Handel was born in a family who wasn’t really interested in music. He received critical musical training in Halle, Hamburg and Italy before settling in London and becoming a naturalized British subjust. By then he was strongly influenced by the great composers of the Italian Baroque and the middle-Ferman polyphonic choral tradition.
Handel is regarded as one of the greatest composers of all time. Water Music, Music for the Royal Fireworks and Messiah are amongst his most popular pieces of art. He composed over forty operas in 30 years!
To both Mozart and Beethoven he was the master of music! Mozart is reputed to have said of him, “Handel understands affect better than any of us. When he chooses, he strikes like a thunder bolt.” On the other hand, to Beethoven he was “the master of us all… the greatest composer that ever lived. I would uncover my head and kneel before his tomb”.
So cheers to Handel! The greatest composer of classic music of all times (according to Mozart and Beethoven, of course).
