The Life and Music of
GEORGE FRIDERIC HANDEL
GEORGE FRIDERIC HANDEL
Well known for
“Messiah”
 “Water Music”
 Operas and Oratorios
 Great composer, organist, and violinist

HANDEL
Born in Halle, Germany in 1685. Died in London, England in 1759.
A Short History of his Youth
HANDEL’S MUSICAL BEGINNINGS
Born in Halle, Germany in 1685
 Father was a Barber-Surgeon
 Parents were not involved in music and wanted
Handel to study law
 Received musical instruction at the age of ten from
an organist that lived nearby
 First job as an organist in a church in Halle at 17

His Professional Life and Travels
HANDEL’S CAREER

ITALY AND ENGLAND
Soon after he moved to
Hamburg, Germany where he
compose his first opera,
“Almira” in 1704. This first
opera did very well and he
wanted more. He traveled
throughout Italy with some of it
greatest musicians. He started
to become quite famous. He
traveled back and forth from
Italy to England composing
operas until 1718.
HANDEL HOUSE
In London, the Handel House Museum is
where Handel lived from 1723 until his death
in 1759 and where he composed Messiah.
OPERAS

Handel started the Royal Academy of Music in
1719 under the support of the king. “Radamisto”
(1720) and “Rodelinda” (1725) were among
some of the operas he composed during this time.
He continued with opera until 1737 when his
opera houses failed. His last opera was
“Deidamia” (1741).
ORATORIOS

In the 1730s, Handel
began composing and
writing oratorios like
“Athalia” (1733) and
“Saul” (1739). In 1741,
he composed “Messiah”.
It was a huge hit and he
abandoned opera.
Full score in manuscript of Handel's oratorio
Israel in Egypt ca. 1760.

Handel composed around
two oratorios a year until
1751 when his eyesight
began to fail. The last
performance he heard was
his own “Messiah”.

Handel’s death mask and grave stone
Handel collapsed after
conducting a performance of
“Messiah” and died in
London in 1759. He is buried
in Westminster Abbey.
Johann Sebastian Bach

BAROQUE PERIOD COMPOSERS
Handel was compared very often
to his fellow countryman, Johann
Sebastian Bach, who was born only
a few weeks after him. But they
were both very different from
each other. Bach composed music
mostly for the church whereas
Handel composed for the public.
Bach was very religious and
Handel was more influenced by the
world. These two were the most
influential musicians of their time.

Handel’s music was originally
German based operas but his time
in Italy really changed his style. By
the end of his career, he was
composing oratorios exclusively
and instead of having them in
church (where oratorios where
usually performed) he always had
them on stage. He loved theater
and operas. His music is still some
of the most listened to classical
music.
Listening Guide and Composition History
THE COMPOSER
Autograph draft score of “Messiah”
HALLELUJAH CHORUS

Handel, in 1741, wrote “Hallelujah Chorus” from
“Messiah” while depressed and down. He started
reading some of Charles Jennens scripture texts.
Charles was the one who wrote his librettos. He
then wrote “Messiah” in about three weeks. It was
first performed in Dublin in 1742.
Hallelujah Chorus 4:13
0:00
0:09
1:27
1:37
2:53
3:56
Instrumental Introduction by cello and violin in the major key plays.
The chorus starts a sequence by singing “Hallelujah” five times in unison. .
The chorus sings in unison, “The kingdom of this world…” The trumpet and cello
play. The trumpet mirrors the voices but the cello mimics them. This is all carried out
at the pianissimo level with a conjunct, smooth, and soft flow.
There is an abrupt change in volume and a triumphant sound created by timpani,
violin, trumpet, and vocals singing “…the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ.”
Handel demonstrates his talent of word painting here. The phrase, “The kingdom of
this world…” is low and soft, while “…the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ.”
is high and loud.
“King of Kings” is belted out forte with gusto by the altos (end of crescendo
mentioned at 2:13) followed by “And Lord of Lords” sung in unison with the
sopranos. The timpani, violin, and trumpet are heard.
A suspenseful rest prepares the audience for a robust “Hallelujah” sung by the
chorus in a drawn-out dramatic augmentation. All instruments play out the last
“Hallelujah” beats. A drumroll bolsters a big finish.
HALLELUJAH CHORUS LISTENING GUIDE
Ev’ry Valley Shall be Exalted 3:31
0:00
The song begins with theme A in duple-simple meter.
0:55
There is word painting here also. Mountain is a high note and low is a low note.
1:01
The text “The crooked straight” introduces the B portion of the song and, “and the
rough places plain.” follows. There is again more word painting here as well. On
“crooked” the notes are in a wavy pattern and on “straight” the note is held out
and smooth.
1:40
Theme A is re-introduced with more of the same but some differences.
2:21
The phrase, “The crooked straight” brings theme B back. It is sung clearly.
2:46
There is a rest before the big finish.
3:06
At “plain” the violin and cello join in with the singer with it finally ending in a
slowed down adagio finish.
EV’RY VALLEY SHALL BE EXALTED LISTENING GUIDE
HORNPIPE

