GEORGE FRIDERIC HANDEL

CHILDHOOD

• George fridric Handel was born on a cold February in 1685 deep in the heart of Germany. His father was a barber surgeon for the local duke and wanted him to study civil law

CHILDHOOD

• During his lifetimes Handel composed nearly 30 oratorios and close to 50 operas. At least 30 of those operas were written for the royal academy of music
• When Handel was still a young boy, he had the opportunity to play the organ for the duke’s court in weissenfels. It was there that Handel met composer and organist Fridric Wihelm Zachow. Zachow was impressed with handles potential and invited Handel to become his pupil

HANDEL’S CAREER

• In 1710, he became kapellmeister to the elector of Hanover, a German nobleman who was also the heir to the throne of England (and would be crowned king George I in 1714) after the death of the childness queenanne)
• Handel received his training in Halle and worked as a composer in Hamburg and Italy before settling in London in 1712, where he spent the bulk of his career and became a naturalised British subject in 1727

NAMES OF FAMILY MEMBERS

• Family: Father: Georg Händel Mother: Dorothea Taust Siblings: Anna Barbara Händel, Christoph Händel, Dorothea Elisabet Händel, Dorothea Sophia Händel, Gottfried Händel, Johanna Christiana Händel, Karl Händel, Sophia Rosina Händel

WHY HANDEL MOVED

• After a year, Handel was unhappy studying law. He decided to stop studying law and become a musician. He became organist at the Protestant Cathedral in Halle. The next year he moved to Hamburg where he got a job as violinist and harpsichordist in the orchestra of the opera-house.

WHO HANDEL MARRIED

• Handel never married, and was a private person. His initial will bequeathed the bulk of his estate to his niece Johanna, however four codicils distributed much of his estate to other relations, servants, friends and charities.

WATER MUSIC

• Water music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kuw8YjSbKd4

HALLELUJAH CHORUS

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usfiAsWR4qU

The arrival of the Queen of Sheba

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TGKJ9MgCOQ

HISTORY OF THE HALLELUJAH CHORUS

• Handel composed Messiah without getting much sleep or even eating much food. When his assistants brought him his meals, they were often left uneaten. His servants would often find him in tears as he composed. When he completed “Hallelujah,” he reportedly told his servant, “I did think I did see all Heaven before me, and the great God Himself seated on His throne, with His company of Angels.”

HISTORY OF THE HALLELUJAH CHORUS

• Although the first performance in Dublin on April 13, 1742, was a huge success, Messiah wasn’t met with the same excitement in London the following season. Six scheduled performances were cancelled by Handel in 1743, Messiah was completely removed from the 1744 schedule, and it wasn’t performed in London until 1749

HISTORY OF THE HALLELUJAH CHORUS

• In 1910 the Tabernacle Choir made its first recordings, which included the “Hallelujah” chorus; this was most likely the first recording of Messiah music outside of England. It was also the first recording of a Messiah piece to use an established choir, as all early recordings were made using temporary choirs comprised of provisional singers.

HISTORY OF THE HALLELUJAH CHROUS

• Text for “Hallelujah” comes from the book of Revelation in the New Testament. Revelation 19:6: “Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent .” Revelation 19:16: “And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.” Revelation 11:15 reads, “And he shall reign for ever and ever.”

HISTORY OF THE HALLELUJAH CHORUS

• Some believe the king was so moved by the music that he stood up to show his reverence. And, since it was considered good etiquette to stand when the king stood, the audience had to follow suit