George Frideric Handel 1685 – 1759 (Baroque Period)

Born in Halle, Germany February 23, 1685

He taught himself to play the clavichord by age 7.

Handel’s father did NOT want him to be a musician! He wanted George to be a

He had to smuggle a clavichord into the attic and practice without his father knowing Sometimes when he should have been in bed.

A duke heard young George play and made his father promise to provide a music education for George.

He also learned to play... Harpsichord Organ Violin Oboe

At age 25 he moved to England to write music for the Royal Family. The Water Music The Royal Fireworks Music

Invented the English Oratorio - a long work for chorus, soloists, and orchestra.

His most famous oratorio is The Messiah, featuring “The Hallelujah Chorus”

The King stood up during the “Hallelujah Chorus”, so everyone else did, too. Now, it’s tradition to stand for the “Hallelujah Chorus”!

He was blind for the last 6 years of his life.

He is buried in “Poet’s Corner” at London’s Westminster Abbey.

“Handel is the greatest composer who ever lived. I would bare my head and kneel at his grave.” ~Ludwig Van Beethoven