“Alla Hornpipe” from “Water Music” is one of
Handel’s compositions that is part of a suite. It was
played for King George I in 1717. The suite was
composed because of King George’s request for
a concert. “Alla Hornpipe” was played on a
barge on the river Thames in London, England. It is
rumored that the king enjoyed it so much that he
made the exhausted musicians perform it three
times.
Alla Hornpipe 3:09
0:00
Instruments open by playing in D major in unison. The tempo is moderato and
volume is forte. It is triple meter with simple division in a ternary ABA form.
0:08
The song becomes polyphonic when the viola and cello play in counterpoint.
0:23
The cello and viola join the violin and the melody is mimicked in semi-quick
exchanges beginning with the viola, then the cello, then the violin.
1:04
Theme 2 is introduced in B section by the violins and cello. There is a conjunct
countermelody performed in the minor key.
2:01
The song returns to theme 1 in D major. It is a repeat of the A section.
3:00
The composition ends with the instruments playing an augmented phrase with a
slow, concluding cadence.
HORNPIPE LISTENING GUIDE
LA REJOUISSANCE

“La Rejouissance” is part of the suite “Music for the
Royal Fireworks” composed by Handel in 1749. It
was written for George II of Great Britain for the
fireworks in London’s Green Park.
La Rejouissance 1:21
0:00
The organ plays a solo that is an allegro tempo and a mezzo-forte volume. The
meter is duple-simple.
0:17
The trumpet enters with the organ, playing a brilliant, echo-like sound contrasting
the muted quality of the organ. They play in counterpoint in a polyphonic texture.
The organ plays underneath as the trumpet draws most of the attention.
0:34
The organ plays solo. The tempo continues to be very fast paced.
0:41
There is a variation on the theme when the trumpet enters again only slightly softer
and transitions to mezzo-forte at 0:52. The organ also plays piano. The organ and
trumpet join in together at 0:52 after a short pause. The song is played in the
major key and has a majestic mood to it.
1:04
There is a loud trumpet sound with an emphasis on the downbeat adding variety
and interest.
1:09
Both instruments hold their last notes for a strong forte finish.
LA REJOUISSANCE LISTENING GUIDE
WORK CITED
Sony Music Entertainment. “Composers: George Frideric Handel”.
www.essentialsofmusic.com. W. W. Norton & Company 2001. Web.
26 May 2010. <
http://www.essentialsofmusic.com/composer/handel.html>
“Composers: G. F. Handel”. www.8notes.com. Web. 26 May 2010.
<http://www.8notes.com/school/history/handel.asp>
“George Frideric Handel Biography”. www.notablebiographies.com.
Encyclopedia of World Biography. Advameg, Inc. 2010. Web 26
May 2010. <http://www.notablebiographies.com/Gi-He/HandelGeorge-Frideric.html>
J. Lawrence Driskill . Christmas Stories From Around the World: Honoring
Jesus in Many Lands. Pasadena CA: Hope Publishing, 1997
MUSIC




“Hallelujah Chorus” from “Messiah” performed by Oregon
Bach Festival Choir and Orchestra from the The Life of
Christ album
“Ev’ry Valley Shall be Exalted” from “Messiah” performed
by New York Philharmonic from the Handel: Messiah
Highlights album
“Alla Hornpipe from “Water Music” performed by Lumiere
String Quartet from the Classical Wedding Music album
“La Rejouissance” from “Music for the Royal Fireworks”
performed by Hakan Hardenberger from The Art of The
Trumpet album