There have been many great composers over the last few centuries who have written amazing works. However, when I think of the all-time great composers widely known today, I think of Johann Sebastian Bach and George Frederick Handel. Both born in the Baroque period, Bach and Handel discover many new elements of music and contributing to what is known as classical music.
Johann Sebastian Bach was born in 1685 in Eisenach, Saxony (Germany). Bach was born into a family of talent and expectations. Bach’s childhood was centered around music, as well as growing up in the church as a Lutheran. Bach was orphaned at the age of ten and raised by his uncle. He had faced many struggles and music was his outlet. He played the organ and the violin and was hired for his first gig as a church organist from 1703 to 1708. At the age of 23, he was appointed the concertmaster of the Duke of Weimar’s court orchestra. Soon after this Bach would spend some time in jail for looking for other employment. This is when in 1723, he was placed in charge of the choirboys, as well as composing and directing weekly for Leipzig’s main churches. Then in 1729, he took another direction with Leipzig’s Collegium Musicum, this is where he works on his music, as well as composing for others. Then in the last decade, he worked mostly on his works, completing many that have become greats works.
Bach was born in the Baroque period that went from approximately the 1600s to the 1750s. The Baroque period is a time when new styles and influences of music came into the light like the concerto, the sonata, and the opera. This was also a huge part and inspiration to the classical music canon that is so widely known and studied today. One of Bach’s widely known organ works is ‘Toccata and Fugue in D minor’. However, the piece was published in 1833 by the efforts of Felix Mendelssohn and attributed the piece to Bach. The piece was restored by Mendelssohn himself. Many recognize the piece because of the bold and powerful opening notes. In the article, ‘Bach: Toccata and Fugue in D Minor’, said this about the opening notes, “The work’s famous opening drew attention and praise already from Schumann, who, however, admired it as an example of Bach’s sense of humor” (‘Bach: Toccata and Fugue in D Minor’). However, in the 20th century, it was viewed more as powerful and bold. The piece was even used in Disney’s 1940 film ‘Fantasia’ and even played in the film ‘20,00 Leagues Under the Sea’.
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George Frederick Handel was born in 1685, like Bach, but in Halle, Saxony (Germany). Handel, like Bach, played the organ ad violin. However, he also played the harpsichord. At nine years old Handel was approached by the Duke of Saxe-Weissenfels because of Handel’s talented skills and had overheard Handel’s playing. He had convinced Handel’s father to let Handel pursue music. Handel eventually started to study with Giovanni Bononcini, a successful opera composer. In 1703, Handel moves to Hamburg to play the violin an the Opera. During this time Handel also gained his first opera commission, because of this he went on an extensive tour of Italy in 1706 to 1709 and successfully gained profit, recognition, and fame. He also composed many cantatas during this time as well. In 1710, he became kapellmeister for George, Elector of Hanover, but was later fired. He moved to England and became a British citizen. From 1711 to 1759 Handel writes many works, including a new style called oratorios. These oratorios become some of Handel’s most famous and loved works, helping him establish his role as a composer.
Handel’s most famous works come from his creation of the oratorios; oratorios are like operas, but have the religious text and no staged action. One of his most famous works is the composition ‘Messiah’, written in 1741. Handel took his work to Dublin, where it was an instant success, before taking it back to England, where it had the same outcome. It instantly became a Christmas favorite and became more popular in the United States than in Britain in the early 19th Century. Handel was a millionaire during this time, which allowed him to use his works like ‘Messiah’ to donate to his favorite charities.
Now both these great composers have such outstanding differences which makes them both so special as individuals. Both composers were born in 1685 less than 100 miles of each other. These two are musical genesis of the Baroque period, however with two different perspectives. Bach never traveled outside of Germany and gained his reputation through the jobs he had obtained. He never became wealthy, but took care of his family. Unlike Bach, Handel was a millionaire by his time of death and was never married. He traveled all over and gained a reputation through experiences and opportunities. Both men suffered from being blind, and it is believed these two may have undergone eye surgery by the same man, John Taylor. Both men mastered the Baroque period and the characteristics of the musical concepts that evolved during this time. This is what gave them both the reputation of being considered the greatest composers of all time.
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