George Frideric

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George Frideric Handel
1685 1759 (Baroque Period)
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Born in Halle, Germany
February 23, 1685
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He taught himself to play the clavichord by age 7.
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Handels father did NOT want him to be a
musician! He wanted George to be a
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He had to smuggle a clavichord into the
attic and practice without his father knowing - -
-Sometimes when he should have
been in bed.
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A duke heard young George play and made his
father promise to provide a music
education for George.
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He also learned to play . . .

• Harpsichord
• Organ
• Violin
• Oboe

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At age 25 he moved to England to write music for
the Royal Family.

• The Water Music
• The Royal Fireworks Music

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Invented the English Oratorio - a long work for
chorus, soloists, and orchestra.
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His most famous oratorio is The Messiah,
featuring The
Hallelujah Chorus
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The King stood up during the Hallelujah Chorus,
so everyone else did, too.
Now, its tradition to stand for the
Hallelujah Chorus!
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He was blind for the last 6 years of his life.
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He is buried in Poets Corner
at Londons Westminster
Abbey.
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Handel is the greatest composer who ever lived.
I would bare my head and kneel at his grave.
Ludwig Van Beethoven
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