

• Harmony and unison

• 4 vocal parts exchange melody

• Phrases repeated

• Fluctuating dynamics

Death

• Sickness struck during The Messiah

• Died April 14, 1759

• Age 74

• 3,000 attended funeral

BibliographyClassical-Music-Opera.com. (2005). George Frederic Handel. Retrieved from Classical-

Music-Opera.com: http://classical-music-opera.com/george-frederic-handel/life-biography.html

George Handel Biography. (2012). Retrieved from Bio: http://www.biography.com/people/george-handel-9327378?page=1

Handel’s Birth and Childhood. (2009). Retrieved from Handel Music: http://www.handel-music.com/england.html#lifeofhandel

George Frederic Handel and the Story of the Hallelujah Chorus . (2012). Retrieved from Piano Chords & Progressions: http://www.playpiano.com/wordpress/composers/george-frideric-handel-and-the-story-of-the-hallelujah-chorus

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Bibliography Continued

Kandell, J. (2009, December). The Glorious History of Handel's Messiah . Retrieved from Smithsonian.com: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/The-Glorious-History-of-Handels-Messiah.html?c=y&page=1

King James Version . (1987). The Holy Bible . Salt Lake City : The Church of Jesus Christ of Later-Day Saints.