Handel and His Music

we're listening to a March written by George Frederick handle often called Mr Handle of London for London is the city where he lived most of his life and so in London we find many reminders of the composer here is his London Home St Paul's Cathedral where he woried and St James the Palace of his Royal patrons Royal and families were the main supporters of music during the 18th century George Frederick handle was perhaps one of the greatest composers patronized by 18th century [Music] nobility the music of the time handle's music reflected their Noble stately way of life their classically styled homes and their formal Gardens in some ways the music of handle can be compared to this formal 18th century Garden it is music with a definite pattern symmetrical evenly balanced the pattern is a classic one derived from ancient Greek and Roman models to the classic pattern of music music has been added a great deal of musical ornamentation sweeping flourishes and intricate [Music] harmonies this music based on classical structure with added ornamentation is called Baroque music handle's compositions are written in this Baroque style a fondness for historical pageantry is another feature of the music of handle listen to this Noble passage from a composition called The Water Music written for royalty such music expresses the color and pageantry of Royal [Music] London [Applause] [Music] [Applause] this music of pump and ceremony is taken from a suite a collection of short musical pieces handle used the classic ornamented Baroque style in many other musical forms he used it in operas based on classic Greek and Roman themes handle in the 18th century also used the Baroque style in the oratorio a religious music drama based on biblical texts from the old or new testament a third musical form with which handle worked was the mask the mask was a courtly entertainment much like a pageant with accompanying music andle wrote in a variety of other musical forms compositions for orchestra recital pieces for solo instruments contas and many more in all compositions melody was his chief concern to understand the works of this composer we must know something of his life a life that began in Germany of the late 17th century even as a child George Frederick loved to hear and play music but his father frowned upon this interest father handle lectured the boy music was a trade for Peddlers and Beggars especially in Germany where young handle was born in 1695 when handle was about 8 years old Germany was a collection of provinces or small kingdoms Each of which had its own capital city and Monarch handle lived in the province of Saxony in the town of holid vion Fels was the town where the dukee of the province held court on a visit to vion Fels young George filled with excitement accompanied father [Music] handle at the court he would hear [Music] music their trip took them through many 17th century jour Villages where music was looked upon as [Music] frivolous but for the German nobility music was an essential part of Court life arriving at weisenfels Young handle must have watched the courtiers and listened carefully to their elegant Court music music such as he himself would later write the Duke of tyon Fels asked that the child be presented at court he had heard of the boy's great musical talents the Duke was much impressed with the [Music] youngster despite the protests of Father handle the Duke insisted that he be allowed to provide for the boy musical education finally father handle agreed under experienced teachers the boy handle learned the fundamentals of classical composition as the years passed he learned to compose in the light gay manner of France and in the heavier style of his native Germany he wrote music for church and court but on a trip to Hamburg handle discovered a new musical form in hurg Opera was being performed performed by actors who wearing Splendid costumes and fine wigs sang and enacted dramas set to [Music] music in years to come the singing actor and the Opera would be raised to new heights by this composer but young handle had still a great deal to learn about vocal music what better place to learn than Italy home of vocal music for centuries in the City of Florence in palaces such as this Italian music music that was light and sunny was being played handle adapted this Italian style to his own music in compositions such as his delicate Italian contas these canatas mirror the spirit of Italy still under the influence of the Renaissance and blend beautifully with the art of this [Music] period Having learned the Italian manner of composition the composer left the courts of this country for the courts of his native Germany here at Hanover handle became Chief musician to George the elector of Hanover who was to become king of England and continue to be the composer Royal Patron handle's life at Hanover was spent in teaching the children of the court and composing yet the composer was Restless he desired to write operas but there was no Opera at Hanover where might he find the opportunity to fulfill his desire [Music] London 18th century London a city of change of expanding business [Music] activity literary activity [Music] and most important to handle expanding musical activity London became his home in this city he lived and composed his music first there were operas his home was often the scene of Opera rehearsals as the composer accompanied his Singers Let's listen to a recitative from one of handle's most famous operas juliia Caesar the words are sung in Italian [Music] [Music] for for years handle's operas and the Italian style were immensely popular but by the 1730s the composer was nearly bankrupt the public no longer wanted classical Italian operas religious leaders had condemned handle staging of operas dealing with religious subjects was bankruptcy to be the end of this composer's musical career now handle worked feverishly on a different musical form the form with which we associate his name today the [Music] oratorial the Perfection of the oratorial a dramatic story based on a Biblical text and set to music without stage action is one of the greatest contributions ever made to the world of Music it was the contribution of George Frederick handle handle's reputation was restored with the composition of his first oratorio Esther others follow Saul Judas macabus Israel in Egypt and perhaps the most familiar and beloved of all or roros [Music] Messiah the stirring solo Aras and magnificent choruses of this great religious work appeal to All Peoples of all Nations and all times who of us does not respond to the reverent joyful chorus of Hallelujah [Music] Hall [Music] Messiah is filled with Majestic graceful Melody fashioned in the Baroque style it is music that communicates quickly and to all it is the music of a master composer George Frederick handle hallelujah hallelujah hallelu hallelujah