George Frideric Handel

George Handel is the second of four tributes that I shall make to men whose anniversaries occur this year (the others being Robert Burns, Charles Darwin and Joseph Haydn).

George Frideric Handel

Handel died in 1759 and is probably best known for his choral music, operas, oratorios (especially the Messiah) but also for orchestral music, including concerti grossi and commissioned works like Music for the Royal Fireworks and the Water Music.

In fact, it was music by Handel, the Largo for his opera Xerxes, that was the first piece of classical music that I was conscious of appreciating. My grandmother used to plonk it out on her piano with arthritic fingers and when the family stayed with her on holiday, it was regarded as a treat that I was allowed listen to it before being to put to bed. You can hear the Largo by clicking here:

Handel's Largo

And for me, Christmas would not be the same without his Messiah playing all afternoon in my kitchen whilst making mince pies and sausage rolls. My favourite number from the oratorio is this (click):

For Unto Us a Child is Born

You may indulge yourself by listening to more of Handel's music by clicking on the links below.

Water Music

Music for the Royal Fireworks

Messiah: Halleujah Chorus

Violin Sonata in E Major