George Frederick Handel

George Frideric Handel (b. 1685) was the most successful composer of the Baroque era who combined his prodigious capabilities as a composer with an acute financial and marketing sense. Born in Saxony, he travelled first to Italy where he became famous for his cantatas and his instrumental skills – matching Domenico Scarlatti in a famous keyboard 'duel'.

Sensing business opportunities Handel moved to London in 1710 where he composed many of his greatest operas. Handel was also commissioned by the newly installed Hanoverians to write ceremonial music resulting in such masterpieces as the Water and Fireworks Music and the Coronation Anthems. With the failure of his opera schemes he switched to writing oratorios, which brought him his greatest successes and his most popular work, Messiah. At his death in 1759 Handel was eulogized as no other composer had been before. He had become a naturalized British subject in 1727.

Key works: Concerti Grossi Op. 3, Concerti Grossi Op. 6, Music for the Royal Fireworks, Water Music, Alexander's Feast, Acis and Galatea, Israel in Egypt, Judas Maccabeus, Messiah, Saul, Guilo Cesare, Rinaldo, Semele, Serse

Key Artists: James Bowman; Christopher Hogwood; Emma Kirkby; Neville Marriner; Trevor Pinnock, Simon Preston

Influenced by: Palestrina; Purcell

Influenced: Haydn; Mozart; Beethoven; Brahms etc.