Essay Sample on George Fredrick Handel

George Fredrick Handel is a composer whose music was prevalent on royal occasions. Due to his skills, Queen Anne requested that he composes the Te Deum and Jubilate, which were tunes to be used during the Peace of Utrecht national celebrations. He was later chosen by George II to compose anthems for the coronation of the latter. With time, his skills were not only a preserve of royalty but for the public. In 1734, he wrote the anthems for the wedding of Princess Anne and Frederick, and the Prince of Wales later in 1736. Ideally, George Handel became one of the most celebrated composers due to his ability to create music that resonates with every individual in London. Despite being born German, Queen Anne and the subsequent leaders of the monarchy ensured that he took part in the activities of the United Kingdom. George also ensured that he maintained a private life, and much of what was in the public domain was his career, and it is why his skills are what he is remembered for by most people in the musical sphere.

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Born in 1685 to a family that forbade musical instruments, George taught himself some of his skills. His father was a barber-surgeon who was flourishing in his private practice in the city of Halle. By the time George was five, he had played the clavichord, and his talent manifested when they had gone to visit his half-brother in Weissenfels. The Duke was impressed by his abilities, and he recommended that the young Handel be allowed to merge music with his other studies. Under Wilhem Zachow, Handel made significant progress, and he developed his skills under the senior composer and performer in Germany. By the time Handel was twelve, he was an excellent composer, which allowed him to get better opportunities in Berlin.

In 1701, while in Berlin, Friedrich, the King of Prussia, recognized his talent and insisted on taking him to service to witness his musical training. However, the Hanle family could not take the King’s offer since it would take away the independence of the composer. Handel was also following in the footsteps of his father and half-brother, who had managed to retain freedom and flexibility in their court engagements. There was also precedence where a person engaged in the King’s service could not leave. The individual had to remain in it as per the kingdom. George learned that his liberty and independence are essential, and it is why he opted out of any engagements which involved taking any huge offers from persons of great distinction.

By the time he was 19, he had received an invitation by a Tuscan prince and settled in Florence. Between 1706 and 1708, he learned the Italian music styles, and he composed music for various members of the royal families spread across Rome. By this time, Handel was developing an interest in other languages such as French, which he used to do some of his work. He had also developed court etiquette from his father and brother, making his stay in Italy successful. In Italy, he performed operas such as Radamisto, Sosarme, Ariodante, and Berenice. Handel then took time between Rome, Naples, and Florence, where he performed operas for aristocratic audiences who commissioned him for more performances. The Duchess of Laurenzana was among the people who commissioned him to compose and perform during her niece’s wedding. While in Italy, he met Joseph Goupy, an excellent painter who became part of his life and career. Therefore, it is in Italy, where Handel enhanced his performance skills since he acquired a different language. These attributes would later be essential in his career since they allowed him to mingle with diplomats, and more royals and government officials.

Italy was significant to Handel’s career since he collected contacts and established other vital relationships. It is in Italy where Manchester noticed the uniqueness of the operas created in Italy. Consequently, Machester was allowed to import various artists from Italy by the Duchess of Marlborough. The primary purpose of importing these performers was to facilitate the first opera in Egland. Despite being in Italy for a different mission, Manchester brought Ricci and Antonio Pellegrini, who was engaged at the Queen’s Theatre and prepared the way for Handel. Ricci was instrumental to Josephy Guopy, and they would later help in tracing the life of Handel in Italy. His stay in this country allowed him to have access to London when George Ladwig was about to succeed in his mother on the British throne. The Elector of Hanover had hired him as a court composer after his impressive performance and opera composition (Harris, 2014). Therefore, his service to George was a matter of continuity of his service from the previous regimes. However, Handel ensured that the terms of his employment did not interfere with his liberty.

After he arrived in London, he collaborated with performers and artists from Italy. Lord Manchester had brought most of them, and his presence meant that he would displace the Eccles, who was the master of the Queen’s music. In February 1711, Handel’s music was performed for the Queen during her birthday. There were several leaders and members from royal families who were impressed by his skills. He was celebrated in London due to his strong opinions, which he felt did not have to resonate with the world. His performances in London came at a time when Italian operas were in high demand. However, Handel left London for Hanover to focus on his English skills. He returned to London in 1713, where he composed an opera for the celebration of the Queen’s birthday that year. After the Queen died in 1714, his performances became rare.

When George 1 arrived in London, he opted to continue the pension which Handel was receiving from the Queen before her death. Such payments would be a way to engage Handel in the service of the kingdom indirectly. By 1723, Handel’s pension had increased, and it came with the title ‘Composer of Musick for his Majesty’s Chappel Royal. He was also made the music master for the children within the court, and the same led to an increase in his income. With time, the Royal Treasury relieved him from restrictive patronage, which meant that he could experiment artistically. By 1740, he had financial freedom, and he could rely on box office receipts as a form of income. London is significant to his career since he spent much of his life exploring various aspects of his ability.

His life in London and Hanover was different in that while in the former location. He was an independent contractor. While in Hanover, he was on the royal payroll and this prohibited hum from having significant growth in his career. In London, he could sell his services and do operas for money. In the long run, he was financing his shows, and he could recruit more musicians and performers from Italy as he sought to make Italian operas prominent in London. He later became a naturalized British citizen by an Act of Parliament in 1727. By 1730, he intensified his efforts to write his music in English, where he wrote pieces such as Israel in Egypt, Saul, and Acis and Galatea. He later wrote Messiah, a piece he performed in 1742 during the Easter and Christmas festivities. Messiah was one of the most celebrated works by Handel, and it is still being played across the globe.

In conclusion, the life of Handel is seen as one that revolved around music. Despite being born in a background where he was expected to venture into civic law, he chose music. His passion and skill were discovered by the Duke during his trip to see his half-brother. This exposure allowed Handel to interact with composers such as Zachow, who was instrumental in nurturing his skill. With time, kings were pursuing him to entertain them in their courts. However, his father and half-brother ensured that he was not absorbed by royalty since the same would lead to his independence. At 19, he got an invitation by one of the Tuscan princes, and he moved to Italy, where he molded his skills in Italian operas. His engagement with Italian music allowed him to engage with artists such as Goupy, who would be instrumental in his career. Italy was significant to his career since he established contacts that allowed him to work and have a successful stay in London. By 1711, his works were performed in some royal events in London. He continued to play his music for the Queen until her death in 1714. George 1 retained him for his services to the royal family, and the same allowed him to establish a lucrative career in London. He was an independent composer and not under the patronage of any authority. After his naturalization as a British citizen, he intensified his work and made London his center of operation until his death.

Bibliography

Dean, Winton, and Anthony Hicks. The New Grove Handel. WW Norton & Company, 1985.

Harris, Ellen T. George Frideric Handel: A Life with Friends. WW Norton & Company, 2014.

Landon, Robbins. Handel and his world. Little, Brown, 1992.