George Frederic HandelPresented by Shaun Oaks

Overview

•I have chosen to present on Handel because I grew up listening to his music, particularly at Christmas time

•Biography is organized as follows:▫Handel’s upbringing▫Handel’s time in Italy▫Handel’s time in England▫Handel’s death

Handel’s Upbringing

•Born February 24, 1685 in Germany•Began composing music at the age of 9!•His father wanted him to be a lawyer and

sent him to law school•In 1703, Handel left law school and

become a violinist in the local opera house

•Composed his first opera, Almira, in 1705

Handel Abroad

•Began his studies abroad in Italy (1707-1709)

•Created 2 operas while in Florence, Rodrigo and Agrippina

•Created 2 oratorios while in Rome, La Rsurrezione and Il Trionfo del Tempo

•Became the Kapellmeister to George I of England

•Many would say Handel matured as a musician in Italy, but created his best work in England

Handel Abroad (England)• Went to London in 1710 and was paid 200

pounds a year as Kapellmeister• Composed his famous opera, Rinaldo, in 1711• In 1720, Handel was appointed the head of

the Royal Academy of Music• Handel stayed to true to the Italian opera, as

opposed to the English opera and the Opera of Nobility was created to contend with Handel

• In 1737, Handel’s opera house went bankrupt due to the competition with the Opera of Nobility

Handel Abroad (England cont.)• In 1741, Handel’s last opera, Deidamia, was

performed•Handel then turned to religious music and

wrote the Messiah in Dublin in 1742•While on a trip to Italy in 1751, he began to go

blind•Played his last oratorio, Jeptha, in Italy in 1751•Handel died in London on April 14, 1759•He is now buried in the poet’s corner at

Westminster Abbey

Summary

•Handel composed 20 oratorios, 40 operas, and composed the Messiah

•Learning more about Handel has given me greater respect and appreciation for his work

Music for the Royal Fireworks: Ouverture•Written for the royal fireworks display to

celebrate the end of the war of the Austrian Succession in 1748

•King George was very particular about the music and requested that there be no string instruments

•This was difficult for Handel, but he composed a special part for the millitary brass band

Music for the Royal Fireworks:Overture Cont.•Handel was not able to reveal his

masterpiece as planned▫April 27, 1748, the night of the fireworks, a

pavilion burned down and the fireworks were a disaster

•Handel first unveiled his masterpiece for a charity event at the Founding Hospital of London

•It is still considered one of the most favorite pieces of music composed by Handel

Messiah: Glory to God

•Handel wrote the Messiah in Dublin, Ireland in 1741

•The Messiah was composed in a remarkably short amount of time▫Received the text from Jennen’s on the

August 22nd

▫Believed that he completed the outline by August 28th

▫It was production ready by September 14, 1741

Messiah: Glory to God

•On the last page, Handel wrote SDG, meaning To God alone the glory

•Though the Messiah was finished, it was not featured in the next two concert series containing Handel’s works

•The Messiah was finally shared with the world on April 13, 1742 in Dublin

•700 were in attendance at its premiere and it was a huge success

Listening Guide: Overture

•The piece begins very strong, with impressive harmony of the brass instruments

•Strong trumpet solo slows down the rhythm

•There are simple repetitions of each instrument, adding to the form of the piece, and they continue to be in perfect harmony

•Flute solo keeps the tempo and helps to tie the rest of the instruments together

Listening Guide: Overture Cont.

•The rhythm speeds up and there is a strong dynamic

•There is good contrast between the trumpets and the bass and the rhythm speeds up. The timbre is rich

•Handel strategically placed instruments to get the sound he wanted

•Strings slow down the rhythm. The texture is rich and sounds pleasant.

Listening Guide: Overture Cont.

• Brass instruments play short notes, keeping the rhythm fast, while the strings do longer notes

• Rhythm slows and creates a nice contrast and different texture then previously heard

• Rhythm speeds back up, timbre between the brass and the bass is different and distinct

• Left and right set of brass section play 3 second repetitions, while middle keeps the rhythm and adds texture

• Final melody is played with a strong ending fading into silence

Listening Guide: Glory to God

•Soft rapid violins and blends with a woman singing to create a nice harmony

•Violins slow and choir comes in singing creating a nice dynamic and harmony

•Bass comes in and rhythm slows to about twice as fast.

•Male and female singers as well as violinists combine to form a nice contrast

Listening Guide: Glory to God Cont.

•Melody shines through as violins join together

•Melody is repeated one last time and the rhythm changes to slower and softer, eventually ending in silence.

Bibliography

• allegrobaroque. allegrobaroque.org. 16 July 2011 <http://www.allegrobaroque.org/index.php?page=fireworks_history>.

• anotherthink. anotherthink.com. 15 July 2011 <http://www.anotherthink.com/contents/movies_books_music/20051218_handels_messiah_a_brief_history.html>.

• Bowl, Hollywood. Hollywood-Bowl. 15 July 2011 <http://www.hollywoodbowl.com/philpedia/piece-detail.cfm?id=2730>Classical-Music-Opera.com. Classical-Music-Opera.com. 15 July 2011 <http://classical-music-opera.com/george-frederic-handel/history-timeline.html>.

• Estrella, Espie. about.com. 16 July 2011 <http://musiced.about.com/od/baroque/p/handel.htm>.

• Kandell, Jonathan. Smithsonian magazine, December 2009. 16 July 2011 <http://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/The-Glorious-History-of-Handels-Messiah.html>.

• MUSICIANS, BAROQUE COMPOSERS AND. BAROQUE COMPOSERS AND MUSICIANS. 15 July 2011 <http://www.baroquemusic.org/bqxhandel.html>.

• notes, 8. 8notes.com. 15 July 2011 <http://www.8notes.com/biographies/handel.asp>.